UnionBank first universal bank in PH to offer virtual asset exchange services via mobile banking app

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is now poised to become the first universal banking entity in the country to offer virtual asset exchange services through its mobile banking app, marking another major milestone towards future-proofing the bank while creating customer-centric solutions powered by technology and innovation. 

Through the new feature, UnionBank customers can now purchase and sell Bitcoin (BTC) directly from the UnionBank mobile banking app without the need for a third-party virtual asset wallet. This eliminates the need for multiple apps and makes buying and selling BTC easier and convenient like never before.

The new feature will be rolled out to randomly pre-selected UnionBank customers, who will be able to see the Virtual Asset functionality in their app. The launch is in compliance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) regulation on Virtual Asset Services, with the Bank eyeing a wider roll-out in the near future.

With blockchain a major component of its future-proofing strategy, UnionBank has been hard at work in exploring new use cases for the said technology and its offshoots such as cryptocurrency. This also aligns with the Bank's efforts in expanding its footprint in the metaverse, after its first entry into the space through its partnership with homegrown NFT game Ark of Dreams last April. The Bank is also eyeing the launch of the country’s first-ever Metaverse Center of Excellence sometime in the next few months.

UnionBank, Leon Gallery host timely discussion on NFT art

PH-first virtual asset over-the-counter service by UnionBank among highlights of discussion

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and The Leon Gallery, among the most prestigious auction houses in the country, recently hosted a discussion on non-fungible token or NFT art.  Focus was on how NFTs continue to reshape the art scene, and how artists and art collectors can easily navigate the emerging space.

The timely talk was held during an exhibition by Filipino abstract artist Jose Antonio Reyes, also known as JAR.  Prior to this, The Leon Gallery also showcased the works of JAR last July 18 and the collection was sold out within its opening day. This was a follow up of the artist’s previous NFT art collection, JAR Heads, successfully launched on the Cardano Network with over 1 million in ADA sales in the secondary market in the span of only six months.

RJ Dela Cruz and Migui Planas of UnionBank's Digital Asset Markets Unit (DAMU) joined Reyes in the discussions. During the talk, JAR shared how NFT art enabled him to have people around the world appreciate and gain access to his art, and how this space can afford similar opportunities to other traditional artists.

Meanwhile, NFT expert Planas gave a 101 on NFT art, including how NFTs are made, and how beginners can competently traverse the NFT art space. DAMU Head Dela Cruz, on the other hand, zeroed in on UnionBank’s activities and developments in the blockchain, crypto, and NFT spaces. He discussed the Bank’s journey into the emerging space, as well as his personal transition from traditional finance into the world of digital assets.

One of the highlights of Dela Cruz' talk was UnionBank's Virtual Asset Over-the-Counter (VA OTC) Service, another industry first, which was designed to help people enter the emerging NFT art space much easier. UnionBank is the first and only bank in the Philippines to offer this type of service, further strengthening the Bank’s position as the country's leader in blockchain innovation.

"Through its VA OTC service, UnionBank provides both artists and collectors alike with trustworthy platform for buying and selling NFT art," said Atty. Tonico Manahan, a well-known art collector. "While there are many ways for people to fund their wallets to buy NFT art or transact with crypto, buying and selling with the help of a well-established bank ensures that every crypto transaction is secure."

"It's a way for beginners to have peace of mind in entering the perceived volatile space given that transacting with a regulated financial institution such as a bank would be secure," Reyes added.

To know more about UnionBank's VA OTC service and other solutions related to NFTs, please send an email to digitalassets@unionbankph.com. 

Allianz PNB Life continues to secure the future of Filipinos through sustainability with latest tree planting initiative

Allianz PNB Life, together with its banking partner Philippine National Bank (PNB) and the ABS-CBN Foundation, strengthened its commitment to securing the future of Filipinos through sustainability with its recently-concluded “Protect A Hectare” tree planting project. The activity was held last July 23, Saturday, at the La Mesa Nature Reserve.

The “Protect a Hectare” project aims to help in the growth of the forest canopy, which will contribute to the conservation and preservation of water for the La Mesa Watershed. To kick off the tree planting event, the PNB Cycling Club, joined by Allianz PNB Life’s Chief Marketing Officer Gino Riola, cycled from the PNB head office in Pasay to La Mesa, Quezon City. Jerseys bearing the Allianz and PNB logos were given to the bikers as a token of the organizations’ collaborative endeavor.

“This activity serves as a reminder that securing the future is a team effort,” said Riola. “We are very grateful to the ABS-CBN Foundation for joining us, and we congratulate them on the great work that they do for the communities they serve. We really wanted to share the joy and purpose in tree planting with our colleagues in order to foster strong engagement within our company. But more than that, we also want to convey our dedication to sustainability, as well as nurture the existing partnership between Allianz PNB Life and PNB.”

CitySavings co-creates a safe school environment with Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte through Brigada Eskwela

LIGTAS NA BALIK-ARAL: City Savings Bank supports the Department of Education (DepEd) advocacy for a safe school environment through the Brigada Eskwela program. DepEd officials led by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (2nd from left) and Usec. Legislative Affairs and International Cooperation Office Gerard Chan (leftmost) interacts with external partners during the Brigada Eskwela National Kick-off at Imus Pilot Elementary School, Imus, Cavite last August 1, 2022. 

As the country prepares for the gradual resumption of face-to-face (F2F) classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) together with its external partners launched Brigada Eskwela 2022 with the theme “Tugon sa Hamon ng Ligtas na Balik-Aral” at Imus Pilot Elementary School, Imus, Cavite last August 1.

Why it’s important to turn off your debit card when not in use

Avoid unauthorized purchases from your EastWest debit card with the On/Off security feature

With sales and offers in your favorite stores and e-commerce sites happening all the time, it’s more than likely that you’ll constantly be using your debit card for your purchases.

As you’re increasingly relying on the convenience of your debit card, it’s always good to take extra precautions in protecting your account and card details, like your account/card number, card CVV, expiry date, online/mobile log-in details, and OTP.

AXA Philippines supports marine environmental education through Emma by AXA

AXA has long been guided by its sustainability pillars centered around climate change and biodiversity, as well as inclusive protection. In the Philippines, the company has partnered with numerous groups and causes that share the same advocacy. This August, AXA Philippines is partnering with Oceanus Conservation, a science-based non-profit environmental organization focusing on the conservation and restoration of blue carbon habitats in the Philippines, to promote ocean literacy to Filipino children.

Being an archipelago, the Philippines has a rich biodiversity. However, access to marine environmental education remains limited around the country. Oceanus aims to invest in the future of Filipinos through marine environmental education in local communities and marine-field programs that promote better appreciation of the country’s marine life. Recently, they launched their second educational children’s storybook, “Ocean Adventures with Cory,” that shines a light on the impact of climate change on coral reefs.

UBX returns to The Final Pitch, drives open finance, financial inclusion agenda

UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, is back on CNN Philippines’ The Final Pitch (TPF) with a stronger drive to promote its mission of empowering startups and smaller players with open finance solutions in pursuit of its goal of including everyone. 

UBX President & CEO John Januszczak will serve as one of the investor-judges supported by UBX Chief Product Officer Anne Yosuico, and UBX Singapore Country Head Cyrus Cruz who will both serve as members of the investor team on the show’s eighth season, which will be focusing on tech innovations in the business industry. 

UnionBank completes the acquisition of Citigroup’s consumer banking business in the Philippines

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has completed the acquisition of Citi’s consumer banking business in the Philippines on August 1, 2022. The official signing was led by UnionBank president and chief executive officer Edwin R. Bautista (3rd from left), and Citi Philippines chief executive officer and country officer Aftab Ahmed (4th from left.) They are joined by (left to right) Consumer bank head Manoj Varma, UnionBank chief customer experience officer and chief digital channels officer Ana A. Delgado, Citi Philippines country counsel Atty. Pia Lacson and UnionBank treasurer and global markets head Jose Emmanuel Hilado.

Handy Nutrition Hack for A Healthier You

We’ve all been there–raring to eat healthy but falter when we do our grocery runs. With the sea of available food choices, navigating through the aisles can be a dizzying chore. Here are a few tips to help you skip the stress and fill your cart with healthier food choices!

Lemons pack a punch

Looking to level up your cooking? Lemons help you lose weight and boost your immune system–one lemon alone contains half your daily dose of vitamin C. Squeeze them on top of your favorite dish to add extra zest, or dunk a few slices in a jar for a refreshing glass of lemon-infused water.

UBX partners with WomenBizPH, SeedIn to boost women-led enterprises in PH

UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, cemented its role in empowering women in business by signing a groundbreaking partnership agreement with Women’s Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH), the leading voice of women in Commerce, and mobile financing powerhouse SeedIn.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the three groups will collaborate to build a Women-to-Women (W2W) Investment and Lending Portfolio, a basket of financial assets that will help empower Filipino women to become successful entrepreneurs. 

RLC Residences is heading to Ironman 70.3 in Cebu this August!

Witness RLC Residences raise the bar yet again as it joins this year's most awaited global triathlon event in Cebu as part of the run leg.

"We are thrilled to be part of this year's event, as this symbolizes how RLC Residences has come full circle in the game of elevating the lives of people whom we build condominiums for," RLC Residences Head of Marketing and Chief Integration Officer,  Karen Cesario shares.

Not many know, but RLC Residences has been part of the first Ironman held in Cebu in 2012, through its project AmiSa Private Residences. AmiSa Private Residences, a destination home located in Mactan, Cebu has since then been part of this three-part race, welcoming triathletes as they take on the course's run phase along the breathtaking views of the Punta Engano coastline.  

The Amisa Private Residences has been part of the run course of the IRONMAN 70.3 since it moved to Cebu in 2012.

UnionBank completes the acquisition of Citigroup’s consumer banking business in the Philippines

UnionBank of the Philippines announced today that it has  completed the acquisition of Citi’s consumer banking business in the Philippines. 

Ana A. Delgado, Chief Customer Experience Officer and Chief Digital Channel Officer,  said, ”This acquisition accelerates our goal of becoming a great consumer bank in the  Philippines with one of the most diversified consumer banking portfolios among the listed  banks today. With the acquisition of the Citi consumer business, we are now strong across  three consumer businesses, namely: credit cards, salary / personal loans and mortgage  loans” 

Edwin R. Bautista, President and Chief Executive Officer of UnionBank, highlighted that, “I  cannot over emphasize how this is a game changer for UnionBank, its customers and its  employees. We are now a much larger consumer bank. We added a consumer portfolio  that is well-run and very profitable. This will provide us better margins and allow us to  maintain our industry-leading ROE moving forward. Over 1,500 top talents from Citi,  including its Senior Management Team, will be joining UnionBank. This further deepens  our leadership bench. I am confident that, together, we will be able to bring the best  customer experience and serve many more market segments and communities through  innovation and collaboration” 

Nexplay and UnionDigital Bank announce exclusive partnership to empower PH gaming community

Leading Southeast Asian esports and video game content ecosystem Nexplay and UnionDigital Bank, the digital bank entity of UnionBank, have signed an exclusive partnership that aims to offer more convenient digital financial services for Filipino gamers.

“UnionDigital Bank is driven to further empower the Philippines’ digital economy. Our partnership with Nexplay allows us to offer our financial services to today’s Filipino gamers, enabling them more by giving access to a digital bank account. We are looking forward to this collaboration with Nexplay to propel our higher purpose - Tech-ing Up today’s generation of Filipinos, especially gamers,” said Arvie De Vera, Co-founder and CEO of UnionDigital Bank.

LOOK: These hybrid cars let you save the environment and some pocket money while traveling!

Mobility has become more than just going from point A to point B.  In the Philippines, more things have to be considered when traveling such as road traffic, faster routes, fuel expenses, and environmental hazards. With that, more and more alternatives have been introduced such as walking, cycling, and driving electric vehicles.

For the same reasons, Philippine Saving Bank (PSBank) partnered with Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) to offer Say Hi To Hybrid Auto Loan Promo, making Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) like Toyota’s Corolla Cross 1.8V Hybrid and Corolla Altis 1.8V Hybrid CVT more accessible to Filipinos. For its technology, HEVs are easily a better option for sustainable transportation.

Score great deals on gadgets at Home Credit’s Back to School, Back to Sulit Big-time Sale

Start the school year with a blast at Home Credit’s big-time sale with 0% interest on select items, running until September 15!

This school year marks a new beginning for students as they gradually return to school to see their schoolmates, teachers, and friends in person after more than two years. While other schools will remain online, one thing remains the same — a reliable device is essential for schoolwork in both face-to-face and learn-from-home setups.