BillEase, a consumer finance and ‘buy now, pay later’ app, has partnered with Ant International’s Alipay+ to launch an auto-debit feature, aiming to simplify online transactions. This new facility, named Alipay+ Auto Debit, allows users to pre-authorise Alipay+ affiliated merchants to automatically deduct funds for purchases made, directly from their credit line.
This integration within the BillEase application is designed to streamline the payment process, eliminating the need for manual logins and payment completion for each purchase. Additionally, it enables customers to set up installment payments, enhancing their online shopping experience.
The companies say the introduction of Alipay+ Auto Debit aligns with current trends in digital payments, as noted in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap. The report revealed that financial transactions, particularly payments, are a significant activity for 85% of Filipino adults, equating to 61.2 million individuals.
However, despite the prevalence of such transactions, the preference for cash transactions remains dominant in the Philippines, with a considerable reliance on over-the-counter methods. Online bill payments are currently used by only 1% of the population, and auto-debit or auto-credit for personal loans is even less common, at 0.1%.
Kurt Molina, Head of Merchant Products at BillEase, commented on the changing trends in payment behaviours, stating,
“As we observe a paradigm shift in payment behaviours, our collaboration with Alipay+ stands as a testament to our commitment to address the evolving preferences of our users, offering them a sophisticated yet simplified transaction experience.”
He also mentioned that the incorporation of Alipay+ Auto Debit into the BillEase app as a step towards enhancing financial inclusion in the Philippines.
Chris Huang, the Country Manager for the Philippines at Ant International, reflected on the partnership’s growth. He said,
“Our partnership between Alipay+ and BillEase continues to grow as we jointly offer more payment options and transform the way Filipinos transact.”
Chris also emphasised the importance of security alongside the ease of checkout with the new feature.
This collaboration between BillEase and Alipay+ represents a development in the digital payment landscape in the Philippines, suggesting a move towards more advanced and user-friendly payment options.
Featured image credit: BillEase
