Billease has announced an expansion of its in-app shopping feature, Billease Deals, following a strengthened partnership with InsurTech provider ProTech Devices. The update broadens the platform’s catalogue beyond its initial mobile phone offering to include a wider range of electronics. Announced in Manila on 10 December 2025, the expansion allows users to purchase laptops, tablets, and audio devices directly through the app using Billease’s instalment plans. The new inventory features major brands such as Acer, Apple, Asus, Lenovo, Samsung, JBL, and Harman Kardon. Kurt Molina, Head of POS Product at Billease, stated that the move was driven by user feedback.…

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has partnered with TikTok to launch a public education initiative aimed at combating financial scams and investment fraud. The SEC and ByteDance Philippines Inc. formalised the collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 9 December 2025 in Taguig City. SEC Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo highlighted the platform’s ability to engage the public through video, noting that preventing fraud is essential to maintaining investor confidence. “The MOU establishes a structured framework to educate Filipinos about common financial and investment scams by detecting, preventing, and removing such content, while boosting awareness of associated risks,” Quevedo…

Not long ago, banking in Asia Pacific meant standing in line at a branch, filling out slips of paper, and waiting patiently for transactions to be processed. Fraud, when it occurred, was relatively visible and often easier to contain, counterfeit notes, forged signatures, or cheque tampering were the risks banks kept a close watch on. Those threats were tangible, localised, and limited in scale. Fast forward to today, and the contrast is striking. Payments move at the speed of a tap, digital wallets are used as readily as cash once was, cross-border transactions settle in seconds, and modern AI agents…

The Consumer Lending Association of the Philippines (CLAP) is preparing to collaborate with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to curb rising financial fraud in the lending industry. The initiative aims to operationalise the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), which CLAP President Arianne Ferrer designated as the group’s “first action item for next year.” “Many of us already have real-time fraud management systems (FMS) in place. Where the rules are applicable to us, I would say we have a commitment and a promise to comply,” Ferrer said. While the industry employs sophisticated fraud…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) has formalised a strategic partnership with Digital Edge (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd. to migrate its IT production site to the NARRA1 data centre. The agreement was signed on 9 December 2025 in Manila. The move to NARRA1 is a key component of RCBC’s 2026 digital roadmap. Digital Edge describes the facility as the Philippines’ largest operating carrier-neutral data centre. By making this move, the bank intends to boost operational resilience and manage the surge in digital transactions. These steps are necessary as the local financial sector increasingly embraces AI and hybrid cloud technologies. RCBC Chief…

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…