Luzon Institutional Partners lead the charge toward a digitally inclusive Philippines at GCash Digital Excellence Awards 2025

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The 5th GCash Digital Excellence Awards (GDEA) drew the curtain on another milestone evening for Philippine governance, spotlighting the local government units and national agencies that are actively reshaping how Filipinos access public services faster, safer, and entirely cashless.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the ceremony gathered awardees under this year's theme: "Recognizing Digital Pioneers: Empowering the Public Sector for a Modern, Inclusive Philippines." Of the 45 awardees recognized nationwide, 32 came from Luzon, a testament to the region's growing commitment to digital governance and financial modernization.

Through the digital payment infrastructure of GCash, these institutions have made tangible strides in building government services that are not only efficient but accessible to every citizen, regardless of location or circumstance.

Leading the charge in the Ilocos Region, the Bauang Public Market of the Municipality of Bauang, La Union, was honored for championing sustainable financial digitalization across public market transactions, making cashless payments a daily reality for vendors and buyers alike.

In Cagayan Valley, the Metropolitan Tuguegarao Water District earned recognition for improving citizen access to water-related services through secure digital payment channels and streamlined online service options.

Central Luzon emerged as a strong cluster of awardees, with five institutions receiving citations: the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, the City Government of Baliwag and its Baliwag Public Market in Bulacan, the Municipality of Morong, and the Provincial Government of Bataan. Across urban centers and provincial communities alike, these LGUs have rolled out digital payment systems for local fees, utilities, and market transactions while expanding their online service footprints.

Also recognized for Digital Transformation Excellence in Utility Efficiency was the Metropolitan Naga Water District, underscoring how utilities are embracing digital tools to improve service delivery. Meanwhile, CALABARZON contributed four recognized institutions to the roster: the City Government of Santa Rosa in Laguna, the City Government of Imus in Cavite, the Municipality of Tanay, and the Pililla Water District in Rizal, each implementing traceable, citizen-friendly digital systems that simplify access to government services.

Rounding out Luzon’s awardees are the Municipality of Mauban, Quezon, and its Mauban Public Market, the City of Lucena, and the Provincial Government of Quezon, and Antonio L. Raymundo, Jr., President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Bataan Chapter, who were recognized for their efforts to expand online payment channels and digitize public services across provincial towns—bringing modern governance closer to the communities that need it most.

The ceremony also recognized several national government agencies for advancing digital transformation and financial inclusion in public service. The Department of Transportation – Metro Rail Transit Line 3 received the Digital Breakthrough Growth Award for expanding digital payments in commuter services. The Land Bank of the Philippines, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation were named Champions for Digital Advocacy and Connectivity for widening access to digital financial services. The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) earned the Leader in Sustainable Financial Digitalization Award for its long-standing digital initiatives, while the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the Bureau of the Treasury were cited as Catalysts in Financial Inclusion for strengthening digital access and transparency in public financial systems. The Department of Trade and Industry also received the Excellence in Digital Transformation Award for integrating digital platforms into services that support Filipino businesses.

Mynt Chairman Ernest Cu credited the partnerships that made progress possible across these communities. "2025 was truly a year where GCash doubled down on its commitment through partnership with the government in advancing digitalization in our country. We are moving beyond ear access to delivering world-class innovations that people use daily. We could not have reached these heights alone. Together, we have brought strengthened fiscal management, streamlined disbursements, and connections to the LGU," he said.

GCash VP and Head of Public Sector Cleo Santos also added, "We are one with the government in the mission to serve every Filipino. Everything we do is anchored in our shared vision of finance for all. Every leader here tonight is a testament to the belief that no Filipino should be left behind in the digital economy,"

The GDEA's award categories were designed to meet institutions where they are in their digitalization journey. First-year adopters were recognized through the Digital Breakthrough Growth Award, while the Excellence in Digital Transformation Award honored agencies that have demonstrated sustained growth in digital transactions from 2022 to 2025.

Sector-specific recognition was given through awards for Digital Transformation Excellence in Healthcare, Education, and Utility Efficiency, while the Catalyst in Financial Inclusion Award celebrated programs that meaningfully expanded financial access for underserved Filipinos.

Long-standing partnerships were honored through the Leader in Sustainable Financial Digitalization Award, which is reserved for agencies with at least five years of collaboration with GCash. The Leader in Sustainable Financial Digitalization for Public Market pushes for governments' call for cashless payments and payment options. These Public Markets maintain at least 70% active vendors using GCash as a payment option to its customers.

The numbers underscore the momentum. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reports that over 97% of government-to-government and government-to-employee transactions are now digitally processed, while retail digital payments now account for more than 57% of total transaction volume nationwide.

Setting the bar for what digital transformation must achieve, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Ernesto Perez stressed that results must ultimately be felt by citizens.

"Digital excellence within government rests on tangible results experienced by individuals and enterprises. It is seen in faster transactions, simplified requirements, dependable payment channels, and platforms that reach communities regardless of geography or circumstance. Through this initiative, GCash and ARTA continue to champion the goals by promoting ease of doing business, enhancing digital payment systems, and fostering stronger collaboration between government and the private sector," he noted.

By putting the spotlight on Luzon's digital trailblazers, the 5th GDEA reinforces that the path to a modern, inclusive Philippines is already being built, one LGU, one transaction, and one empowered citizen at a time

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com.

GCash advances AI-powered fraud protection to safeguard digital payments

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A multi‑layered, AI‑powered security strategy showed how it protects millions of Filipinos from the next wave of scams

Digital fraud has evolved from technical exploits into psychological manipulation, targeting not just systems but human trust itself. Financial institutions face mounting pressure to respond with defenses that can learn, adapt, and scale in real time. At the recent Risk.net–AWS conference, GCash demonstrated how it is meeting this challenge, unveiling its multi‑layered, AI‑powered security strategy to protect millions of Filipinos from the next wave of scams.

(L-R) GASA security governance director Mel Migrino, PayMongo chief risk and compliance officer Josh Quinto, Maya compliance management head Mark Talib, 

and GCash chief risk officer Ingrid Beroña

During the conference, which focused on ‘Driving AFASA Compliance Through Advanced Fraud & FinCrime Detection’, hosted by Risk.net and Amazon Web Services (AWS) at Seda Hotel BGC in Manila, industry experts, from chief risk officers and compliance heads to security leaders and key stakeholders, gathered together to discuss how to operationalize the strengthened controls of the Anti‑Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), or Republic Act No. 12010 — a landmark law designed to combat the surge of financial cybercrimes such as phishing, smishing, and money muling.

GCash participated as one of the key speakers, with its Chief Risk Officer, Ingrid Beroña, joining the panel discussion on "Addressing Real-Time Fraud Detection, Authentication and Financial Crime Under AFASA's Circular 1213," where she led critical conversations on emerging fraud scenarios, AI-powered detection technologies, and the company's risk-based approach to compliance. She was joined by fellow leaders in the fintech landscape from Paymongo, GASA Philippines, and Maya.

When fraudsters weaponize AI

"AI-generated phishing and smishing are the biggest problems across different services that we have," Beroña shared. "Fraudsters are now able to craft phishing messages, even translating them into different languages and dialects."

The threat is amplified for the Philippines, which is one of the world's top social media adopters according to the Digital 2024 and 2025 Global Overview Reports by We Are Social and Meltwater. Large-scale social engineering campaigns deploy bots across platforms, while fake pages and merchants impersonate legitimate services with near-perfect accuracy.

As fraudsters weaponize AI, GCash has designed its defenses around four adaptive pillars. It begins with behavioral biometrics that screen user networks, paired with payload systems that monitor massive transaction volumes in real time. On top of this foundation sits adaptive risk profiling, tailoring security to each user. These controls are then scaled through a cloud‑based architecture capable of protecting millions of GCash user accounts simultaneously. Finally, the system continuously profiles consumer behavior, adjusting security controls in response to evolving activity patterns and transaction histories.

Furthermore, the GCash approach to AFASA ensures that the company is continuously working closely with fraud and cyber teams, AML specialists, and legal counsel while embedding AFASA discipline across the organization.

Strengthening ecosystem-wide defenses

The conference also highlighted how Circular 1213 strengthens controls across real-time fraud detection, identity integrity, authentication security, customer-protection alerts, and financial-crime monitoring, addressing how fraud and scams have evolved from isolated incidents to a regional crisis demanding coordinated response.

The conversations at the Risk.net and AWS event underscored a fundamental shift in how financial institutions must approach security. For GCash, having the largest digital ecosystem in the country means protection embedded at every layer, from onboarding through every transaction, continuously profiling behavior, and adjusting security controls based on risk. Technology that scales to handle massive volumes while maintaining the intelligence to identify subtle anomalies. It means security and privacy by design, not bolted on after the fact.

By anchoring security strategies in the realities of today's threat landscape rather than yesterday's playbooks, GCash continues building fraud prevention capabilities that protect users without compromising the seamless digital experience that drives financial inclusion.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Financial Independence Is the Real Power Move This Women’s Month and Maya Is Here to Help

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Women’s Month this year opened with a clear message: women are done settling for less. Across social media, conversations about respect and accountability have been louder than ever.

But empowerment isn’t just about calling things out. For many, it’s also about making sure they never feel financially stuck in the first place. Because independence doesn’t only show up in conversations or personal choices. It shows up in everyday decisions, including how we manage our money.

As the country’s #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform in the Philippines, Maya is helping more Filipinos take control of their finances with tools that make saving, spending, and borrowing easier to manage.

If you’re thinking about strengthening your own financial independence, here are a few places to start:

Start by Building Your Own Safety Net

One of the most empowering things you can do for yourself financially is having a buffer.

Life happens: a medical bill, an urgent repair, or a sudden trip. And when those things come up, having savings means you don’t have to rely on anyone else or scramble for solutions.

With Maya Personal Goals, you can create up to five savings targets for things like emergencies, travel, or future plans. Each goal earns 4% interest per annum immediately, and every ₱20,000 added increases the rate, reaching up to 8% p.a. on deposits of up to ₱100,000.

If you prefer a more structured way to grow your savings, Time Deposit Plus allows you to lock in funds for 3, 6, or 12 months, earning up to 6% p.a. on deposits of up to ₱1 million per account. With up to five accounts available, that’s as much as ₱5 million growing through disciplined saving.

Spend for Yourself. Not for Expectations.

Another part of financial independence is deciding what your money should actually go toward.

Used responsibly, credit cards can make everyday spending work in your favor. The Maya Black Credit Card, for example, turns routine purchases into rewards. Cardholders earn instant Maya Miles on all transactions — from groceries and bills to flights, hotel bookings, dining, and more.

At Maya Black Preferred merchants, you can earn up to 10X Maya Miles, helping rewards build faster on select purchases. Those Miles can later be used to offset future travel and lifestyle expenses.

With no annual fees for life, Maya Black also comes with premium perks like complimentary quarterly global lounge access, making travels more comfortable without the typical annual costs associated with premium cards.

For those who prioritize everyday savings, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card offers a practical way to make the most of your spending. Cardholders can enjoy up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% cashback on dining, and 1% cashback on other transactions, turning routine expenses into real savings.

Borrow When You Need To — But Borrow Smart

Independence doesn’t mean never seeking help. It means knowing your options.

For short-term needs, Maya Easy Credit offers a revolving credit line of up to ₱50,000, payable up to 30 days, helping bridge temporary cash flow gaps while giving you clear visibility into repayment.

For big goals or unexpected expenses, Maya Personal Loan provides up to ₱250,000 with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months, making it easier to manage obligations without unpredictable balances.

Having a variety of borrowing options means you can stay in control of the situation, not the other way around.

Let Your Money Grow Alongside Your Goals

Financial independence rarely comes from one big move. More often, it’s built through small decisions like saving consistently, spending intentionally, and making sure your money is working for you.

Keeping funds in Maya Savings can earn up to 15% interest per annum, credited daily, helping balances grow steadily while remaining accessible when needed.

Women’s Month is often about celebrating progress. But it’s also a reminder of something important: Independence isn’t just social or cultural. It’s financial too. And increasingly, more Filipinas are making sure they have both.

To know more, visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Approval and offer are subject to credit evaluation. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.

Boy Abunda Hosts PDAX Conversation Series on Money, Investing, and Financial Goals for 2026

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As Filipinos set sharper financial goals for the year ahead, the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) introduced “Tara, Bonding Tayo!”, a conversation video series hosted by the “Philippines’ King of Talk” Boy Abunda that makes money discussions timely and grounded in real-world experiences.

The series brings honest, relatable discussions about money, wealth, and everyday financial realities into the open, which is timely for this new season of reassessing financial goals. It centers on how Filipinos from different walks of life think about money, responsibility, and long-term security.

Instead of focusing on numbers, jargon, or financial products, the series centers on real-life stories where money decisions affect relationships, self-worth, and family dynamics. These are conversations many Filipinos recognize but rarely have out loud.

“Wealth can mean many things. For some, it’s peace of mind. For others, it’s time, freedom, or legacy. But one thing is for sure—everyone deserves a shot at creating their own definition of wealth. You could do it alone, but you don’t have to. This is where real journeys meet real lessons,” Abunda shared in his opening for the series.

The episodes focus on a mix of familiar faces and practical perspectives. Sam YG, celebrity radio and TV host, shares how investing in government bonds became his go-to approach for steadier, more secure money moves that helped him sleep better at night. Randell Tiongson, Director and registered advisor of the Registered Financial Planner Institute (RFPI), breaks down simple steps Filipinos can start today and explains why small, consistent actions often matter more than chasing big returns. While Dianne Medina, a celebrity mom, opens up about the financial challenges she has faced and the habits that helped her rebuild stability for her family.

The conversations featured in the series are anchored on PDAX’s broader effort to make investing and wealth-building more accessible to Filipinos.

PDAX is a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas–licensed virtual asset service provider that pioneered the tokenization of Philippine government bonds through Project Bayani, a landmark white paper estimating that the Philippines' tokenized-asset market could reach US$60 billion by 2030 across government bonds, mutual funds, equities, and other investment assets.

This initiative also digitized the Bureau of the Treasury’s Retail Treasury Bonds, making government-backed investments more accessible through digital platforms. These bonds are distributed by PDAX in partnership with its licensed bonds broker-dealer, PDAX Securities Inc. (formerly bonds.ph Inc.).

Today, PDAX provides access to a range of products, including government bonds requiring low investment amounts, allowing Filipinos to have more access to more stable, long-term investment options.

The digital asset exchange also offers products such as PDAX Gold, where users can trade gold digitally for as low as P500 through the PDAX app. It is also priced in grams, a unit used by Filipinos in jewelry or gold trading.

“Tara, Bonding Tayo!” reflects PDAX’s belief that financial understanding begins with conversation. It speaks to a generation balancing care, ambition, and responsibility, and reminds viewers that talking about money can also be an act of connection.

Episodes of “Tara, Bonding Tayo!” can be watched on PDAX’s official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@PDAXPH).

Fuse Financing highlights importance of partnerships in scaling credit access to the unbanked

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Fuse Financing, Inc., the lending arm of the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem GCash, underscored the importance of innovative financing structures at the 5th Asia Finance Forum, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its headquarters in Manila.

The forum highlighted a critical industry pain point: fintech companies face capital constraints that limit their ability to scale, as traditional debt markets remain restrictive. This bottleneck slows progress in extending credit to the underbanked and unbanked, ultimately curbing economic inclusion.

Addressing this challenge, Gabby Lacuesta, chief financial officer of Fuse, joined the panel discussion “Financing Growth: Unlocking Co-Lending, Capital Markets & Risk-Sharing for Fintechs.” Moderated by Apurva Kumar, senior investment specialist at ADB, the session also featured Irem Sayeed, chief risk officer at UGRO Capital; Fernanda Lima, partner at LeapFrog; and Luke Boland, head of Fintech Asia at Standard Chartered Bank.

The panel discussion underscored how co-lending and off-book funding partnerships create a synergistic relationship between fintechs and banks. Through the model, banks gain a vital deployment channel that reaches underserved customers, while fintechs like Fuse are able to cycle capital more quickly and extend their market reach. Fuse leverages the GCash ecosystem, which serves eight out of ten Filipinos, as a foundation to connect partner institutions with communities often excluded from traditional lending systems.

Lacuesta highlighted that building confidence across the entire lending process is the key to unlocking funding partnerships. "For GCash, the essential unlock was demonstrating to our partners that the end-to-end system—from acquisition and underwriting to collections and recoveries—is consistently effective, reliable, and working really well," he said.

The panelists also discussed the dynamic balance between on- and off-balance sheet lending, which shifts with market conditions and investor appetite. In practice, this balance ensures lending remains both sustainable and responsive to economic realities.

Beyond credit risk, the conversation emphasized operational and strategic risks, particularly in an environment where fintech platforms manage sensitive data at massive scale. With the reach of GCash extending to most of the country’s population, protecting customer information is a central priority and one of the most salient operational risks in digital lending. Managing these risks effectively ensures that co-lending models remain viable, efficient, and trusted.

Reflecting on Fuse’s trajectory, Lacuesta highlighted the importance of financial discipline in pursuing growth. “Where we are now would not have been possible without the different avenues for funding that we raised and developed along the way, including off-book lending,” he said. “For GCash, the experience has been really about balance.”

The Asia Finance Forum’s theme, “Bridging Financial Technology, Trust, and Regulation,” provided an essential venue to discuss regulatory frameworks that enable sustainable co-lending and other innovative financing structures. Regulators broadly support these models because of their potential to efficiently channel capital to the real economy, particularly underserved markets such as small businesses and low-income households.

By advancing co-lending and other innovative models, Fuse is committed to expanding opportunities for Filipinos and strengthening financial inclusion in Asia’s fast-growing economies.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

PH’s retail treasury bonds available on e-wallets for the first time through GBonds

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The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) expands access to its 31st Retail Treasury Bond offering for everyday investors via GBonds in the GCash app

 Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon

For the first time ever, the Philippine government’s Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB) have been made available on an e-wallet platform, as the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) enables small investors to purchase government securities through the GBonds feature of GCash.

“We are thrilled to bring RTB 31 to the GCash app. This collaboration significantly expands our reach, enabling more Filipinos to invest in government securities easily and securely. It’s a monumental step toward our goal of a more financially inclusive Philippines, giving more people the opportunity to build their savings and contribute to the nation's economic growth,” said the Treasurer of the Philippines, Sharon Almanza.

The BTr initially planned to issue a minimum offer size of P30 billion for the five-year (5Y) RTBs, but due to strong investor demand, it eventually sold P210 billion during the rate-setting auction which resulted in a 6% coupon rate.

GCash users who sign up for GBonds can instantly place a buy order for the government’s 31st Retail Treasury Bond Issuance (RTB 31) from August 5 until the end of the offer period on August 15.

“For a minimum investment of P5,000 with no extra fees, GCash users can instantly place a buy order for RTB 31 anytime within the offer period once they sign up for GBonds. More Filipinos will have the chance to take part in nation-building while taking a significant step toward their financial goals through this innovation,” said Martha Sazon, president and CEO of GCash parent Mynt.

“In making RTBs more accessible to millions more Filipinos, we’re also enabling retail investors to contribute to the P2.6 trillion borrowing program of the government to fund essential projects,” she added.

 (L-R) Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) deputy treasurer Kenneth Francisco, OIC deputy treasurer Nanette Diaz, treasurer of the Philippines Sharon Almanza, with Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon, and Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) deputy treasurer Eduardo Mariño III

  (L-R)  Landbank of the Philippines president and CEO Lynette Ortiz, Bureau of the Treasury national treasurer Sharon Almanza, Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon, and Department of Finance undersecretary and chief economist Domnini Velasquez

Powered by Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX), Inc. and Bonds.ph, in partnership with the Bureau of the Treasury, GBonds became available to the public in July, allowing fully verified users to access fixed-income government securities without the need for a bank account. Filipinos can place their bond investment order and get confirmation in a few minutes in the GCash app.

Getting started on GBonds is easy and simple. Fully verified GCash users with an updated KYC within the past 3 years just need to open the app, go to GInvest, select GBonds, and register for a PDAX account, subject to their terms and conditions, to complete the registration process.

To get a fully verified GCash account, users are encouraged to go through the KYC process within the app ahead of starting on GBonds. This involves providing personal information, uploading a valid government ID, and completing a selfie scan. For more information, visit the Help Center.

For updates about the Bureau of the Treasury’s latest offerings, visit www.treasury.gov.ph and like/follow their Meta Page at TreasuryPH.

Your Ultimate Guide to Credit Without the Burnout

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Let’s face it: credit is often misunderstood. For some, it’s a safety net. For others, it’s a cycle they can’t break. But the truth is, credit—when used with intention—can be one of your most powerful financial tools. The difference lies in how it’s built, and who it’s built for.

That’s where Maya, the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, stands out. Instead of treating credit as a one-size-fits-all solution, Maya designs tools that adapt to your real life—whether you’re managing emergencies, covering essentials, or working toward long-term financial wellness.

Here’s how Maya helps you borrow smarter, not harder:

Credit That Works When You Need It

Emergencies don’t wait for ideal timing. That’s why Maya offers Easy Credit[1], a revolving credit line of up to ₱30,000, available instantly when you need it. There’s no paperwork needed, and with up to 30 days to repay what you use.

The best part? It’s built into the Maya app, right where you manage the rest of your finances, so you stay in control without disruption.

Credit Without the Catch

When you need more than just a short-term boost, Maya Personal Loan[2] gives you access to up to ₱250,000, with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months. No collateral required.

Whether you’re handling a major life expense or consolidating existing debt, Maya’s loan product is designed to be predictable and manageable, so borrowing doesn’t turn into burden.

Credit Cards with Built-In Discipline and Rewards

The right credit card doesn’t just help you spend, it helps you earn. Maya’s Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card gives you up to 5% on Landers purchases, 2% on dining, and 1% on all other qualified transactions.

Looking for something elevated? The Maya Black Credit Card delivers more than just sleek design. It lets you earn instant Maya Miles—versatile points every time you spend. You can soon use them to pay for shopping or dining, convert your Maya Miles into airline miles right in the app, starting with partners like Philippine Airlines. Plus, get access to exclusive rewards through Maya’s in-app catalog, giving you more value with every spend.

Tools to Help You Borrow and Save Simultaneously

Maya understands that the best borrowing decisions happen when you're not operating on panic. That’s why you can pair your credit use with Personal Goals inside Maya. Create up to 5 savings goals, each earning 4% p.a. interest, and build buffers for upcoming expenses, from tuition to travel.

Responsible borrowing doesn’t mean saying no to credit. It means choosing tools that meet you where you are and help you grow from there.

Maya is here to champion financial choices that reflect who you are and where you’re going. That means more transparency, more control, and more respect for your time and your effort.

Visit maya.ph<https://www.maya.ph/> or mayabank.ph<https://www.mayabank.ph/>, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to learn more. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph<https://www.bsp.gov.ph>). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor.

PH represented by Filipina tech leaders at the 2025 Mobile World Congress

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Filipina tech leaders share perspectives on financial inclusion and how tech can be used to empower unserved and underserved communities in the Philippines

(L-R) Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association fintech vertical lead Brian Gorman, GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon, e& Money CEO Melike Kara Tanrikulu, and Axian Group CEO Erwan Gelebart.

Two Filipina tech leaders from Mynt, the holding company of GCash, the #1 finance super app in the Philippines—Martha Sazon, president & CEO, and Pebbles Sy, chief technology and operations officer—represented the country’s transformative adoption of connectivity, mobile tech, and the digital economy during the prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain

Sazon and Sy once again brought GCash’s mission of “Finance For All” to a global audience, who highlighted how fintech innovations can be used for social good—from increasing access to essential financial services within historically underserved communities to leveraging cutting-edge fintech developments to drive meaningful change and economic empowerment.

Redefining the super app

Martha Sazon was part of the MWC CEO Panel, “Fintech and Mobile Commerce Summit: Powering Mobile First Commerce,” which explored how companies like GCash can enhance the leapfrog effect of tech and artificial intelligence to address barriers to financial inclusion.

Sazon discussed how GCash first set out to meet an increased demand for seamless, mobile-first solutions among Filipinos as a money transfer app—but then went on to elevate its services by establishing a diverse and wide-ranging financial ecosystem that actively caters to unbanked and traditionally underserved sectors.

“Our money transfer services were the gateway to a broader digital economy. Across the years, and in response to our users’ needs, GCash has broadened its functionalities into a comprehensive selection of financial services, including savings, investments, insurance, and banking," explained Sazon. "Our work has empowered individuals to take control of their financial well-being and pursue economic opportunities previously out of reach, all from the convenience of their mobile phones.”

Sazon stressed that the key to the digital financial ecosystem’s success is how it focused on addressing systemic issues and the limits of traditional financial institutions: GCash aimed to break down fundamental barriers to inclusion, which included lack of infrastructure, lack of avenues for boosting financial literacy, and the lack of progressive solutions that allow for widespread access to services.

Today, GCash has accelerated financial inclusion in the Philippines, helping raise the number of customers with access to a bank account from 29% to 65%, those with access to formal credit from 2% to 8%, and those with access to insurance from 23% to 51%, all in four years.

The features of GCash range from payments and transfers that make online and offline commerce easier to lending solutions that utilize AI. A groundbreaking example of the latter is GCash’s in-house credit scoring model, GScore, which uses transactional behavior as a proxy for measuring a user’s creditworthiness and has ultimately changed the landscape of microlending.

GScore, in particular, has allowed GCash to disburse roughly $3.2 billion by 2024 to over seven million Filipinos, most of whom are women from underserved sectors. Its suite of solutions also includes tools for wealth management, with the company introducing bite-sized financial offerings to match the “sachet economy” of the Philippines.

“The conventional super app is defined as having multiple features in a single platform, but for us, a super app means being an everyday companion,” said Sazon. “It’s about constant innovation: We look at our daily use cases and find ways to make things better.”

Using fintech for empowerment

In addition to opening doors for the underbanked and underserved, GCash invests in innovations, such as APIs (application programming interfaces), which allowed it to connect and collaborate with service partners to deliver personalized solutions. These, in turn, have boosted the super app's capabilities in catering to a multitude of diverse, and personalized needs of its users.

During the "Platform Economy" MWC panel, which focused on increasing access to financial services through everyday apps and fintech ecosystems, Pebbles Sy shared how GCash's API integration has been a key factor in expanding reach and improving user experience.

She also noted how this approach has necessitated the continuous adoption and development of modular and reusable features that must work well with other app components: “Today, we’re connecting thousands of microservices on our platform through APIs. We also use APIs to connect with external partners like merchants and other service providers.”

According to Sy, when financial services are seamlessly integrated, they become second nature for its users. Thanks to APIs, GCash connects users with 1,200 billers and 17 insurers within the app, as well as with four partner banks for savings accounts and to a platform that enables Filipinos to invest with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Sy added, “This is where embedded finance goes beyond just inclusion. It’s not just about providing access to financial services; it’s about making them work for people [as they] build better financial habits, protect what they earn, and plan for the future.

The future is now for fintech

Meanwhile, during the MWC's "The Currency of Change" session—which discussed how mobile money contributes to GDP growth and how financial innovations drive economic development—Sy emphasized the importance of aligning the future of fintech with strategies for ensuring the security and sustainability of innovations.

Citing Google’s e-Conomy Southeast Asia Report in collaboration with Temasek and Bain & Company, she shared that the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing digital economy in the ASEAN region, where mobile money penetration more than quadrupled in the two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. These advancements highlight the profound economic impact of mobile money in the Philippines, which GCash is ready to safeguard and facilitate further.

She added, “At the end of the day, the goal is clear: We must make financial services accessible, safe, and empowering. We want to go beyond inclusion and see financial progress in Filipinos, which hopefully can [translate into] financial health and freedom.”

Filipina tech leaders share perspectives on financial inclusion and how tech can be used to empower unserved and underserved communities in the Philippines

Two Filipina tech leaders from Mynt, the holding company of GCash, the #1 finance super app in the Philippines—Martha Sazon, president & CEO, and Pebbles Sy, chief technology and operations officer—represented the country’s transformative adoption of connectivity, mobile tech, and the digital economy during the prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain

Sazon and Sy once again brought GCash’s mission of “Finance For All” to a global audience, who highlighted how fintech innovations can be used for social good—from increasing access to essential financial services within historically underserved communities to leveraging cutting-edge fintech developments to drive meaningful change and economic empowerment.

Redefining the super app

Martha Sazon was part of the MWC CEO Panel, “Fintech and Mobile Commerce Summit: Powering Mobile First Commerce,” which explored how companies like GCash can enhance the leapfrog effect of tech and artificial intelligence to address barriers to financial inclusion.

Sazon discussed how GCash first set out to meet an increased demand for seamless, mobile-first solutions among Filipinos as a money transfer app—but then went on to elevate its services by establishing a diverse and wide-ranging financial ecosystem that actively caters to unbanked and traditionally underserved sectors.

“Our money transfer services were the gateway to a broader digital economy. Across the years, and in response to our users’ needs, GCash has broadened its functionalities into a comprehensive selection of financial services, including savings, investments, insurance, and banking," explained Sazon. "Our work has empowered individuals to take control of their financial well-being and pursue economic opportunities previously out of reach, all from the convenience of their mobile phones.”

Sazon stressed that the key to the digital financial ecosystem’s success is how it focused on addressing systemic issues and the limits of traditional financial institutions: GCash aimed to break down fundamental barriers to inclusion, which included lack of infrastructure, lack of avenues for boosting financial literacy, and the lack of progressive solutions that allow for widespread access to services.

Today, GCash has accelerated financial inclusion in the Philippines, helping raise the number of customers with access to a bank account from 29% to 65%, those with access to formal credit from 2% to 8%, and those with access to insurance from 23% to 51%, all in four years.

The features of GCash range from payments and transfers that make online and offline commerce easier to lending solutions that utilize AI. A groundbreaking example of the latter is GCash’s in-house credit scoring model, GScore, which uses transactional behavior as a proxy for measuring a user’s creditworthiness and has ultimately changed the landscape of microlending.

GScore, in particular, has allowed GCash to disburse roughly $3.2 billion by 2024 to over seven million Filipinos, most of whom are women from underserved sectors. Its suite of solutions also includes tools for wealth management, with the company introducing bite-sized financial offerings to match the “sachet economy” of the Philippines.

“The conventional super app is defined as having multiple features in a single platform, but for us, a super app means being an everyday companion,” said Sazon. “It’s about constant innovation: We look at our daily use cases and find ways to make things better.”

Using fintech for empowerment

In addition to opening doors for the underbanked and underserved, GCash invests in innovations, such as APIs (application programming interfaces), which allowed it to connect and collaborate with service partners to deliver personalized solutions. These, in turn, have boosted the super app's capabilities in catering to a multitude of diverse, and personalized needs of its users.

During the "Platform Economy" MWC panel, which focused on increasing access to financial services through everyday apps and fintech ecosystems, Pebbles Sy shared how GCash's API integration has been a key factor in expanding reach and improving user experience.

She also noted how this approach has necessitated the continuous adoption and development of modular and reusable features that must work well with other app components: “Today, we’re connecting thousands of microservices on our platform through APIs. We also use APIs to connect with external partners like merchants and other service providers.”

According to Sy, when financial services are seamlessly integrated, they become second nature for its users. Thanks to APIs, GCash connects users with 1,200 billers and 17 insurers within the app, as well as with four partner banks for savings accounts and to a platform that enables Filipinos to invest with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Sy added, “This is where embedded finance goes beyond just inclusion. It’s not just about providing access to financial services; it’s about making them work for people [as they] build better financial habits, protect what they earn, and plan for the future.”

The future is now for fintech

Meanwhile, during the MWC's "The Currency of Change" session—which discussed how mobile money contributes to GDP growth and how financial innovations drive economic development—Sy emphasized the importance of aligning the future of fintech with strategies for ensuring the security and sustainability of innovations.

Citing Google’s e-Conomy Southeast Asia Report in collaboration with Temasek and Bain & Company, she shared that the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing digital economy in the ASEAN region, where mobile money penetration more than quadrupled in the two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. These advancements highlight the profound economic impact of mobile money in the Philippines, which GCash is ready to safeguard and facilitate further.

She added, “At the end of the day, the goal is clear: We must make financial services accessible, safe, and empowering. We want to go beyond inclusion and see financial progress in Filipinos, which hopefully can [translate into] financial health and freedom.”

Protect your personal data with these friendly reminders from UnaCash

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As fintech adoption continues to rise in the Philippines, financial services increasingly serve a role in addressing vulnerabilities and safeguarding information in the evolving digital landscape.

Data breaches, fraud, and identity theft are amongst these significant challenges, especially in a digital environment where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a growing role in the digital ecosystem. Amid this rapid digital advancement, there is a rising concern on data protection and application of security measures. Survey data released by Statista in 2024 revealed that 50% of respondents reported being targeted by phishing attacks, while 42% encountered smishing, a type of fraud scheme carried out through text messages.

Considering this, and as the global business landscape commemorates Data Privacy Day on January 28, a heightened awareness to combat these challenges and a recurring prompt highlighting the importance of taking proactive measures in safeguarding personal data are necessary

Moreover, financial services are the bearer of not only offering secure platforms, but also educating consumers on how to manage good financial hygiene. UnaCash takes a proactive approach by integrating both. The focus is to empower consumers to actively seek steps on understanding digital risks and become vigilant against potential threats, all the while learning how to choose a platform that demonstrates a commitment to security.

Here are detailed recommendations from UnaCash to support Filipino consumers on the best practices for safeguarding personal data.

Use strong and unique passwords. One of the most effective ways to protect online accounts is by using strong, unique passwords. Ensure that the corresponding accounts per platform uses a different password to guarantee that they are individually protected.

Enable two-factor authentication. Make sure to enable the two-factor authentication (2FA) on your financial apps and online accounts to add an extra layer of security. The second verification step, such as a one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile device or email, helps reduce the chances of unauthorized access for the account.

Learn to identify and beware of phishing scams. Phishing scams are one of the most common ways where personal information is obtained illegally. These can appear as emails, social media posts, or SMS messages from seemingly legitimate companies. Always double-check the source of any communication and avoid clicking unfamiliar links. Upon receiving one, you can immediately visit the official website of the company or inform their customer service to verify its authenticity.

Make regular updates on your software and apps. Updates ensure that security vulnerabilities are mitigated against potential hacking attempts. These updates often contain important security patches that can help you protect your data against emerging threats and keep your digital environment secure.

Always monitor personal transactions. Track transaction histories for any unusual activity or discrepancies. For unauthorized changes, immediately report to the service provider to ensure that the account remains protected from fraud.

"We have witnessed the digital landscape rapidly evolve in recent years. Financial solutions like us advocate consistently on educating consumers on how to practice good financial hygiene, and of course, navigate the digital space safely,” said Sean Plantado, channel manager of UnaCash. “We want our customers to be better equipped to safeguard their personal information, regardless of what platform they are using.”

The Commitment to Secure Data by UnaCash

Consumers belonging in the GenZ bracket are increasingly entering the marketplace, highlighting the need for robust data protection since this generation is a significant player in the retail space. Statista indicates that vulnerabilities can impact individuals as early as 18 years of age, matching the analysis from UnaCash where 23 million working-age individuals in Southeast Asia will be poised as primary contributors in the digital economy by 2030. With this emerging consumer base, the financial services reinforces its mission to provide a secure and informed financial platform for its client-base.

Below is a list of simple practices of UnaCash to promote data privacy protection:

● Advanced security features. Integration of encryption, a multi-layer authentication, and a dedicated fraud detection team to ensure that user data remains protected against cyber threats.

● Continuous consumer education. The data source and storage is found only in the UnaCash app, which consumers are responsible when it comes to and encourages users to generate a pin to open their account apart from the one-time password (OTP) authentication process.

● Responsive support. A dedicated customer support team ensures that users have access to timely assistance, be it in the physical store or through the UnaCash communication channels. This applies to suspicious activity or even resolving account concerns, a swift and effective support is being prioritized.

● Compliance on data privacy security measures. UnaCash is compliant with the NPC, adhering to the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and is continuously implementing data protection protocols. There are consistent security assessments to uphold the transparency and accountability in handling every customer’s data. Alongside this, UnaCash never stores application details physically or digitally through any other platform aside from its app to protect its overall storage location.

“It is important to highlight that awareness on financial security goes hand-in-hand with the broader goal of protecting personal data. A financially literate consumer is most likely to use secure platforms, easily identify risks, and take proactive steps to protect their respective data. UnaCash remains committed to fostering a culture of security and trust, ensuring that Filipino customers are confident with their financial journey without compromising their personal information in the digital space,” Plantado concluded.

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About UnaCash

UnaCash offers people-centric, in-app and in-store digital financial solutions tailored to the evolving needs of Filipinos. Its ‘Buy now, Pay later’ service has been upgraded to include point-of-sale loans, accessible via online and in-store partner merchants.

With the help of analytics and data-driven technologies, UnaCash is driven to continuously improve products and develop new services that will bridge critical financial gaps in the Philippines. The UnaCash app is available through the Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.

UnaCash services have been recognized by outstanding organizations from 2023 to 2024, namely the Global Business Magazine, The Global Economics, Global Business & Finance Magazine, International Finance, Retail Banker International, World Business Outlook, and The Digital Banker.

Skyro officially launches its credit line product Skyro Pocket

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Skyro, a fast-growing fintech brand in the Philippines, has officially launched its new credit line product, Skyro Pocket. This latest offering from the brand provides customers with a swift and convenient payment solution, enabling them to shop at any QR Ph-enabled merchants nationwide.

Skyro Pocket serves as a flexible line of virtual credit provided exclusively to existing Skyro customers, offering personalized limits and accessible through the Skyro app. These credit limits can be further increased based on the customer’s timely repayment patterns and track record.

This new feature is compatible with a wide range of QR Ph codes, enabling customers to conveniently make payments at any store. Whether it's a printed or virtual QR code, Skyro Pocket accommodates both modalities. This compatibility extends to popular e-payment platforms such as GCash, Maya, or BDO QR codes, ensuring integration with various merchants and payment systems.

Arsen Liametov, co-founder and co-CEO of Skyro, shared his excitement: “Skyro Pocket empowers our customers to shop with ease, flexibility, and peace of mind while rewarding responsible financial behavior. We at Skyro are committed to pushing the boundaries of financial technology, empowering users and the Filipino community to thrive in today's digital economy.”

Eligible customers may enjoy an interest-free period of up to 45 days, allowing convenient repayments without incurring charges. For those with remaining balances, the customers may opt to have a minimum payment equal to 10 percent of their credit limit. Additionally, customers can make a free deposit once every month to settle their credit line balance, with subsequent deposits each incurring a nominal transaction fee of ₱25.

Access Skyro Pocket in just a few easy steps:

●       Navigate to the Skyro app and locate the Skyro Pocket feature.

●       Review the loan agreement and confirm by checking the box.

●     Click the "Sign the Agreement" button and enter the SMS code received on your registered mobile number.

Sergey Donskikh, Skyro's head of customer experience, underscored the company's dedication to delivering financial solutions that elevate both financial management and the shopping journey. He expressed, “At Skyro, ensuring seamless and innovative financial solutions is central to our mission. We're committed to providing a satisfying customer experience that transcends mere financial transactions, extending to enhancing their overall shopping experience as well.”

Skyro Pocket users may also enjoy the first six months free of charge, followed by a nominal fee of ₱ 59 per month thereafter.

Skyro is a fintech company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  To learn more about digital financial products from Skyro, visit its official website www.skyro.ph. Follow its official Facebook and Instagram accounts to know more about its latest promos and offerings.