Digital financial services platform Maya and online lending app JuanHand have pledged their support for the “Scam Safe” initiative led by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC). The campaign aims to protect Filipinos from the growing threat of online scams and cyber fraud. The Scam Safe initiative, spearheaded by the CICC under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), focuses on public education. It seeks to raise awareness about common scam tactics and promote safer online behaviour, particularly as the adoption of digital financial services continues to rise in the Philippines. Maya stated that its support for the…

Global payments provider Veem and Philippine digital wallet platform Coins.ph have announced an expansion of their partnership to enhance cross-border transaction capabilities from North America to the Philippines. The collaboration aims to improve the efficiency of corporate payouts and contractor payments by introducing new settlement methods, including stablecoins. Under the expanded agreement, Coins.ph will continue to serve as a local payout provider for Veem. The partnership is designed to facilitate faster and more cost-effective fund delivery for businesses in the United States and Canada sending money to the Philippines. The companies are currently exploring digital settlement options, such as USDC,…

Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, has introduced free insurance coverage for GLoan borrowers through a new initiative called GLoan Protect. Available for a limited time, the feature provides loan and health insurance for every GLoan disbursement of at least PHP 500, underwritten by Oona Insurance Corporation. The programme aims to provide a safety net for borrowers against unexpected life events. The free insurance includes a waiver of the pending loan balance in the event of the borrower’s death or accident-related permanent disability. In such cases, the policy settles the remaining loan balance, and beneficiaries receive the remaining…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has announced a significant update to its digital banking platform, RCBC Pulz, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. The update introduces eight key features aimed at improving security, expanding financial access, and enhancing user convenience. A primary focus of the rollout is fraud prevention. The bank will implement a “One Device, One User” policy. This measure requires accounts to be linked to a single registered device to reduce unauthorised access and monitor activity more effectively. Complementing this is a shift from SMS-based One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to push notifications verified via biometric login features. In…

State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) is set to raise at least PHP 5 billion through a new issuance of sustainability bonds aimed at funding agriculture, environmental, and social development projects. The offering, branded as ASENSO (Agriculture, Sustainability, Environment and Socioeconomic Development) Bonds, will consist of peso-denominated, fixed-rate ASEAN Sustainability Bonds. The issue will feature tenors of 1.5 years and three years. Investors can purchase the bonds from 28 January to 6 February through the bank’s mobile application. The minimum investment is set at PHP 10,000, with increments of PHP 10,000 thereafter. Landbank plans to list the securities on…

Digital banking in Asia was supposed to change the world. Five years later, did it live up to the hype? In this in-depth retrospective, Vincent Fong (Chief Editor, Fintech News Network) sits down with David Becker (Managing Director, Head of APAC Sales, Mambu) to unpack the last five years of the digital banking boom. They discuss why the predicted “death of traditional banks” never happened, how incumbents managed to adapt so quickly, and why the real revolution is happening in rural financial inclusion rather than just glossy apps. From the technical challenges of cloud-native infrastructure to the “boring but important”…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has extended the availability of discounted rates for the registration and filing fees of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The move aims to encourage more businesses to formalise their operations and access the capital market at a lower cost. On 9 January 2026, the Commission issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2026, which effectively prolongs the incentives originally introduced in 2025. Under the new circular, MSMEs can avail of a 20% discount on corporate registration fees until 31 March 2026. Furthermore, the regulator has extended the 50% discount for securities registration…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has extended regulatory incentives designed to encourage local banks to increase lending for sustainable projects. The Monetary Board approved the extension, which allows banks to exceed the single borrower’s limit (SBL) by an additional 15% for eligible green financing. Originally introduced in 2023, these incentives will now remain available for another two years, starting from 6 January 2026. The policy enables banks to lend more than the standard 25% SBL cap if they direct the funds towards sustainable activities. The central bank stated that it expects the extended period to facilitate continued financing for…

Philippine digital asset exchange Coins.ph has announced a strategic collaboration with digital financial services provider Remitly. This partnership aims to introduce a stablecoin-powered remittance solution. The initiative initially targets Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the United States and Canada. Its primary goal is to facilitate near-instant and low-cost money transfers. The partnership utilises a “stablecoin rail” to process cross-border payments. Under this system, fiat currency sent from abroad (specifically US dollars or Canadian dollars) is converted into stablecoins through Remitly’s platform. The funds are then settled in Philippine pesos directly into a recipient’s Coins.ph e-wallet or connected bank account. The…

EastWest Banking Corp. has announced a partnership with PayMongo Philippines to provide business clients with more affordable access to online payment gateways. The collaboration allows EastWest’s corporate and SME clients to integrate PayMongo’s payment platform at preferential merchant discount rates (MDR). Through this agreement, businesses can accept payments via credit cards, e-wallets, and other digital channels at competitive pricing. The initiative aims to support the growing operational needs of Filipino entrepreneurs by streamlining digital transactions and settlements. Jerry Ngo, Chief Executive Officer of EastWest, stated that the partnership focuses on improving the digital commerce experience. “By including PayMongo’s capabilities into…

Coins.ph has introduced a unified platform that combines digital asset trading with essential services such as payments, transfers, and bill settlements. The updated app aims to address the fragmentation of financial services, where users often navigate multiple applications for different needs. By integrating the national QR Ph standard, Coins.ph now enables cashless payments at over 600,000 merchants nationwide, ranging from restaurants and groceries to sari-sari stores. Amira Alawi, Global Marketing Director at Coins.ph, emphasised the focus on usability. “Most people don’t think about financial infrastructure, they just want money that works. Whether you are picking up groceries, sending funds home,…

Finance Secretary Frederick Go has officially assumed his seat as a member on the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), serving as the government’s Cabinet representative. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. administered the oath of office on 8 January at the central bank’s headquarters in Manila. Go succeeds former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who has transitioned to the role of Executive Secretary. As the newest member of the seven-person body, Go joins a board tasked with maintaining price stability and overseeing the regulation of the Philippine financial system. The current board composition includes Governor Remolona, former BSP…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued strict warnings against two online trading platforms, Exness Global Limited and HFM-HF Markets, for operating without the necessary licenses. In separate advisories released on 12 December 2025, the regulator clarified that neither entity is authorised to solicit investments from the public in the Philippines. The Commission noted that both platforms have been actively using social media and mobile applications to target Filipino investors. Exness is described as a global brokerage offering access to forex, crypto, and stocks, primarily through contracts for difference (CFDs). Similarly, HFM presents itself as a venue for trading…

Trusting Social has partnered with cybersecurity company eMudhra to launch an integrated digital onboarding and signing (lending) platform in the Philippines. The collaboration aims to digitise the lending process fully by eliminating the need for physical contract signing, a step that often prolongs the loan approval timeline. The integration connects Trusting Social’s TrustVision eKYC system, which handles ID OCR and liveness matching, with eMudhra’s emSigner platform. Once a user’s identity is verified, the system routes them to an encrypted signing workflow without human intervention. This addresses the “hybrid” nature of the current market, where digital verification is often followed by…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong Inc. have reached a compromise agreement, ending a legal battle that began with the bank’s closure in 2019. The central bank stated that the two parties have “mutually and amicably resolved all of their disputes fully and comprehensively”. This move aims to protect the interests of depositors and clients. Under the agreement, depositors, creditors, and other clients are advised to submit claims for payment. They should also direct all related inquiries to AMA Bank. The BSP confirmed that AMA Bank will remain under its regulatory jurisdiction to ensure…

Digital banking in Asia was supposed to change the world. Five years later, did it live up to the hype? In this in-depth retrospective, Vincent Fong (Chief Editor, Fintech News Network) sits down with David Becker (Managing Director, Head of APAC Sales, Mambu) to unpack the last five years of the digital banking boom. They discuss why the predicted “death of traditional banks” never happened, how incumbents managed to adapt so quickly, and why the real revolution is happening in rural financial inclusion rather than just glossy apps. From the technical challenges of cloud-native infrastructure to the “boring but important”…

Tonik has appointed Bryan Carroll as its new Business Head for Payments, Savings, and Engagement. The move signals the bank’s intent to accelerate growth and deepen customer relationships as it enters a new phase of expansion. Carroll joins Tonik with extensive experience in the digital banking sector, having previously served as the CEO and Co-Founder of TNEX, Vietnam’s digital-only bank. His background includes leadership roles at major financial institutions such as First Abu Dhabi Bank, Bank of Ireland, and MSB Bank Vietnam. As a seasoned builder of digital banks, Carroll will now lead efforts to drive Tonik’s growth beyond 2x…

GCash is enhancing its security protocols by rolling out in-app One-Time Passwords (OTPs), a move designed to replace traditional SMS-based authentication. By the first quarter of 2026, the finance superapp expects users to receive OTPs directly via secure push notifications within the application rather than through text messages. The transition aims to address vulnerabilities associated with SMS, which scammers have frequently targeted to gain unauthorised access to user accounts. Sending authentication requests directly to the verified GCash app guarantees that only the true account owner receives and uses the unique codes. This new feature also promises a smoother user experience.…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has flagged the continued operations of multiple unregistered online lending applications. These unauthorised platforms were found listed on the Google Play Store. In a recent advisory, the regulator warned the public against obtaining loans from 22 specific apps. It emphasised that these entities are operating without the necessary permits. The Commission identified the illegal platforms as: PesoMate, ULend, Magaling Peso-Fast Online Loan, Cashpedia, Pera Now, Finledger, MadaPera, ZRT Loan, PesoOne, Kwago Peso, SL Cash, Peso Ease, PesoOne-Fast Loans, Sure Money: Smart Loan, VIP Funds-Finance Assistant PH, Cashflux, MeeBrar Loan, Agad Loan, MorePautang, CashTwig, and…

To mark the Philippines’ assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship for 2026, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) plans to release a new 10-piso commemorative coin this January. The coin retains the standard specifications of the country’s currency. Its obverse side features the portrait of national hero Apolinario Mabini, consistent with the existing 10-piso coin under the New Generation Currency series. This approach ensures continuity with coins currently in circulation while highlighting the significance of the regional milestone. Distinctive elements appear on the reverse side, which is dedicated to the Philippines’ leadership of the bloc. The design centres on the ASEAN…