The way we pay has changed more in the past five years than in the previous fifty. But as real-time payments become the global standard, the industry is entering a new phase. In this interview, Fintech News Network’s Vincent Fong sits down with Hasan Khan, Business Head for Cards & Unsecured Lending at Trust Bank, to unpack what The Next Chapter in Payments looks like. They discuss why the industry’s obsession with “speed” is shifting toward “strategic friction” to combat the $4 billion lost to scams in Singapore. Hasan also reveals how Trust Bank utilizes cloud-native infrastructure to achieve the…

BDO Unibank, Inc. has joined forces with impact organisation HOPE to introduce the BDO HOPE Mastercard. The co-branded instrument aims to provide funding for education and sustainability projects. Officially introduced on 3 December 2025, the card seeks to transform routine purchases into social impact. It directs financial support from daily spending toward the construction of public school classrooms in the Philippines. Under the partnership, BDO has committed to contributing directly to the cause. For every PHP 1,000 of qualified spending made by cardholders, the bank will donate PHP 5 to HOPE. Furthermore, BDO will allocate a portion of the card’s…

GoTyme Bank as introduced a new crypto investment feature for its users in the Philippines. The launch is facilitated through a partnership with Alpaca, a global brokerage infrastructure provider. The new service, GoTyme Crypto, allows customers to invest in 11 different cryptocurrencies. They include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). Powered by Alpaca’s Broker API, the feature is integrated directly into the GoTyme Bank app. Users can fund their dedicated crypto accounts using their existing GoTyme Bank Everyday current accounts. Nate Clarke, President and CEO of GoTyme Bank, stated that the launch is a step towards empowering Filipinos to…

Despite strong growth in digital payments and fintech’s continued dominance in the Philippine startup ecosystem, many opportunities remain, especially in person-to-government (P2G) payments, micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) financial services, and remittances, according to a new report by Gobi Partners, an Asia-focused venture capital (VC) firm headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, says. The report, released in November, looks at the Philippines’ startup ecosystem, exploring recent developments, emerging trends, and growth areas. It builds on prior editions and draws on publicly available data from sources such as Pitchbook, Dealroom, and CB Insights, and press announcements, as well as results from a…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is moving to bolster the Philippines’ Islamic capital market by releasing draft guidelines on the issuance and disclosure of sukuk. The proposed framework aims to provide a clear regulatory environment ensuring Shari’ah compliance and investor protection. It introduces enhanced disclosure standards and governance mechanisms aligned with international practices. Sukuk refers to certificates of equal value representing an undivided interest in underlying assets or projects. Crucially, these instruments are structured to ensure strict adherence to Islamic principles. Under the draft rules, any sukuk intended for public offering must first be registered with the SEC. Following…

eTap Solutions, a Philippine operator of self-service payment kiosks, has announced plans to expand its service offerings and regional presence in 2026. The move aims to improve financial accessibility, particularly for communities that rely heavily on cash transactions. Founded in 2023, the company currently operates over 4,000 machines nationwide. These kiosks will facilitate services including e-wallet cash-ins and bill payments. They will be located in partner stores such as DALI, Alfamart, and Julie’s Bakeshop,  As of December 2025, the company reported serving over 12 million unique users. For the upcoming year, eTap Solutions will introduce cash-out machines, allowing users to…

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has integrated Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance its data analytics capabilities. The bank has implemented Amazon Quick Suite to allow business users to access and analyse data using natural language queries. The initiative aims to address operational bottlenecks where business units previously relied heavily on technical data teams to generate reports and dashboards. By empowering over 200 users across operations, technology, and product development to query data independently, the bank aims to achieve data request turnaround times that are three to five times faster once the system reaches its end state. Dennis D. Omila,…

Billease has introduced a new initiative aimed at assisting customers with overdue accounts to clear their debts. The “Bagong Simula Promo” (Christmas Amnesty 2025) is a nationwide campaign that offers eligible users the opportunity to have their accumulated penalties removed. Running until 31 December 2025, the programme provides a 100% waiver on late fees. To qualify, customers must fully repay their principal loan amount. They also have to pay along any interest and regular charges, within the campaign period. The company estimates that the initiative could benefit over one million customers. Georg Steiger, CEO and Co-Founder of Billease, one of…

Tonik Financial, the parent company of the Philippines’ first licensed digital-only bank, Tonik Digital Bank, has raised US$12 million in a Pre-Series C financing round. Diligent Capital Partners led the investment round. They were joined by Plio Limited, existing shareholder Altara Capital, and the Tonik management team. According to the company, the fresh capital will strengthen the bank’s regulatory capital position. This ensures compliance with the requirements set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The funds will also support continued investment in Tonik’s technology platform to improve customer acquisition and automation. Tonik enters this funding round following a period…

Globe and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) have completed a Proof of Concept (POC) for Silent Network Authentication (SNA), a verification method designed to replace One-Time Passwords (OTPs). The initiative aims to reduce scams associated with SMS codes while streamlining the user experience. SNA is part of “G Verify,” Globe’s portfolio of network-powered verification solutions. Unlike traditional methods that require users to input codes sent via text, SNA uses real-time network intelligence to authenticate users instantly without manual steps. The companies, both members of the Ayala Group, successfully completed the technical validation of the technology. This process enabled…

J.P. Morgan has announced the global discontinuation of services for its investment analytics subsidiary, Aumni. The move will impact the bank’s operations in the Philippines, with approximately 250 employees expected to be affected across Manila, Cebu, and Baguio. In a statement released on Tuesday, 2 December, the US-based financial giant explained that the decision followed a routine review of its product offerings. “J.P. Morgan regularly reviews its products and client offerings and we have taken the decision to discontinue Aumni’s services globally, which includes its operations in the US, UK, India and the Philippines,” the bank stated. J.P. Morgan acquired…

FinVolution Group’s Philippines Business has secured a multi-million peso (PHP) credit facility from HSBC in the Philippines. This new funding is intended to support the expansion of accessible financial services for underserved yet creditworthy Filipinos. The facility seeks to bolster financial inclusion by offering sustainable and timely credit access. It specifically targets individuals who possess limited or thin credit histories. This move supports FinVolution’s wider strategy to drive advancements in credit technology. It also contributes to building a financial infrastructure that is more inclusive across all its markets. The New York Stock Exchange lists FinVolution Group under the ticker FINV.…

From navigating ‘irrational’ market incentives to achieving operational profitability, DANA CEO Vince Iswara breaks down the contrarian strategies behind scaling Indonesia’s leading digital wallet to 200 million users. He reveals the critical pivot from high-burn growth to sustainable unit economics and why maintaining an ‘underdog’ mindset was essential for survival.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has inaugurated its newly transformed branch at the Buendia Center in Makati City. Housed in the former Far East Bank Building, the facility represents the bank’s first full “phygital” flagship, a concept designed to integrate digital transaction efficiency with personalised, physical service. The branch features BPI’s first open-branch layout, which removes traditional barriers to improve visibility and interaction between clients and bank staff. “We want everyone who steps through our doors, whether they are long-time clients, friends, or guests, to feel valued,” said BPI Consumer Banking Head Maria Cristina “Ginbee” Go. “Looking around, you…

State-owned Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PHILGUARANTEE) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Bank of Makati to strengthen financial support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The agreement was formalised during a ceremony in Makati City on 18 November 2025. Under the partnership, PHILGUARANTEE will extend guarantee coverage to the bank’s loan portfolio for eligible MSME borrowers. The initiative aims to create a more stable lending environment and enable further credit accommodations for small businesses. PHILGUARANTEE President and CEO Alberto Pascual highlighted the state corporation’s goal to expand access to capital. “This agreement reflects our continued effort to…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has confirmed it is reviewing multiple private sector proposals to launch stablecoins in the Philippines. Despite the interest, the monetary regulator is maintaining a cautious approach as it evaluates the associated risks and benefits. Speaking in Hong Kong on 25 November, BSP Deputy Governor Zeno Abenoja noted that the majority of proposals involve dollar-backed stablecoins, with fewer submissions for peso-backed options. The proposed use cases largely focus on cross-border retail transactions, particularly remittances, as well as domestic retail payments. The central bank is currently using sandbox trials to assess operational viability. “In that limited…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has announced a partnership with Relaxie, the European operator of the Tarakabayan and Power MIMS Ecosystem, to serve overseas Filipinos in Europe. The collaboration was formalised at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025. The agreement aims to advance financial inclusion by embedding RCBC’s digital banking products directly into Relaxie’s EU-based platforms. These offerings include savings, remittances, credit, and payments. This partnership designates Relaxie to enable financial connectivity between the Philippines and Europe, covering services such as digital onboarding and settlements. Crucially, the collaboration ensures full adherence to regulations in both jurisdictions. Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President…

EastWest Bank, delivery platform Foodpanda, and Visa have jointly launched a new co-branded credit card in the Philippines aimed at encouraging consumers to shift towards cashless payments. Launched in Makati on Tuesday, the card offers specific benefits designed to entice users away from cash transactions. These perks include a 10% cashback on foodpanda orders worth up to PHP 4,000. They will all be credited on a weekly basis. Additionally, the annual fee is waived for the first year. Plus, the initial batch of applicants will also receive a six-month “pandapro” membership. Foodpanda Philippines noted that this is its first co-branded…

Digital lender GoTyme Bank has introduced a new feature allowing its customers to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency directly within its mobile application. In a statement, the bank announced that users can now access 11 specific cryptocurrencies through the platform. The supported digital assets include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), Polkadot (DOT), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Avalanche (AVAX), Uniswap (UNI), Chainlink (LINK), and Aave (AAVE). The new feature, branded as “GoCrypto,” is designed to facilitate instant funding and withdrawal between cryptocurrency and regular currency. By integrating these capabilities directly into the banking app, the service removes…

Philippine banking infrastructure provider Higala has closed a US$4 million seed funding round to expand digital services for rural banks and microfinance institutions. Investors in the round include Talino Venture Studios, Chemonics International, Kadan Capital, Tenco Capital, and 1982 Ventures. According to Higala Chairman Jamey Butcher, the round was expanded from an initial target of $2.8 million due to increased investor interest in the firm’s solutions. The funding aims to accelerate the financial inclusion capabilities of SynerFi, an open payments platform designed to reduce barriers for smaller financial institutions participating in the InstaPay network. “We are proud of this monumental…