The Retail Banking Awards is an annual ceremony that honors institutions across the Asia Pacific that have successfully created game-changing banking solutions, products, and services benefitting not just their customers, but also the region’s banking and finance industry as a whole. It is organized by ABF, an industry magazine that specializes in feature stories, executive profiles, analysis, and industry reports relevant to the banking and financial companies in Asia.
AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, has partnered with Cropital, a financing and marketing platform for smallholder farmers, to promote inclusive protection and financial literacy. Cropital is a globally recognized organization that aims to support Filipino farmers by helping provide them with a sure market for their produce and giving them access to affordable capital through their Sustainability Fund.
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Through the new feature, UnionBank customers can now purchase and sell Bitcoin (BTC) directly from the UnionBank mobile banking app without the need for a third-party virtual asset wallet. This eliminates the need for multiple apps and makes buying and selling BTC easier and convenient like never before.
The new feature will be rolled out to randomly pre-selected UnionBank customers, who will be able to see the Virtual Asset functionality in their app. The launch is in compliance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) regulation on Virtual Asset Services, with the Bank eyeing a wider roll-out in the near future.
With blockchain a major component of its future-proofing strategy, UnionBank has been hard at work in exploring new use cases for the said technology and its offshoots such as cryptocurrency. This also aligns with the Bank's efforts in expanding its footprint in the metaverse, after its first entry into the space through its partnership with homegrown NFT game Ark of Dreams last April. The Bank is also eyeing the launch of the country’s first-ever Metaverse Center of Excellence sometime in the next few months.
Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and The Leon Gallery, among the most prestigious auction houses in the country, recently hosted a discussion on non-fungible token or NFT art. Focus was on how NFTs continue to reshape the art scene, and how artists and art collectors can easily navigate the emerging space.
The timely talk was held during an exhibition by Filipino abstract artist Jose Antonio Reyes, also known as JAR. Prior to this, The Leon Gallery also showcased the works of JAR last July 18 and the collection was sold out within its opening day. This was a follow up of the artist’s previous NFT art collection, JAR Heads, successfully launched on the Cardano Network with over 1 million in ADA sales in the secondary market in the span of only six months.
Meanwhile, NFT expert Planas gave a 101 on NFT art, including how NFTs are made, and how beginners can competently traverse the NFT art space. DAMU Head Dela Cruz, on the other hand, zeroed in on UnionBank’s activities and developments in the blockchain, crypto, and NFT spaces. He discussed the Bank’s journey into the emerging space, as well as his personal transition from traditional finance into the world of digital assets.
One of the highlights of Dela Cruz' talk was UnionBank's Virtual Asset Over-the-Counter (VA OTC) Service, another industry first, which was designed to help people enter the emerging NFT art space much easier. UnionBank is the first and only bank in the Philippines to offer this type of service, further strengthening the Bank’s position as the country's leader in blockchain innovation.
"Through its VA OTC service, UnionBank provides both artists and collectors alike with trustworthy platform for buying and selling NFT art," said Atty. Tonico Manahan, a well-known art collector. "While there are many ways for people to fund their wallets to buy NFT art or transact with crypto, buying and selling with the help of a well-established bank ensures that every crypto transaction is secure."
"It's a way for beginners to have peace of mind in entering the perceived volatile space given that transacting with a regulated financial institution such as a bank would be secure," Reyes added.
To know more about UnionBank's VA OTC service and other solutions related to NFTs, please send an email to digitalassets@unionbankph.com.
The “Protect a Hectare” project aims to help in the growth of the forest canopy, which will contribute to the conservation and preservation of water for the La Mesa Watershed. To kick off the tree planting event, the PNB Cycling Club, joined by Allianz PNB Life’s Chief Marketing Officer Gino Riola, cycled from the PNB head office in Pasay to La Mesa, Quezon City. Jerseys bearing the Allianz and PNB logos were given to the bikers as a token of the organizations’ collaborative endeavor.
“This activity serves as a reminder that securing the future is a team effort,” said Riola. “We are very grateful to the ABS-CBN Foundation for joining us, and we congratulate them on the great work that they do for the communities they serve. We really wanted to share the joy and purpose in tree planting with our colleagues in order to foster strong engagement within our company. But more than that, we also want to convey our dedication to sustainability, as well as nurture the existing partnership between Allianz PNB Life and PNB.”
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As the country prepares for the gradual resumption of face-to-face (F2F) classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) together with its external partners launched Brigada Eskwela 2022 with the theme “Tugon sa Hamon ng Ligtas na Balik-Aral” at Imus Pilot Elementary School, Imus, Cavite last August 1.
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With sales and offers in your favorite stores and e-commerce sites happening all the time, it’s more than likely that you’ll constantly be using your debit card for your purchases.
As you’re increasingly relying on the convenience of your debit card, it’s always good to take extra precautions in protecting your account and card details, like your account/card number, card CVV, expiry date, online/mobile log-in details, and OTP.
