Saturday, August 31, 2024

Embracing Digital Banking: The Shift Towards Cashless Transactions in the Philippines

Digital transactions in the Philippines have reached a new milestone, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reporting a rise in digital payment transactions from 42.1% in 2022 to 52.8% in 2023. This surge has exceeded the BSP's target of digitalizing 50% of payment volumes as part of its Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2018-2023.

The convenience and accessibility of mobile apps and online banking have made cashless transactions the preferred payment method for many Filipinos. According to a study, cash usage has declined to 87%, down from 96% in 2022, as consumer habits increasingly favor cashless payments.

However, this rapid shift towards digital banking brings its own set of challenges, particularly in the area of security.

Friday, August 30, 2024

Sun Life Foundation boosts access to clean water in Palawan

Clean drinking water is now accessible to certain remote areas in Palawan, following the completion of a project led by Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) in cooperation with the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (Forest Foundation) and the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines (Canadian Embassy).

Its completion benefits 4,362 households or a population of 18,904 individuals in three different barangays within Palawan, including Brgy. New Busuanga in Busuanga; Brgy. 6 in Coron; and Brgy. Malaking Patag in Culion.

Initiated in January this year, the project was launched to increase the capacity of the Calamianes Watersheds and improve the availability and resilience of clean water in the islands. This was done via a two-pronged approach: by enhancing forest management and protection and by providing rainwater harvesting facilities and supporting the application of the 3R (Recharge, Retention, and Reuse) water technologies.

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Sit, Bank, and Relax: Introducing the EastWest EasyWay App

EastWest Bank officially introduced the new EastWest EasyWay App, a mobile banking platform designed to streamline and elevate the banking experience of today’s Filipinos.

The launch of EasyWay is a major milestone in the build-up to EastWest Bank’s 30th-anniversary celebration, which kicked off this August and will run through July next year. It highlights the bank’s continuous drive for improvement, always striving to exceed the expectations of its valued customers.

EasyWay represents another important step in EastWest’s ongoing efforts to deliver customer-focused and up-to-date banking services. It is part of a broader digital ecosystem that includes EasyBiz, Komo, ESTA, and EastWest Pay, reflecting the bank’s holistic approach to addressing diverse customer needs with advanced solutions.

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.

Monday, August 26, 2024

Changing Lives, One Person At A Time: Al Quitangon Reaffirms Sun Life’s Commitment To Filipino Families As Chief Distribution Officer

Al Quitangon, Sun Life's Chief Distribution Officer

In a country where the people are still in the process of recognizing life insurance as a tool for securing their families' futures, Sun Life stands as an industry leader that guides Filipinos towards achieving greater financial security. At the helm of this endeavor is Al Quitangon, a seasoned veteran in the realm of finance who now serves as Sun Life's Chief Distribution Officer.

Quitangon’s journey with Sun Life is one marked by a deep understanding of financial planning. As a former advisor himself, he perceives the challenges and aspirations as client might have and uses this as a fuel to lead governed by client-centric values. 

“Everyone who steps into the world of insurance knows that this isn’t just a job, this is a calling. It’s about empowering Filipinos to take charge of their future, allowing them to have the right knowledge and tools necessary to be prepared for the unforeseen challenges of life,” said Quitangon. His personal philosophy on finances puts education to the fore, believing that financial literacy is the cornerstone of long-term prosperity.

Sun Life Grepa Celebrates Double Victory In Msme Insurance Excellence

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a joint venture between the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Sun Life Philippines, has secured the 'Best MSME Insurance Initiative of the Year - Philippines' award at the Insurance Asia Awards for the third consecutive year since 2022.

In addition to this remarkable achievement, Sun Life Grepa has also been recognized at the International Finance Awards, winning the same category this year. This marks their second win at the International Finance Awards, having been previously recognized as Best Insurance Provider for SME-Philippines in 2022.

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Ber Months Budgeting: Take Control of Your Finances with Mocasa This Holiday Season

As the festive "ber months" of 2024 approach, Filipinos are not only looking forward to celebrations but also focusing on financial stability and planning for their future. Mocasa, the Philippines' first virtual credit wallet, is here to help individuals and families take control of their finances with practical saving strategies tailored for this season.

The "ber months" are a time of heightened spending on holiday festivities, gifts, and travel. Financial security during this period isn't just about saving money—it's about creating a roadmap to achieve your financial goals while enjoying the season. Whether you're preparing for emergencies, planning for holiday expenses, or setting aside money for future needs, Mocasa recognizes the unique financial challenges of the "ber months" and aims to provide practical tips to help Filipinos navigate this time with confidence.