PitchIt Podcast #62: Charles Phillips of Sawa Credit

On episode 62 I talk with Charles Phillips, Founder & CEO of Sawa Credit. Sawa Credit is creating a community debt servicing technology platform to help the underserved pay their bills so they don’t lose their homes.

Keeping people in their homes can have a profound impact, not only on the individual household but also on the community. Sawa ensures people stay in their homes with the help of the community.

Charles Phillips
Charles Phillips

The concept dates back to Charles’s childhood when his father ran the local church. He was able to offer help to his local community through the church. That sense of community is what drives the mission of Sawa. 

Charles and I discuss the impact of George Floyd’s murder on Sawa’s founding story, why the community should be the 5th C in accessing credit, paying it forward, credit scoring and the credit systems, raising capital, and a whole lot more.

Without further ado, I present Charles Phillips, Founder & CEO of Sawa Credit. I hope you enjoy the episode and be prepared to learn:

  • Charles’s journey to Sawa Credit
  • The meaning behind the word Sawa
  • The impact of his father and how he ran the local church
  • The importance of community
  • The 5 C’s of credit
  • The credit scoring system and character
  • The partnership with Comment Cents Lab
  • The underserved debt market is $140bn annually
  • Helping to crowd out predatory lenders
  • How to get people talking about money with good information
  • Raising capital
  • “Be quick but don’t hurry”
  • “Plan B is no plan”
  • Recommended reading: The Once and Future King by T. H. White
  • And much more…
  • Todd Anderson

    Todd is the host of PitchIt: the fintech startups podcast, a weekly interview show featuring emerging fintech founders and leading venture capitalists. He is responsible for leading the content team which covers fintech through daily & weekly email newsletters, editorial, virtual events, and in-person conferences. He has been covering fintech, banking, and venture capital for more than 15 years, including speaking regularly at industry events.