Pru Life UK earmarks Php 5M COVID-19 relief fund to PGH Medical Foundation Inc.

Pru Life UK has donated Php 5 million to Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation Inc. (PGHMFI) as part of the Prudential COVID-19 relief fund (the Fund), which provides financial support for Prudential’s communities and the volunteering efforts of its people in Asia, the US, and Africa. This donation will support the University of the Philippines (UP)-PGH Bayanihan Na COVID-19 project to provide quality medical-grade equipment and supplies for PGH and its healthcare workers who risk their lives to help battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

DMCI Homes digitizes homebuying process

From searching for the best available home to providing efficient payment facilities, DMCI Homes is making most of its sales processes online to address the needs of condominium buyers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Property hunters are provided all the necessary digital tools to buy a quality home even without the traditional “site tripping” or showroom visit. 

To help homebuyers choose the unit that is the best fit for their needs, DMCI Homes had redesigned its website www.dmcihomes.com to include helpful features like Live Unit Availability Summary and Compare Homes capability.

PSBank made QR feature available in its Mobile app for safer banking in the new normal

Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), the consumer banking arm of the Metrobank Group, made QR facility available in its Mobile App with the aim to provide another safe and secure way to bank amid the current health crisis situation. 

With this new digital service, customers no longer need to leave the comforts of their homes nor worry about their health and safety when managing their finances. 

GCash, Singlife tie up to launch digital Insurance Marketplace

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, has partnered with digital insurer Singlife Philippines to provide GCash users access to relevant, affordable, and secure insurance products.

Despite the growth of the insurance market in recent years, more than 95 percent of Filipinos are insufficiently prepared – if not completely unprepared –for high medical expenses, disability, or death of the main income earner. This leads to high debts to pay for medical costs or even outright denial of treatment. Families are being torn away from their standards of living when an adverse event happens and income is disrupted. One hurdle is the complexity of insurance products and the old-fashioned way they are offered, with conventional insurance plans requiring a lot of paperwork.

Former HSBC Head of Mortgages Backs Philippines’ First Mortgage Broker, Nook

Former HSBC Head of Mortgages, Steve Martinelli, has backed fintech, Nook, the Philippines’ first mortgage broking firm. He joins other top banking executives along with Australian entrepreneur, Chris Elder, as the group capitalizes on the growing yet underserved markets of South East Asia.

As an emerging market, the Philippines has one of the highest GDP growth rates in the region and strong residential real estate loans growth which makes it the ideal location for the firm to expand from. The fintech has already tapped some of the biggest banks in the country for its lending panel as it moves fast to capture market share and change the way the country applies for home loans.  

According to a survey done by New Perspective Media Group in 2019, property assets remain the top investment choice for most Filipinos who are still considering property as an investment in the country, specifically in locations such as Metro Manila, and outer areas such as Cavite and Laguna.

Globe myBusiness powers Ateneo de Davao’s digital school year

Industries are developing ways to thrive amid the new normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the coming school year, educational institutions are transitioning to online learning to allow students to complete their requirements while staying safe at home. 

Strengthening its position as an invaluable partner in promoting 21st Century Learning, Globe myBusiness has partnered with Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) by providing tailor-made internet plans for the next school year. Through the partnership, the university secured 7,000 Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi units for instructors and students. The kits are equipped with a WiFi modem with a LAN port, free 10GB of data allocation upon modem activation, and access to a customizable suite of apps to aid the learning process.

Digital habits on the rise in Southeast Asia as the new normal approaches – Mastercard Study

COVID-19 has accelerated adoption of ecommerce and contactless payments in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, offering opportunities for businesses to continue operating while allowing consumers to stay safe. 

COVID-19 has driven momentum towards the digital economy in Southeast Asia by necessitating rapid adoption of ecommerce, home deliveries, and digital and contactless payments, according to the latest Mastercard Impact Studies™. Even as countries in the region start to ease restrictions and prepare for a “new normal”, the report indicates that some of these trends and habits formed in response to the pandemic are expected to remain for the long-term.