Asia Leaders Awards 2022 Winners Honored at Historic The Manila Hotel

Asia Leaders Awards (ALA) 2022—TAG Media Group’s flagship event—concluded its year-long nomination and selection of the Philippines’ top achievers in various industries with awarding ceremonies held at historic The Manila Hotel on November 22, 2022 with the attendance of 4 ambassadors from Belgium, New Zealand, Romania and Israel as presenters. 

To date, the ALA is the largest business award-giving body in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia whose main objective is to promote the Philippines as a premier business hub and destination in Asia. In addition, to inspire us all. 

Pioneer AIM grads celebrate golden jubilee with book launch

Rigorous as it is to gain entry into the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), it doesn’t hurt to have enormous intellect and cojones to let alone to survive once you get in.

AIM is explicit in its qualifications:

“We look for candidates who possess the resilience and capacity to graduate from the Institution’s programs. Admissions test scores are one way to measure quantitative, verbal, and reasoning skills necessary for successfully completing studies at the graduate level.

CitySavings celebrates growth as leading motorcycle lender in the Philippines

DRIVEN TO SUCCEED: City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) celebrates its exceptional growth in the motorcycle loans market at the Motor Mo’to Dealers’ Night 2022 last September 23 at Revel at The Palace, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. (L-R) CitySavings EVP - Motorcycle Loans Business Head Ret. Adm. Feliciano “Felix” Angue, CitySavings President and CEO Lorenzo “Larry” Ocampo, UnionBank President and CEO and CitySavings Vice Chairman Edwin Bautista, CitySavings SEVP - Chief Operating Officer Manuel "Chut" Santiago, Jr., and CitySavings Board of Directors Jose Julio and Maria Noemi Azura toast to mark this momentous occasion.

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) subsidiary City Savings Bank (CitySavings) recently hosted the “Motor Mo’to Dealers’ Night 2022”, a celebratory event to honor its exceptional growth into one of the largest motorcycle loan lenders in the country. It was held last September 23 at Revel at The Palace, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

UnionDigital Bank Opens its Future Headquarters During the Country’s First Innovation Festival in San Pedro, Laguna

Last September 9, 2022, UnionDigital Bank formally inaugurated its future headquarters in the UnionBank Innovation Campus in San Pedro, Laguna with the President of the Philippines, Mr. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., in attendance. 

In addition to serving as the future main office of UnionDigital Bank, the Innovation Campus will also house various centers of innovation including UnionBank institutes on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and the Asian Institute of Digital Transformation (AIDT). 

The campus was inaugurated during the country’s first Innovation Festival, a three-day event that showcased UnionBank’s and UnionDigital Bank’s partners in financial technology innovation, offering a behind the scenes look at some of the bank’s exciting new developments in the space. 

3 Reasons Why You’ll Need Affordable Fund Transfer Fees

No matter the reason, it’s easier and more hassle-free with EastWest’s low transaction fees

Sending funds online has become more of a necessity in this digital world. The ongoing presence of the pandemic and the press of busy schedules can make going to banks increasingly difficult. This is where easy and affordable online fund transfer systems can come in. With an app like this in hand, you can take control of your time and process your fund transfer needs easily online.

More metaverse innovations to be expected at Web3 Hackathon – UBX

UBX, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, has collaborated with globally renowned Filipino-led web3 companies in the world, Yield Guild Games (YGG) and Xave Finance, to organize the Web3 Hackathon, an official side event of the first ever Philippine Web3 Festival, to be held on November 12 to 13, 2022 in Makati City. 

The Philippine Web3 Festival is a week-long premier event, which will showcase everything that the Philippines has to offer in the metaverse. Powered by the biggest players in the metaverse, the festival will bring the brightest minds and most renowned thought leaders in the industry together. Co-presenters of the Hackathon are GCash, Globe, and MetaverseGo, it’s also supported by Archipelago Labs and BreederDAO. 

Take a glimpse of premium leisure living at Periveo Lipa City

Golden Home Realty, an HG-III Construction & Development Corp. affiliate, recently unveiled the three model house units of its Periveo project in Lipa City, Batangas. This 42-hectare development will offer modern contemporary homes with generous living spaces, a wide array of resort-style amenities, and future commercial features, all surrounded by nature. 

Periveo draws its name from the Greek prefix ‘peri’ and the Spanish word ‘veo’, which translates to ‘all near and within view’. Periveo aims to build a community of access, mobility, and charm — all for the good life. Future homeowners will have first-hand experience with what it’s like to live in Periveo. 

UnionBank Partners with Lazada to Launch Quick Gives

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and Lazada Philippines (Lazada) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Quick Gives, to offer more flexibility in payment methods for UnionBank payroll customers in the Lazada app. 

The Quick Gives Program will provide loans to pre-selected UnionBank payroll accounts, currently accessible through a microsite. These quick loans will be approved in real-time and disbursed to the borrower’s Lazada Wallet within two days or less. 

Allianz PNB Life reveals brand-new RideSafe Mural, upholds commitment to sustainable transport and health protection

Allianz PNB Life upholds its commitment to sustainable transport and health protection through the recent reveal of the brand-new Allianz Ride Safe Mural. The mural can be found at the Apartment Ridge Underpass in Ayala, Makati.

Prominent Allianz PNB Life executives like President and CEO Alexander Grenz and Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Sustainability Gino Riola were present at the unveiling, as were Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, Makati Business Club Chairman Edgar Chua, AyalaLand Marketing Head Chrissy Roa, and LT Group Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Lucio Tan III. Other guests include Economic Counsellor of the German Embassy David Klebs, Cong. Jose Francisco Benitez from the Third District of Negros Occidental, Head of Makati Central Estate Association (MACEA) Engr. Getty Granada, and star athletes and Allianz PNB Life brand ambassadors EJ Obiena and Alyssa Valdez. Glendford Lumbao, the rising Filipino artist commissioned by the organization for the creation of the mural, was also in attendance.

“It’s a beautiful piece of art that really captures the depth of Ride Safe’s sustainability message,” said Riola. “Cycling is not just a lifestyle change that vastly improves people’s health. It also contributes greatly to the reduction of carbon emissions and vehicular pollution, and it encourages a sense of belonging in a community that shares in your advocacy. Seeing the mural, it’s a concrete reminder of all these things.”

Allianz PNB Life’s Ride Safe Mural project was done in partnership with AyalaLand, the Makati Business Club, and MACEA. The mural shows the organizations’ dedication to supporting initiatives that make a difference, as well as uplifting the work of local artists and their advocacies.

“I am so honored to be part of Allianz PNB Life’s sustainability advocacy, it is something I deeply care about and believe in, too,” said Lumbao. “The point of the mural is to make people, especially bikers and pedestrians, stop, look, and appreciate the beauty of the world they live in. Ride Safe is all about promoting sustainability through biking, so hopefully, the mural touches people enough that they start making little changes in their lives that will impact the planet in a good way.”

The Allianz Ride Safe Mural is not the first time Allianz PNB Life has shown its support, both for local art and sustainability. In 2021, Allianz PNB Life partnered with the City of Manila to install bike racks that were creatively designed to reflect the rich history and culture of locations like Rajah Sulayman Park, Kartilya ng Katipunan, and Intramuros.

Additionally, Ride Safe has birthed other sustainable projects, such as a solar-powered pit stop and Ride Safe Bike Lanes along Ortigas Avenue in partnership with the City of San Juan, and The BikeYard, a dedicated hangout place with bike repair facilities for cyclists in Bonifacio Global City.

Allianz PNB Life has also expressed plans to expand Ride Safe further to include skills improvement and livelihood opportunities through bike mechanic training.

“I am very thankful to Glendford for sharing his talent with us by creating such a striking mural,” said Grenz. “Likewise, big thank you as well to AyalaLand, Makati Business Club, the City of Makati and MACEA for coming together with us to make this project possible.”

“Art is a wonderful medium that we have used in the past to communicate the importance of prioritizing one’s health and taking care of the environment, first with the bike racks, and now through this mural,” Grenz added. “It is a creative and effective way of inspiring Filipinos to think about the state of the planet today, and encourage them to do what they can to secure the future, both on a personal level and on a large scale. I hope it touches many people and sparks a need for positive change.”

For more information on Allianz PNB Life’s Ride Safe campaign, as well as its other products and services, please visit www.allianzpnblife.ph.

Balik Yuhum! Elevate your Masskara experience this year with Home Credit

The Philippines is known to be a happy country. Everywhere you go, you see people break into their warm smiles despite the hidden storms they need to weather. Jeepney drivers, security guards, peddlers, and your Pinoy folks are simply a ray of sunshine. But that’s not the country’s only pride. The Filipino culture is a mix of rich, vibrant, and spirited history and traditions, having a total of 42,000 festivals including both major and minor events that the locals so wholeheartedly celebrate.

One of its famous and world-class festivities is the Masskara Festival originating all the way from Bacolod, the “City of Smiles”. Having been put to a halt for two years given the global pandemic, the province is more than ready to host its vivacious month-long celebration.

CitySavings, DAR sign Government Employee Loan Agreement

REDY TO SERVE: CitySavings President and CEO Lorenzo T. Ocampo and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III proudly show the signed Memorandum of Agreement between the parties that officially kickstarts the Government Employee Loan Program for DAR. Together with them are CitySavings FVP - Salary Loans Business Head, Julian Aboitiz, and DAR Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) Jesry T. Palmares.

Allianz PNB Life ranked 3rd among life insurance companies based on latest PH Insurance Commission statistics

Allianz PNB Life recently ranked third in terms of Gross Written Premium (GWP) and New Business Annualized Premium Equivalent (NBAPE) in the Philippine Insurance Commission’s (IC) latest performance report for the first and second quarter of 2022.

Allianz PNB Life has performed consistently year on year. In 2021, it ranked fourth under the same categories, while in 2020, the company was listed as 7th in GWP and 8th in NBAPE.

“Insurance penetration is only at 2% in the Philippines and remains one of the lowest in Asia. There is heightened awareness for the importance of insurance however and we continue to enhance our efforts to become the trusted insurance partner of Filipinos,” said Allianz PNB Life President and CEO, Alexander Grenz. “We are grateful to our customers and partners for choosing us every day and propelling our organization to the Top 3 position in both GWP and NBAPE especially considering how we were 10th and 11th respectively when I assumed the role of CEO in 2019.”

Pru Life UK opens new general agency offices in Mega Manila to serve more Filipinos

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK continues to make life and health protection products even more accessible to Filipinos as it recently opened several agency offices in Metro Manila and Laguna. 

Alpine Falcon Life Insurance Agency Inc. opened its office at B-12, Regalena Building, 9049 National Highway, Brgy. Turbina, Calamba, Laguna to serve more of Pru Life UK's customers.  

Meanwhile, two general agency offices welcomed Pru Life UK customers in Makati City. Skyeline Summit Life Insurance Agency Inc. unveiled its office at Sfo-D (2d) Classica Condominium, 112 H.V. Dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village and Rising Eagle Dynasty Life Insurance Agency Inc. started operations at Unit D, Ground Floor, Belvedere Tower Bdlg., San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

P1 Million cash credits and other exciting prizes up for grabs with UnionBank's Play2Win Raffle Promo

UnionBank Credit Cardholders, we have a treat just for you! Get the chance to win exciting prizes and P1 Million worth of cash credits with UnionBank's Play2Win Raffle Promo!

To join, all you have to do is register one-time by clicking the PLAY2WIN image featured on the UnionBank website homepage and all your qualified spend using your UnionBank Credit Card after successful registration will earn Playcodes that you can use for UnionBank's Play2Win matching game! There is no minimum spend required; every single use of your UnionBank Credit Card will give you one (1) Playcode. It's that easy!

Spend and play the matching game for a chance to win amazing prizes such as an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, an iPad Mini 6th Gen, a 13-inch M1 2020 MacBook Air, and many more!

That's not all. Each qualified transaction also entitles you to one (1) entry to the Play2Win raffle, where you can be one of the two (2) lucky winners of P1 Million worth of cash credits! This will be credited to the winning UnionBank Credit Card and can be used for shopping, dining, airline tickets, luxury getaways, or even for your daily necessities.

UBX sets up advocacy body to champion development of inclusive open finance framework in PH

UBX, the financial technology (fintech) venture studio of the Aboitiz Group, is setting up a foundation that will champion the development of an inclusive Open Finance Framework in the Philippines. 

To be called the Philippine Open Finance Foundation, the institution aims to make the adoption of open finance as a technology that empowers Filipino consumers with the right set of financial tools and solutions for their needs. 

“They say it takes a village to raise a child, and since Open Finance in the Philippines is still infancy, UBX has decided to launch a shared village we call the Philippine Open Finance Foundation,” UBX Managing Director for Open Finance Jaime Garchitorena said at the Singapore Fintech Festival on 2 November, Wednesday. 

The Philippine Open Finance Foundation will bring together relevant stakeholders, including other financial institutions, government agencies, non-government organizations, civic groups, and the academe to come up with meaningful initiatives that will support the development of Open Finance in the Philippines. 

UBX leads multi-sectoral initiative to drive accelerated digital transformation in PH government

#DigiPinas Initiative to capacitate national, local governments with digital tools and solutions to bring services closer to Filipinos 

UBX, the financial technology (fintech) venture studio of the Aboitiz Group, is leading the multi-sectoral initiative that will drive the accelerated digital transformation in government to help bring essential and critical services closer to Filipinos. 

On Thursday, October 27, UBX officially introduced the Digital Transformation ng Pilipinas (#DigiPinas) Initiative, a multi-stakeholder advocacy group that will work closely with all relevant stakeholders towards the digital transformation of the country.

EastWest and JCB: Celebration of a Partnership

EastWest (EW), and JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCB), executives celebrate the partnership of the new EastWest JCB Credit Card. From (L-R): EW VP and Digital and Consumer Business Systems Head Efren O. Dela Cruz; EW FVP and Credit Cards Business Head Aylwin P. Tamayo; EW President Jacqueline S. Fernandez; EW Vice Chairman and CEO Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr; JCB President and COO Yoshiki Kaneko; JCB Philippines Country Manager Yusuke Matsui; and JCB EVP and Asean Business Development Head Hiroyuki Katano

East West Banking Corporation and JCB International Co., Ltd. have recently sealed a partnership for the launch of the new EastWest JCB Credit Card. 

UnionBank earns PCI-DSS certification for 5th straight year

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) once again has been recently certified to the Payment Card Industry-Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). This marks the fifth consecutive year that the Bank was able to earn the said certification. UnionBank also remains to be the only local commercial bank that is PCI-DSS compliant, giving it an advantage over other debit and credit card providers in terms of security.

Card fraud remains as one of the biggest threats affecting the global card industry. According to the latest figures from the annual Nielsen Report, card fraud is seen to cost the industry more than $400 billion in losses globally over the next decade. This has also become a major concern for Filipinos especially with the growth of digital payments during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In August, the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) reported that credit card fraud done through digital payment channels rose by 21 percent since the start of the health crisis.

Home Credit named in Circle of Excellence at 2022 Asia CEO Awards

Home Credit’s MarComm, Human Resources, and Operations Teams during the awarding ceremony of 2022 Asia CEO Awards 

Leading consumer finance company Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) was recognized at the 2022 Asia CEO Awards held last October 11 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, with two nominations being included in Circle of Excellence. 

With initiatives focused on creating equal opportunities for its 13,000+ diverse and strong employees and innovating its operations for its Filipino customers, Home Credit was among the few companies that were recognized for the Diversity Company of the Year and Service Excellence Company of the Year categories. 

Security Bank named as top Philippine employer

Security Bank Corporation emerged as the top local bank for employment at the recently released 2023 Philippines’ Best Employers survey led by Statista, the world’s leading data and business intelligence portal. 

The ranking comes from a comprehensive research project that evaluated the responses of thousands of employees in the Philippines from various industries ranging from manufacturing, FMCG, e-commerce, to banking and finance. Companies who employed more than 250 people were eligible for the rankings and from this initiative, the Bank emerged at as the top local bank on the list. 

“Security Bank has made great strides in improving the work culture of its employees and this recognition affirms that we are on the right path. The Bank continues to innovate its people programs to attract, engage, upskill, and retain the best talent, as well as foster a strong and distinctive culture among its employees,” says Nerissa Berba, SVP and Head of Human Capital Management at Security Bank. 

Meron yan! Check out these top-rated items from Home Credit that are fit for every shopper

Home Credit celebrates its 9th anniversary with 9 top-rated items customers can enjoy

Ano ang hanap mo? This is the line that commonly greets us as we shop in stores, malls, and marketplaces. Though most of the time we already have something in mind, sellers can offer tons of choices based on our needs and wants.

Options, options, options—we tend to look at stores that offer various selections. As shoppers, we love to compare and do a little mix and match of the items we are eyeing, ensuring that they align with our personal taste and wallets.

Allianz Global Wealth Report 2022 sees positive outcomes in financial asset growth and insurance coverage for PH

Leading global insurance brand Allianz has recently released its Allianz Global Wealth Report 2022, which compounds facts and figures based on the asset and debt situation of households in almost 60 countries, including the Philippines.

According to the report, 2019 to 2021 saw an exponential boom in the growth of global financial assets, with bullish stock markets powered by monetary policy and an increase in private wealth among households. Asia (excluding Japan), Eastern Europe and North America stood out as major contributors to asset growth, and savings were powered primarily by bank deposits, insurance and pensions.

Pru Life UK wins two Stevie® Awards for its #WeDoESG initiatives

The life insurer was recognized for its financial literacy program and thought leadership efforts on climate change

(From left) Pru Life UK Chief Legal & Government Relations Officer Atty. Em Vallente, Prudence Foundation Regional Programme Manager Pia Warburton, Prudence Foundation Executive Director Marc Fancy, and   Pru Life UK VP for Community Investment and Advocacy Gizelle Camua receiving Pru Life UK’s Silver Stevie awards.