Founded in 2016, First Circle is the fastest-growing fintech in the Philippines, led by an ex-Morgan Stanley and ex-Bridgewater Associates management team. We have offices in Manila, London and Hong Kong.
First Circle offers SME financing and are building smart banking solutions for businesses.
First Circle is a trusted partner of the Philippine government and is the official Finance Partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). We are also a pioneer data provider to the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) and the very first FinTech company to ever be licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
4
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: I've found the base salary for an Account Manager at this Fintech startup to be pretty competitive. It's a decent amount for the SME financing industry in Makati City. They do offer health insurance, which is a plus.
Cons: Beyond the basic health plan, there aren't many other benefits offered. I wish the retirement plan options were more robust. Bonuses can be inconsistent, even for hitting targets in sales roles.
Advice to Management: Consider enhancing the benefits package beyond basic health insurance. Clearer guidelines on performance bonuses would also be greatly appreciated by the team.
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Pros: The team culture is really strong; everyone helps each other out. I learned a lot about customer service in a fast-paced fintech environment. Hybrid work from the Manila office was a decent perk too.
Cons: Career growth for Client Relations Specialist roles felt really stagnant. There wasn't a clear path for promotions or skill development beyond the initial training. It felt like you hit a wall pretty quickly.
Advice to Management: Create clearer progression paths and offer more training opportunities for individual contributors. It would help a lot with retention for core roles.
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Pros: The founders and senior leaders are passionate about our mission in SME lending. They're generally open to hearing ideas, especially as an Account Manager. There's a decent push for innovation in the fintech space.
Cons: Communication from the top leadership team can be pretty inconsistent. Decisions often feel slow, which is tough in our fast-moving startup environment. Sometimes it's hard to know the exact strategy for our Makati City office.
Advice to Management: Try to set clearer expectations and communicate changes more consistently. Faster decision-making would really help us move forward, especially in a competitive fintech market.
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What is the typical working culture like at First Circle for a junior software engineer in Manila?
First Circle fosters a collaborative and fast-paced environment, common in tech startups focused on financial inclusion. Engineers often work in cross-functional teams, emphasizing open communication and continuous learning to tackle complex challenges in the fintech sector.
What is the typical work culture like at First Circle, especially for junior roles in the tech industry?
First Circle fosters a collaborative and fast-paced work culture, particularly within its tech teams. Junior employees often find opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and contribute meaningfully to projects from the outset.
What is the general working culture like at First Circle, especially for roles in fintech in the Philippines?
The culture at First Circle is generally collaborative and fast-paced, reflecting its startup environment within the Philippine fintech sector. Employees often experience a strong sense of teamwork and a direct impact on the company's growth.
What is the management style like at First Circle, especially for a junior analyst role in the fintech industry?
Management at First Circle fosters an environment where junior analysts are given autonomy and clear direction. Expect regular one-on-one meetings with your manager to discuss progress and development, supporting a structured yet collaborative working culture.
What is First Circle's policy on remote work for roles like software engineers in the Philippines?
First Circle offers a hybrid work model, allowing employees like software engineers to work from home a few days a week. This flexibility is designed to support work-life balance while maintaining team collaboration for our operations in the Philippines.
