Visa and PHLPost Sign Agreement to Enhance Financial Services for Underserved Filipinos

Visa and PHLPost to work together to provide more secure and efficient financial services

From Left: Atty. Benjie Yotoko, Assistant Postmaster General for Operations, PHLPost; Luis Carlos, Postmaster General, PHLPost; Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines; Bella Lai, Regional Head for Southeast Asia, Visa Government Solutions, Visa

Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) aimed at expanding access to financial services for Filipinos, particularly those in underserved sectors such as rural communities. 

Visa and CIMB Bank Philippines Sign Exclusive SME Debit Card Deal

Delivering seamless, secure, and innovative payment solutions for SMEs in the Philippines 

From Left: Suraj Ramchandani, Chief Growth Officer, CIMB; Ankur Sehgal, Chief Business and Strategy Officer, CIMB; Vijay Manoharan, CEO, CIMB; Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines; Sid Bada, Senior Business Development Lead, Visa Philippines; Oliver Ornido, Director and Account Executive, Visa Philippines.

Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, and CIMB Bank Philippines, the most-awarded digital-only commercial bank in the country and The Asian Banker’s Best Digital Bank in the Philippines for 2025, have announced an exclusive partnership aimed at enhancing financial solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. The signing ceremony, attended by senior officials from both Visa and CIMB Bank Philippines, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration that began in 2023.

VFS Global alerts Filipinos and residents of The Philippines against visa frauds, advises to apply early to avoid delays

Visa appointments are absolutely free and available only on www.vfsglobal.com

VFS Global has no role or influence on the decision of your visa application

VFS Global does not work in association with any third-party entities

VFS Global is neither involved in job placement nor immigration-related services

With the surge in outbound travel demand from The Philippines, visa applications submitted for various countries are at volumes higher than ever before. With this increased demand for visa application appointments, scammers pose as employees or associates of the organisation; or agents and intermediaries who sell appointments, issue fake appointment letters, or claim to influence positive visa decision, etc. to embezzle innocent visa applicants.

Visa and Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) Unveil Partnership on New Financial Literacy Modules to Empower Filipino Consumers

Visa to provide Practical Money Skills modules to CCAP for training sessions, aiming to empower Filipinos with financial literacy.

(L-R) Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) Executive Director Alex Ilagan, CCAP Chairman Rolando Ebreo, Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeff Navarro, and CCAP President Geraldine Liggayu

Philippines, 10 February, 2025 – Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, is collaborating with the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) to enhance financial education in the country. Visa will provide modules from its Practical Money Skills global digital platform for use in CCAP's training sessions, aiming to empower Filipinos to make informed financial decisions. Visa’s educational resources aim to help Filipino cardholders in the Philippines, thereby enhancing financial literacy and inclusion in the country. 

Visa and Valentine's Day: Analyzing Consumer Spend Trends

Data analysis by Visa Consulting and Analytics highlights consumer spend trends in the Philippines during Valentine’s Day festivities

Consumers likely to prioritize value and affordability this Valentine’s

Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, has released new insights into consumer behavior during February 2024. Visa Consulting & Analytics found that more active cards were used for transactions, indicating a change in how Filipinos are celebrating Valentine's Day.

The data shows an overall increase in transactions for February 2024 compared to February 2023, driven by more active card users. Despite the rise in transactions, the average amount spent per transaction slightly declined. This suggests that inflation and higher commodity prices may have led consumers to be more cautious with their spending this Valentine's month.

Visa Highlights the Role of Payments in Shaping Gen Z's Financial Future

New Visa study shows how Gen Z is paving new pathways to financial independence, combining practicality, technology, and a commitment to achieving stability.

Understanding Gen Z's impact on payments and commerce with Visa Advisory Services offers businesses valuable insights to engage this influential generation effectively.

Gen Z, now in their 20s and 30s, is beginning to drive changes in work, business, and relationships, according to research from Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments.  As these young professionals aged 16 to 30 pursue financial independence, they are redefining youth financial management and embracing a dynamic, holistic approach to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 

Visa empowers OFWs, digital workers, and SME owners with seamless remittance solutions

As holiday remittances peak, Visa enhances its commitment to simplifying and securing digital money transfers for OFWs, digital workers, and SME owners worldwide.

Remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), digital workers, and SME owners surge during the holiday season, as many Filipinos abroad send extra funds to support family celebrations, year-end expenses, and business investments. In December 2023, remittances hit a record $3.6 billion, a 3.9% increase from the previous year. This seasonal boost provides essential financial support for Filipino households and local businesses, covering holiday needs and fueling consumer spending.

Digital money movement solutions are making it easier than ever for OFWs, digital workers, and SME owners to send money home. This has driven a surge in remittance volumes, especially during the holiday season. With 75% of Filipino senders using digital apps in 2023, according to Visa's Money Travels: 2024 Annual Remittances Adoption report, they can transfer funds with greater convenience, speed, and security.

Reimagining Payments with Visa: Key Trends Shaping the Future of 2025

Innovations and consumer-driven shifts redefining the payments landscape—empowering seamless, secure, and smarter transactions in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Payments are undergoing a significant evolution, driven by advancements in technology and evolving consumer behaviors. In 2025, the payment landscape globally and in the Philippines is set to become more seamless, secure, and interconnected, according to Visa, a global leader in payments technology. These changes reflect a broader movement toward efficiency and inclusivity, reshaping how individuals and businesses engage with digital transactions. 

This shift unlocks diverse purchasing opportunities and fosters greater confidence in embracing global e-commerce. At the same time, businesses harness innovative tools to optimize operations, elevate customer experiences, and maintain a competitive edge in a tech-driven market. With the expansion of cross-border e-commerce and the adoption of dynamic security frameworks, here’s a closer look at the trends redefining how Filipinos pay, shop, and do business in 2025.

Holiday Escapes: How Filipinos Travel, Shop, and Pay During the Season

Survey by Visa shows Filipinos' shift toward contactless payments, experience-driven travel; Singapore and Japan preferred holiday destinations

It’s the holiday season—at least for Filipinos—and with it comes a surge in holiday shopping, travel, get-togethers, and festive activities. With the season being a peak time for getaways, Filipinos prioritize experience-driven travel, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan being top destinations. Visa’s latest Green Shoots Radar survey[1] reveals a significant shift in how Filipinos plan and pay for their travels, showing a growing preference for contactless payments alongside the continued use of cash.

Visa collaborates with Good Transport and GHL to enable contactless payments in Cebu and Mandaue City modern jeepneys in first transit project in the Philippines

Visa cards can be used to pay on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, creating a seamless transit experience and inclusive acceptance for daily commuters and tourists in the Philippines

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, is collaborating with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider, and GHL, a leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer. This collaboration has enabled the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, the second biggest city in Cebu. 

The initiative kicked off today with an official launch ceremony at the Cebu IT Park Transport Terminal, with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI) working in partnership with local transport operators, Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative (LATRANSCO) and Mandaue Transport Cooperative (MTC), to launch 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu and 20 modern jeepneys in Mandaue City. The onboard terminals in these vehicles now accept Visa payments. This initiative, part of a pilot project, signifies Visa's commitment to promoting transit acceptance in the Philippines with plans to expand to more modes of transit in coming years.

Visa expands consumer choice with e-wallet partnerships in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, is actively supporting Southeast Asia's journey into becoming a cashless society. As mobile wallet usage grows in the region, Visa enhances consumer options by enabling cardholders to use their cards directly with merchants or e-wallets such as Maya and GrabPay in the Philippines.

Jeff Navarro, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines, said: “Visa’s research found that in the Philippines, 87% of surveyed respondents have used their mobile wallets in the last 12 months. Our partnerships with e-wallets in the Philippines enable Visa cardholders to cash in their wallets using their cards issued in the Philippines, which is in alignment with the growing preference for cashless transactions in the Philippines. These partnerships provide consumers with more choices and support small businesses by enhancing their ability to accept payments, keeping pace with the expanding use of digital payment methods like cards and mobile wallets. At Visa, we're committed to broadening access to diverse digital payment options that are seamless and secure, to promote financial and digital inclusion."

51% of women-led SMEs surveyed in the Philippines experience increased revenue after accepting digital payments

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, conducted a survey on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the Philippines. Findings show that 51% of women-led SMEs and 56% of micro-businesses experienced revenue growth with digital payments adoption. Given women constitute over half of Asia's population and SMEs' vital role in the economy, maximizing women's economic potential could add $89 billion annually to the Asia Pacific economy including in the Philippines. 

SMEs are crucial for  economic growth in the Philippines, with more than a million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry data show that 99.5% of businesses in the country are MSMEs with almost 50% of them in wholesale and retail trade, generating 65% of total employment. Furthermore, the Asian Development Bank estimated that MSMEs contribute around 36% of the country’s GDP.

Japan ranks as top leisure travel destination for Filipino travellers: Visa study

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has published its most recent Green Shoots Radar study. This quarterly report analyzes consumer sentiments across various sectors, such as financial services, commerce, and travel. The study reveals a surge in travel frequency among Filipino travelers. According to the data, 24% of surveyed Filipino respondents have traveled overseas for leisure or business purposes in the past year. This trend aligns with a broader travel resurgence across Asia Pacific, with 37% of those surveyed reporting overseas travels within the same period.

Japan emerged as the top leisure destination for Filipino travelers, with 32% visiting in the past year. Singapore (22%) followed by Hong Kong (21%) and Thailand (18%) were the next most popular destinations. For business trips, Singapore led the list with 25%, followed by Japan (23%), and the United States tied with Hong Kong at 18%.

5 Reasons Holiday Gift Shopping Just Got Better with the New GCash Card powered by Visa

Gear up for the holiday season and pay with your GCash Card to enjoy discounts and deals

The holiday season is fast approaching, and we can all look forward to a truly merry shopping experience filled with amazing deals from GCash and Visa. 

Amidst the season’s hustle and bustle, security and convenience in payments remains a top priority for shoppers seeking a seamless and efficient promise. GCash is here to make your shopping spree this Christmas more enjoyable as it has partnered with top brands in retail, e-commerce, and travel, providing exclusive promos and discounts when you pay with the all new GCash Card. 

With the GCash card, your holiday gift shopping is just about to get even better as you experience the ultimate convenience and stand a chance to win fantastic prizes! Don’t miss out on these deals: 

Visa and AIG introduce travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage

With travel on the verge of revival in many parts of the world, safety is a key consideration for Filipinos selecting destinations to visit

 Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, and global insurer AIG Philippines Insurance Inc, announced the launch of a new travel insurance featuring Covid-19 protection, exclusive to Visa Infinite cardholders in the Philippines.

The travel insurance, which will be provided by AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., includes coverage for trip cancellations, travel inconveniences and medical expenses including Covid-19 medical expenses and allowances. The complimentary coverage is automatic for all for domestic and international trips between 4 December 2021 to 3 December 2022 paid for using Visa Infinite credit cards issued by Citibank, EastWest, Maybank, and RCBC Bankard. Terms and conditions apply.

Experience safe, secure, and convenient shopping with EastWest Visa Cards’ contactless feature

As the banking needs of consumers continue to evolve amid this digital, contactless era, universal bank EastWest and American multinational financial services corporation VISA, constantly look for ways to provide safe and convenient payment methods for their customers. As advocates of cybersecurity, EastWest and VISA aim to protect customers from scams like cloning and skimming, as well as COVID-19 and other viruses transmissible from exchanges of high-contact items like ballpens, money, and credit cards.

With the EastWest Visa credit and debit cards’ contactless feature, Cardholders experience fast, easy, and secure way to pay for everyday purchases.  Cardholders can also be assured of safety from some card scams. Contactless payments are protected by multiple layers of security and accepted by merchants across the country. For every transaction, a one-time code is created which secures the cardholder’s payment information. And since it is transaction-specific, the code cannot be re-used by fraudsters if they are somehow able to get ahold of it.

Eight in 10 Filipinos Are Interested in Using Digital Banking Services - Visa Study

Filipinos also demonstrating increased awareness of biometric payments

Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, today released new findings from its Visa Consumer Payment Attitudes study[1], that show over eight in 10 Filipinos (83%) are aware and interested (81%) in using digital banking services. However, only 32 percent of respondents are currently using services offered by a digital bank. Top interest drivers for Filipinos to use digital banking services include access to banking services anytime of the day (68%), time saved from not having to queue at bank branches (68%) and convenience (67%).

The study also showed that Filipinos are most keen to work with a financial services brand for digital banking services (93%) and traditional banks (92%), followed by new start-ups with digital banking services (72%).

Filipinos interested in banking with digital banks are keen to use services such as paying bills (84%), transferring money locally (78%), making deposits and withdrawals (76%), and making payments for purchases at local retail locations (71%). However, the preference of using digital banking for traditional bank services such as investments (52%), international transfers (48%) and loans (46%) is lower.

Fulfill your new travel dreams with CEB GetGo Visa Credit cards

As another new year starts, many individuals are bringing out their planners and making lists of their resolutions. For those planning to bring out their inner jetsetters in 2019, there’s no better time to embrace a travel lifestyle than now. 

With a trustworthy lifestyle rewards program such as GetGo, traveling becomes exciting and rewarding in more ways than one. Whether you’re a young traveler itching to explore new destinations or a parent planning that much-awaited family getaway, GetGo has lined up a few tips to help fulfill your new year travel resolutions:

RCBC Savings Bank partners with AFFI to empower SMEs

RCBC Savings Bank (RSB) has reaffirmed its commitment to support Filipino entrepreneurs at the AFFINITY 1st Franchise and Business Summit 2018.

Organized by the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) and co-presented by RSB, the summit invited start-up business owners, franchisors and franchisees to a series of coaching sessions and sharing of best practices featuring well-known industry experts. 

“RCBC Savings Bank and AFFI share the same vision of building up SMEs, more importantly Filipino entrepreneurs, and ensuring their success. That is why it is important to have all the good mentors you can get to help you in this journey. RSB is one of them,” said Elmer Aquino, RSB national product head for SMEs. Aside from supporting the business summit, RSB will also collaborate with AFFI to develop an SME loan geared towards the entrepreneurs’ unmet needs.