EastWest Celebrates its 30 Years in the Industry

Marking 30 years of dedicated service, EastWest eagerly anticipates its year-long celebration commencing this August. As the banking arm of Filinvest Development Corporation, one of the country's leading conglomerates with interests in real estate, hospitality and tourism, power generation and sugar, the Bank proudly carries on the Gotianun legacy of entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, integrity, and innovation to create banking solutions for its diverse clientele.

Looking back, its journey over the past three decades highlights its blend of the traditional warmth of the East and the forward-thinking mindset of the West. Founded in 1994, EastWest Bank has grown to become one of the Philippines' leading universal banks, known for its customer-centric approach and innovative financial solutions, helping countless Filipinos achieve their financial goals.

Rizal Microbank-Franklin Baker partnership to benefit coconut farmers through quick loans

Rizal Microbank, Inc. (RMB), a subsidiary of Yuchengco-led RCBC, has introduced an innovative financing mechanism with coconut suppliers of Franklin Baker, one of the largest global suppliers of desiccated coconuts. The new scheme seeks to streamline and expedite loan application process for coconut suppliers and farmers.

The partnership enables Franklin Baker suppliers to have access to a reusable source of funds for their business through the Revolving Credit Line (RCL) product offering under the framework of RMB’s Agricultural Value Chain Financing (AVCF) Program. RCL enables verified suppliers and borrowers to loan up to Php10 million.

Loan processing time for Franklin Baker suppliers has been significantly reduced to just one to two working days from the previous one to two weeks. Requirements for loan application have been simplified to include the following: one form of identification for credit report access, a barangay clearance or mayor's permit where applicable, and a statement of account (SOA) for existing loans and/or deposits if available. 

“Our commitment goes beyond partnerships. It's about serving the underserved and making banking truly inclusive for all. By forging collaborations like this one with Franklin Baker suppliers, we're breaking barriers and ensuring that financial opportunities are accessible to every micro and small business, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant economic landscape,” said RMB President Raymundo Roxas.

CitySavings awarded for its customer-centric initiatives

City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift bank subsidiary of Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines, (UnionBank) caps the year with recognition from the International Finance Awards.  The Bank was named as the Most Customer-Centric Savings Bank in the Philippines for 2023.  International Finance, a London-based publication, noted that “CitySavings bagged this prestigious award for its various customer-centric initiatives along with its excellent services and innovative products.”

One of the bank’s major initiatives this year is its mobile app that provides public school teachers a fast, and secure way to check their savings and loan account balances, as well as apply for a reloan online. Clients can also pay their bills and soon, can receive and transfer funds, and use other customer-friendly features.

Its chatbot, Talk to Maria, offers a convenient 24/7 inquiry service and a seamless new loan application process. In collaboration with its parent company UnionBank, CitySavings has also rolled out its Bank-on-Wheels to make its services more accessible.

Sterling Bank of Asia Receives BNY Mellon Straight-through Processing Award 2022

L-R: Luisito Mayor, SBA Operations Group Head & Senior Vice President; Felisa Alcala, SBA Business Support Services Head & Vice President; Cecilio San Pedro, SBA President & CEO; Jun Cristobal, BNY Mellon Senior Vice President, Global Client Support, Treasury Services, Client Implementation and Philippines Market Manager; Cedric Chong, BNY Mellon Relationship Manager, Treasury Services; and Christopher Rocero, SBA Trade  Services and Remittance Head

Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) has once again received the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Award from The Bank tof New York Mellon for its exceptional payment formatting performance in 2022. The award has been consistently granted to the bank for five consecutive years. It is a recognition of SBA's commitment to excellence, and its ability to execute payment formatting performance for MT103/MT202 payments with accuracy and speed in financial operations. 

City Savings Bank Simplifies Loan Applications and Reloans for DepEd Teachers with Loan Ranger Mobile

City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift arm subsidiary of the Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), continues to make headway with its groundbreaking Loan Ranger Mobile App, which caters to the banking needs of the Department of Education (DepEd) teachers. The mobile app provides public school teachers a fast, convenient, and secure way to check their savings and loan account balances, as well as apply for a reloan anytime, anywhere. Over 170,000 DepEd teachers and employees have enrolled in Loan Ranger Mobile.

True to its tagline, “Simple is Good,” CitySavings simplifies the loan process for DepEd teachers. With Loan Ranger Mobile, teacher-clients can view their account balance in real-time. If they qualify for a reloan, they can simply apply using the app and without visiting the branch. They can also check the status update of their loan application.

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.

Financial inclusion and digital transformation: CitySavings and the future of banking

DIGITAL INNOVATIONS FOR THE MASS MARKET: City Savings Bank (CitySavings) joins the 2022 UnionBank Innovations Festival held last September 7 - 9 at the newly inaugurated UnionBank Innovation Campus, City of San Pedro, Laguna. The booth features the thrift bank’s innovative and relevant products that make banking simple for the mass market. Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz (front, 4th from left) joins the CitySavings team.

On September 7 to 9, 2022, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) launched “The Future of Banking is with U”, the 2022 UnionBank Innovation Festival at the UnionBank Innovation Campus in San Pedro, Laguna. The event was hosted in celebration of numerous digital solutions, trends, and innovations in technology and their applications to the lives of Filipinos.

Among the participants at the prestigious event was UnionBank’s thrift bank subsidiary, City Savings Bank (CitySavings). CitySavings is one of the largest thrift banks in the country, with the goal of providing comprehensive yet simple banking solutions for the Filipino mass market.

RCBC reveals “We believe in you” philosophy

Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation (RCBC), one of the leading universal banks in the Philippines, today unveils its new corporate logo and tagline “We believe in you,” which signals the start of a new era of providing excellent and trusted banking services for Filipinos.

“This milestone signals the arrival of a more committed, refreshed and re-energized RCBC, that is ready to meet the demands of the ever-changing Philippine banking industry,” said RCBC President and CEO Gil A. Buenaventura.

“We believe in you” is not just a tagline for RCBC, but a battle cry to show our unwavering support and trust to the indomitable Filipino spirit. At the same time, this new corporate thrust is meant to encourage Filipinos not only to dream, but to pursue their passions and dreams, and turn them into reality – whether it’s traveling to your dream destination, venturing into a new business, or purchasing a new home or car,” Buenaventura stressed.