The Challenge
In Ecuador, most young people are excluded from the formal financial system. Only 20% of under-30s qualify for a loan, not because they’re inactive, but because they lack the conventional collateral banks require—like cars, property, or steady employment. This exclusion creates a dangerous cycle: it limits their ability to grow, launch businesses, or stabilize their lives—despite being active participants in the economy. Banco del Pacífico wanted to reach this segment but faced a deeper issue than just awareness: the product itself was inaccessible.
The Solution
Instead of asking young people to change for the bank, the bank changed for them. Gamer Loan allowed users to use their gaming accounts—already traded for real money on global marketplaces—as collateral. A platform (BancaGamer.com) was created to assess account value using real-time market data, while credit agents manually reviewed submissions and ownership.