The Lhuillier legacy: A glimpse of the history behind one of the nation’s biggest financial biz, M Lhuillier

When thinking of a trusted local pawnshop and money remittance center, the first name that often comes to Filipinos’ minds is M Lhuillier.

Now known as one of the Philippines’ largest non-bank financial institutions, M Lhuillier has come a long way from its origins: a pawn and jewelry shop in the 1980s in the country’s oldest thoroughfare, Colon Street in Cebu City.

M Lhuillier is one of the Philippines’ largest non-bank financial institutions, whose services include pawn-broking and money remittance. Since its foundation, the company has been run by the Lhuillier family and is headquartered in Cebu City.

M Lhuillier currently has over 3,000 branches nationwide, with locations ranging from commercial areas to smaller communities and far-flung barangays. Beyond services in the Philippines, the company has a presence abroad through collaborations with partners worldwide.

A family behind outstanding services that bridge families—that’s the Lhuillier legacy.

History

M Lhuillier started from a pawn and jewelry shop in the 1980s on the country’s oldest thoroughfare, Colon Street in Cebu City. It was established by Michel Jones Lhuillier (also known as Monsieur Michel) and his wife, Amparito Llamas Lhuillier.

Michel Jones Lhuillier, founder and chairman of the M Lhuillier Group of Companies

Michel Jones Lhuillier is a businessman and philanthropist born to Henry Lhuillier, an Honorary French Consul in the 1970s, and Angelita Escano Jones. Henry Lhuillier and Angelita Escano Jones were also notable figures in jewelry manufacturing, money lending, and candy manufacturing and distribution.

The idea of establishing M Lhuillier was inspired by the first chain of pawnshops in 1935, which were called “agencias” in the Philippines. The M Lhuillier pawn and jewelry shop then marked the foundation of the M Lhuillier Group of Companies.

Organization

Monsieur Michel Lhuillier currently sits as the chairman of M Lhuillier Financial Services Inc. Meanwhile, his son, Michael Llamas Lhuillier, leads the company’s operations as its CEO and President.

(L-R) Michael Llamas Lhuillier, CEO and President of M Lhuillier Financial Services Inc and Michael James Lhuillier, head of Corporate Finance

Michael Llamas Lhuillier’s son, Michael James Lhuillier, joined the company as its head of Corporate Finance.

Services

M Lhuillier’s list of financial services includes quick cash loans, money remittance and transfers, foreign currency exchange, digital wallet app ML Wallet, loyal customers rewards card ML Diamond Card, ML Express, ML Jewellers, and ML insurance plans through M Lhuillier General Insurance Agency, Inc.

The company also ventured into logistics solutions via ML Moves, as well as telco, gaming, and TV loading via electronic load or credit purchasing.

Through the years, M Lhuillier’s has developed a number of trustworthy and reliable financial services.

M Lhuillier expanded its reach outside the non-bank financial market. From M Lhuillier pawnshops, the biz has since transformed into the ML Group of Companies—an organization with several labels in different industries under its wing. It includes Mont St. Michel drinking water, El Mar resort and spa, Maria Louisa Estate Park, ML Taxi Service, and Pizzeria Michaelangelo.

The company also operates in sectors like property development and construction, farming and food manufacturing, bottled water, wines, and gourmet product distribution. Additionally, it runs the famous Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen, Cebu. Considered the largest zoological park in the Philippines, Cebu Safari and Adventure Park opened in 2017.

Social responsibility

M Lhuillier gives back to the community through social responsibility projects like blood donation.

M Lhuillier also established a non-profit entity called ML Cares Foundation to support multiple charitable activities. Through the years, the foundation led initiatives like livelihood programs, communal garden projects, an Adopt-a-School program, tree-planting programs, and community health programs.