ASX-listed wage advance play Beforepay says it added almost 20,000 new customers in the first three months of the calendar year as it reported an increase in income and a decline in loss rates.

The controversial fintech, which has slid more than 85 per cent in value since it floated on the stock exchange earlier this year, reported a 14 per cent quarterly rise in pay advances from $77 million to $87.9 million as its active users increased to 158,269.