A decade of financial opportunities for the Filipinos

Five innovative ways Home Credit became and remains the country’s number one financial ally  

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), one of the Philippines’ leading consumer finance company, has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of delivering Isang Dekadang Saya to the Filipinos. Launched in 2013, the country’s trusted financial ally has now served over 10 million customers to date, and has provided Filipinos with fast and convenient credit and financial access to over 21M loans nationwide.  

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), one of the Philippines’ leading consumer finance companies, is celebrating its 10th anniversary of delivering Isang Dekadang Saya to the Filipinos. Launched in 2013, the country’s trusted financial ally has now served over 10 million customers and has stood as a lifestyle partner of the Filipinos through a continuous journey of innovation and financial opportunities.  

5 Spooky Money Myths Busted with the help of Maya!

This Halloween season, Maya, the #1 digital bank in the Philippines, is ready to unmask your financial fears! We're about to bust some common money myths that have been haunting your money moves. With Maya, you can wave goodbye to these misconceptions and master your money effortlessly. 

Myth #1: “Opening an online bank account is tricky and not safe.” 

Many believe that online bank account opening is complicated and poses security risks. However, with Maya, it's as easy as a few clicks. You can open a savings account without any minimum balance requirement, needing only one valid ID. Maya is not only user-friendly but also safe and secure as it’s regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and deposits are covered by the PDIC up to P500,000, providing peace of mind for your online banking journey.

Holiday Shopping Made Easy!

The holiday season is a joyful time, but it can also be filled with stress, especially when thinking of gift ideas for your loved ones and doing your holiday shopping. The pressure to find the perfect gifts, navigate crowded stores, and manage your budget can turn the season into a headache.  

With some planning, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday shopping experience, discover exciting gift ideas, and even consider convenient payment options to make the most of your budget. These five Wais Tips shared by Home Credit, the country’s leading consumer finance company, can help you breeze through the process of buying presents and avoid the hassle of the holiday rush! 

CitySavings celebrates 100B loan portfolio, continues to elevate lives through financial inclusion

City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings), the thrift arm subsidiary of Aboitiz-led UnionBank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has been serving people of moderate means since 1965.

From a single-product bank focused on teachers’ loans, of which CitySavings is the market leader, it has transformed into a financial institution that offers a wide range of financial products tailored to the mass market segment including motorcycle lending and other salary loan segments. The Bank continues to trailblaze in the thrift banking sector as it celebrates its achievement of a 100 billion loan portfolio owing this milestone to its clients.

“We care deeply for our clients and continuously strive to deliver superior customer experience even during the pandemic. They are the reason for our success and for that, we are immensely grateful to them. With our basic philosophy of ‘Simple is Good’, we will continue to fulfill our purpose of elevating communities through financial inclusion”, shared CitySavings Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo T. Ocampo.

As of August 2023, the thrift bank hit a net income after tax (NIAT) of Php 2.1 billion, generated 72 billion in loan releases, and achieved Return on Equity (ROE) of 16.2%. The thrift bank’s loan portfolio level soared with a 35% year-over-year (YOY) increase at Php 97.5 billion end of month (EOM) and a 31% YOY increase in interest income.

The Bank’s growth and innovation drive has earned recognition in recent years as the 2019 Fastest Growing Savings Bank in the Philippines by the Global Business Outlook, 2020 Best Employer Brand by Employer Branding Institute - India, and the 2021 Philippines Technology Excellence Awardee for its chatbot Talk to Maria at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards.

These accolades were followed by CitySavings being named again as the 2022 Fastest Growing Savings Bank by the International Business Magazine, 2022 Most Innovative Savings Bank, and 2023 Most Customer-Centric Savings Bank by International Finance. The Philippine Daily Inquirer and international market research firm Statista recognized the Bank in its 2023 Philippines Growth Champions list of the top 25 companies that have achieved the highest revenue percentage growth between 2018 and 2021.

Its strategy of offering simple and straightforward banking coupled with warm and helpful service and relevant products has worked favorably for CitySavings. 

The Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to creating innovative solutions to deliver the best customer experience through its digital channels. The Loan Ranger Mobile (LRM) App allows teacher-clients to view their account balances in real-time and apply for a reloan anytime, anywhere. While CitySavings’ chatbot, Talk to Maria offers a convenient 24/7 inquiry service and a seamless new loan application process. Through its parent, UnionBank, CitySavings also rolled out Bank-on-Wheels to make banking services more accessible.

“Our journey through the years has brought many opportunities and challenges but we have managed to do well. In 2022, the Bank delivered above-target financial performance which we, at the CitySavings team, are immensely proud of. This milestone of achieving a 100 billion loan portfolio is a solid testament that we are on our way to becoming the leading mass market bank in the Philippines” CitySavings President Manuel Santiago, Jr. said.

Y Combinator-backed stock trading platform Cera rolls out in the Philippines

Cera's platform makes the US stock market accessible as it allows investing as little as $2

Cera, a US stock trading platform backed by Y Combinator, in partnership with Fireblocks, announced its  Beta launch, allowing Filipinos and anyone anywhere in the world to invest in US stocks using stablecoins.

Cera enables users to invest in US stocks using stablecoins such as USD Coin, Tether (USDT), and Binance USD. Each of these coins is pegged to a value of $1, ensuring stability and eliminating the hassle of complex account setups and international transactions.

Bayad and RCBC, renews partnership, enabling seamless digital financial solutions

CHAMPINONG DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION: Executives of Bayad and RCBC on their partnership signing. Seen in the photo (from L-R) are Bayad Financial Institutions Account Manager Lulu Dela Cruz, Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer, RCBC DiskarTech Executive Vice President & Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer Lito Villanueva, and RCBC Vice President & Head of Usage and Strategic Businesses Michael Christopher Cruz.

The pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines, CIS Bayad Center, Inc. (Bayad) has renewed its partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), enabling inclusive financial services through RCBC Diskartech and RCBC ATM Go.

UnionBank Cardholders Get Pre-Sale Access for Miss Saigon Tickets

Manila, the Heat is On!

The new staging of one of the most iconic musicals of all time takes the stage in the Philippines, and Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is once again giving its cardholders a chance to score tickets before everyone! 

GMG Productions in association with GWB Entertainment, has announced that Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s globally acclaimed new production of Boublil & Schönberg’s Miss Saigon is coming to Manila for the first time this March 2024. Dedicated to bringing top-tier musical entertainment to Manila, GMG Productions has once again partnered with UnionBank to fan the flames of theatrical passion and give its customers exclusive access as the official presenting sponsor and pre-sale partner of Miss Saigon Philippines

From Nanny to Family: The Extraordinary Journey of Luis Manzano and Yaya Cindy

In an era where finding a reliable, dedicated, and responsible kasambahay has become an increasingly complex task, we are reminded of the invaluable role they play in our lives. They are the quiet yet powerful force that enables us to navigate our busy routines and create cherished moments with our loved ones.

Among those who deeply understand the significance of this relationship is Luis Manzano, a multi-talented host, actor, and a prominent figure in the Philippine entertainment industry. Widely celebrated for his charismatic presence and kind-hearted nature, Luis' genuine compassion extends beyond the screen. This compassion is prominently showcased in his role as the host of a popular game show, where he extends a helping hand to contestants and provides support to those who may be facing challenges. This profound understanding of care and support is not limited to the world of showbiz for Luis, it's a value he holds dear in his personal life, exemplified by his enduring bond with his dedicated long-time nanny, Yaya Cindy. She has been an integral part of Luis' life for 27 years, providing unwavering care and support since he was just 15 years old. Her duties range from preparing his clothes to cooking his meals and favorite food as well as to attending to his other needs, a testament to how much a kasambahay can help make an individual's life easier and smoother.

Dynamic Duo Kathryn and Min Bernardo Join AIA Philippines family as their latest Brand Ambassadors

The country’s premier life insurance company, AIA Philippines (formerly AIA Philam Life), recently announced that beloved young actress Kathryn Bernardo and her mother, Min, are now part of the company’s roster of ambassadors.

Kathryn and Min Bernardo were officially introduced to the public through a reveal in the company’s social media assets, giving AIA followers a first peek into Kathryn and Min’s very special vlog. 

The mother and daughter duo gave viewers a glimpse of their personal lives, which have not been previously shared publicly. They stopped by a local ube halaya vendor which made Min reminisce her pregnancy with Kathryn. “Not sure kung alam ninyo ito—kaya ganyan yung skin ni Kath ay dahil pinaglihi ko sya sa ube!” revealed Min. Min also shared their regular after school trips to the bookstore, where Kathryn asked her Mama to buy little trinkets, which she indulged as gift giving is one of her love languages. 

PHINMA Properties emerges as best boutique developer, bags awards for outstanding design and housing developments

PHINMA Properties was recently recognized for its outstanding achievements and commitment to housing development excellence at two prestigious awarding ceremonies, The Outlook 2023 Philippine Real Estate Awards by Lamudi.com.ph and the 11th Philippines Property Awards by Property Guru.

Representing PHINMA Properties at The Outlook 2023 Real Estate Awards were (from left to right): Likha Residences Broker Relations Manager Kates L. Bollina; Likha Sales & Marketing Head Alice Dela Peña; Marketing Officer Teejay R. Arcena; Project Development Manager Jay A. Eusebio; Chief Business Development Officer Francis Z. Villegas; Junior Marketing Manager Madeleine A. Magbanua; and Maayo Project Development Head Terence M. Reyes.

A Game-Changer in Quezon City’s Hospitality Landscape: The Ascott Limited Unveils Citadines Roces Quezon City

The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of its latest serviced residence, Citadines Roces Quezon City, located in the vibrant Quezon City. With its prime location in Don A. Roces Avenue Diliman, Citadines Roces promises to be a premier destination for both business and leisure travelers seeking a comfortable and convenient getaway experience in the heart of Metro Manila. Once completed, Citadines Roces Quezon City holds the potential to establish the Ascott Limited within Quezon City, leading to growth opportunities and further brand awareness to the northern parts of the metro.

Yufin taps UBX to expand Merchants’ payment offerings.

UBX, the Philippines’ leading open finance platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with Yufin, the All-in-One Negosyo app that streamlines the business processes of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the partnership, Yufin will leverage UBX’s technology to offer more digital payment options to small merchants, their shoppers, and suppliers as they venture into the digital economy. The partnership allows UBX to scale up its operations further to cater to a larger network of Filipinos.

10 Shopping Deals U Wouldn’t Want to Miss This September

Are you waiting for 10.10 deals to “check out” your cart? Good news! We have deals that you can take advantage of right now! Whether you’re looking to do some extra early Christmas shopping or simply want to treat yourself, you’ll surely enjoy these shopping offers with your UnionBank Credit Card.

Deal of the Day

10% off at Lazada every Friday: until December 29, 2023

Here’s another reason to love Fridays. Save 10% (up to P400) on your Lazada purchase every Friday from 12PM to 2PM for a minimum spend of P3,000.

10% discount at Shopee every Wednesday: until December 27, 2023

Home Credit PH recognizes 10-millionth customer, commemorates 10 years of being the Filipinos’ financial ally

To celebrate Isang Dekadang Saya of being the Filipinos’ financial ally, Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, has recently recognized its ten-millionth customer, France Janina “Ica” Abion, at a grand event held in SM Novaliches. 

Ica, a 27-year-old mom and bank teller started her Home Credit journey in August this year. Recounting her experience, she revealed that at the time of purchase, she and her partner were looking for a smartphone that could meet her everyday work hustle at the Riverbanks Mall in Marikina City.