October 09, 1981

A group of Christian businessmen and professionals who shared a common vision of reaching out to the poor established the Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI) which translates to English as "Bridge to Progress". In attendance to the first organizational meeting were David Bussau, Kirk Fowler and Barry Harper, Aurelio Llenado, Dr. Ricardo Jumawan, Dr. Eliseo Pajaro and Lyn Baldemor.

October 20, 1981

TSPI was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a non-profit, community development program.

February 15, 1982

TSPI officially started its operations at the Conservatory Baptist Association of the Philippines (CBAP) headquarters. Its first program was the Individual Lending Assistance Program (ILAP) for small entrepreneurs with business expansion plans that could create jobs for the poor.

1985

TSPI initiated a partners development program by providing technical assistance for the establishment of 6 new NGOs with similar vision and services. The six microfinance NGOs which are still active, pave the way for the delivery of microfinance services to other parts of the Philippines.

1989

The SAKBAYAN Program (" Sasakyan ng Bayan"/ Transport of the Masses) was launched. It targets the transport sector, composed of tricycle drivers and operators whose loans are used for the purchase of tricycle units.

1992

TSPI launched its Kabuhayan (Livelihood ) Program, an adaptation of the Grameen Bank methodology. It caters to poor women who need to start-up, sustain or expand microenterprises.

May 3, 1995

TSPI changed its name from Tulay sa Pag-unlad Inc. to TSPI Development Corporation. The new name seeks to better reflect the emerging character of TSPI as a corporate agent of development seeking to transform lives of significant numbers of the poor through micro and small enterprise development on a viable and sustainable basis.

2001-2002

TSPI turned 20. Motivated, more than ever, by its mission of service complemented by 20 years of success, TSPI established several partnerships to bring about a broader range of services and more efficient way of service delivery to the poor. TSPI partnered with COCOLIFE, a leading local insurance company, to provide micro- insurance coverage to women clients under the Kabuhayan Program. Loan insurance coverage is likewise made available to Small Enterprise Development Program clients through First Guarantee Life Assurance Co., Inc. (First Life) and PLPI Insurance Brokers, Inc. (PIBI).

Working with well-established banks such as the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), TSPI mainstreamed the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in the delivery of microfinance. Both banks, with their respective coverage areas, offer their ATM facilities to enable TSPI clients to withdraw loan funds through ATMs.

TSPI launched an adapted ASA Program as one of its strategies for scaling up. This methodology boasts of a simplified management information system. Technical assistance was provided to TSPI by ASA Bangladesh.

As it aims to serve 500,000 clients by the year 2007, TSPI has drawn up a business plan to establish the TSPI Microfinance Bank. The plan envisions a TSPI that can offer full financial service to the poor, particularly savings mobilization. The plan was submitted to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as part of the application for a bank license.