UBX: Changing the Face of Banking

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UnionBank recently held its 4th E-Talk Tales with the topic UBX: Changing the face of banking together with resource speakers John Januszczak, President & CEO of UBX and Matt Knolling, UBX Chief Investments Officer as they share the building platforms for digitally and financially underserved communities, while aggregating and virtualizing financial services to embed in the platforms of others.

For UBX, the technology innovation and investment arm of UnionBank, the future of banking is invisible; embedded into the activities and experiences that matter to businesses and consumers. “BigTech” and emerging non-banking technology platforms are achieving scale and client reach that exceeds that of traditional banks. Digital platforms have become the Main Street of today. UBX is building platforms for digitally and financially underserved communities, while aggregating and virtualizing financial services to embed in the platforms of others. 

Embedded into the experiences that matter - An example is SeekCap, an online credit marketplace for MSMEs, companies that drive over 60% of the economy yet have historically received less than 10% of credit provided by banks. Powering SeekCap is an embeddable lending platform: a digital end to end lending experience that connects multiple lenders to SMEs through platforms they use every day such as Lazada and accounting systems.

Build, Buy & Bridge: besides developing technology, UBX actively invests in the innovation of others through its venture capital fund: ventures such as XLog, a digital logistics platform and AI technology that leverages the vast amounts of data digital platforms are generating. UBX bridges gaps in digital capabilities through its technology services team to help businesses integrate embeddable financial services directly into their systems.

MSME Shift. COVID has drastically changed consumer behaviour and how businesses operate. Trying times have led to a golden age for Ecommerce in all sectors including MSMEs who depend on social platforms for marketing their products and communicating with their customers. BUX, with over 80,000 sellers signed-up, is an embeddable payments platform that accepts all methods of payment and integrates into platforms used by MSMEs for selling online: Facebook, Viber, and more comprehensive ecommerce platforms like Prestashop, Woocommerce, and soon Shopify. UBX even provides its own free ecommerce platform: Sentro. Everyone from casual sellers to mid-tier businesses can create an online web store with built-in inventory management, order tracking, shopping cart, BUX for payments, and courier services such as Mr. Speedy. MSMEs can start selling online in a matter of minutes!

UBX platforms have a positive and material impact on financial inclusion. i2i is a real time payments network connecting community based financial institutions to each other and the national retail payments system. The DSWD is currently leveraging the reach of i2i to distribute SAP relief. i2i helps institutions go digital with services such as i2i mobile ATM, agency banking, digital credit scoring, and more. While i2i is a blockchain enabled, real time payments network leveraging the first BSP approved stablecoin - it’s really about connecting the nation: whether it be distributing relief, sending funds to loved ones, or making it easier to do business in trying times.

UBX continues to invest in the future such as democratizing real estate through asset tokenization using our Biddit platform. UBX is helping to bring innovation from companies in the UBX venture fund to market: PDAX, a UBX investment, recently launched Bonds.ph, a blockchain enabled app that allows Filipinos unrestricted access to buy treasury bills directly through a mobile app. Now and in the future, UBX is changing the face of banking!

Who will win Century Tuna Superbods 2020?

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You've seen the candidates and their dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Now, it all boils down to who among the Century Tuna Superbods 2020 finalists will reign supreme! Happening on September 19, 2020, the event will show the new faces of fitness in the country as Century Tuna holds Everybod Superbod 2020: The Finals.

The Finals will take place after a series of digital competitions that allowed the Superbods to show what it truly means to #StayStrong amid the pandemic. They showed off their diet and fitness regimen, as well as empower others to pursue their own journeys towards a healthy lifestyle. Of course, they also became a source of hope, motivation, and inspiration as they opened up about their advocacies and encouraged their fans to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing in the new normal.

Following the challenges, the finalists will face each other one last time during The Finals where one male and one female grand winner will receive Php 500,000 each, as well as other amazing prizes.

During The Finals, Century Tuna will be also naming the winners of the special awards namely Superbods Ageless Awards, the Superbods Advocacy Awards, and the Superbods Social Impact Awards.

Other awards to be given in The Finals include Mr. and Ms. Dermaworld, Mr. and Ms. Congeniality, and Mr. and Ms. Photogenic.

There will also be eight winners of the digital challenges. Four winners will be selected for the Kraver's Canteen #FishEveryDay Challenges, two for the Fitness Challenge, and another two for the Stay Strong Challenge.

To help determine the winners, Century Pacific Food, Inc. executive vice president and chief operating officer Greg Banzon, Century Tuna marketing director Carlo Endaya, triathlete and SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, GMA Network senior assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, actress, mom and fitness advocate Isabelle Daza, and actress and the ultimate Ageless fitspiration Alice Dixson will be part of the esteemed panel of judges.

Of course, The Finals would not be complete without this year’s Century Tuna Superbods ambassadors Alden Richards and Nadine Lustre. The two stars will be joining top celebrity Marc Nelson as hosts of the highly anticipated event.

You may catch Everybod Superbod 2020: The Finals on September 19 at 5:00PM on Century Tuna's official Facebook page. It will also be televised on GMA on September 27 at 10:05AM. For more information, make sure to like and follow @centurytuna on Facebook and @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram.

San Pablo Colleges, Inc. gets AHEAD with the help of Globe

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Due to COVID-19 pandemic, institutions are establishing a new normal in education, shifting from face-to-face instruction to use of cloud-based educational systems. As schools are slowly moving to online learning, San Pablo Colleges, Inc. partnered with Globe for the use of an innovative platform known as Brightspace Learning Management System (LMS).

The school secured Brightspace (LMS) licenses and integrated it with the Alternative Home/Hybrid Education and Asynchronous Distance Learning (AHEAD) platform. With AHEAD, students can continue with their education anytime and anywhere while still ably guided by their teachers. 

“We’ve partnered with Globe for almost four years now, and, so far, it has been a good partnership. What had started as direct Wi-Fi for the school has evolved into acquiring additional products such as subscriptions for Zoom which has been helpful for staff meetings and classes, Globe Amber Auto SMS, training for G Suite, and the Brightspace LMS,” shares Prof. Carmela Maria Cielito Eala, Vice President for Administrative Affairs and Human Resource Director of San Pablo Colleges, Inc.

Prof. Eala adds that with the help of Globe’s reliable team, the school has acquired the technology needed to step up and deliver quality online education in the new normal. The partnership has transitioned from providing simple connectivity to offering a trusted and reliable means of communication within the institution.

#Recreate. The way we learn.

Globe is helping institutions integrate technology through mySchoolSURF, a lineup of internet promos designed to help students and instructors. Plans start at P199, which comes with 34GB of data allocation valid for seven days.

All plans come with 4GB daily data allocations for pre-defined apps useful for learning. This includes video conferencing tools like Zoom, and research and productivity platforms such as Office 365, Canva, Blackboard, and Course Hero. It also comes with access to messaging apps like Viber, Whatsapp, and Facebook Messenger. Institutions can allot data for other platforms for exams, special projects, or other learning needs.

By bridging teachers to information and technology that enable continuous learning, especially during times of crisis, Globe continues to prove itself an invaluable partner in promoting 21st Century Learning and in improving resilience in education.

Learn more about our offers at https://www.globe.com.ph/business/sme/education-offers.html.

5 tips for safe grocery shopping

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With this pandemic currently going on, one of the things that is surely on everyone’s mind is staying safe and healthy, especially while doing groceries and getting essentials for the home.

As we all know by now, there’s no harm in taking extra precautions—with these tips, you can minimize the risks you take while shopping for groceries:

1. Wear full protective equipment

While sometimes, wearing a face mask can be enough, you might also want to consider wearing a full set of protective gear. Face shields and gloves can definitely help with reducing the risk of contracting illnesses.

2. Go during off-peak hours and days

If possible, you should try going to the supermarket when there are fewer people around. Try going to the store on weekdays and during early mornings to avoid the rush of shoppers.

3. Keep a list and stick to it

The less time you spend in the actual grocery store, the better. Before going to the supermarket, make a list of all the items you really need so you know where to go and finish shopping quickly. Sticking to your list also helps you in preventing unnecessary purchases.

4. Avoid using cash and disinfect your items

If you’re able to, consider paying for your groceries either with card or other forms of contactless payment. Paper money has a higher risk of carrying viruses and diseases, so the less contact with other people, the better. Don’t forget to disinfect your hands as well as the items you bought with alcohol or disinfectant sprays!

5. Shop for your groceries online

For those who really want to stay the safest while still getting the things they need, online shopping is always an option. Most brands are already available from your favorite online stores. All you need to do is wait for your orders, disinfect the products once they arrive, and they’re ready to use!

One such brand that’s now available online is NutriAsia—with an online store on both Lazada and Shopee, you can now shop for your trusted and beloved Silver Swan, Datu Puti, UFC, Golden Fiesta, Mang Tomas, Locally, Papa, and Jufran food products in the safest way possible!

To start shopping for NutriAsia online, just visit their e-stores on Shopee (https://shopee.ph/nutriasiaofficialstore) and Lazada (https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/nutriasia/).

Singlife and GCash now offering no-fuss protection to Filipinos

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Entering the market, mobile-first life insurer Singlife Philippines officially launched its partnership with the country’s leading mobile wallet GCash, showcasing an innovative customer experience that will be available on the GCash app.

Life insurance has been present in the Philippines for more than a century, but only 5% to 6% of the insurable population own at least one policy. Market research indicates that another 15% to 20% of Filipinos are attracted by the value of life insurance. While some still haven’t purchased a policy as they feel intimidated to speak with sales representatives, others who have purchased found the overall value and customer service lacking. These often lead to discontinuation of contributions – and in most cases, waiving of benefits.

Singlife identified several hurdles that prevent people from getting insured: limited access, complex products, and high premiums. Limited access to buy through financial advisors lead to doubt if the customer’s needs are indeed prioritized, and whether the financial advice given is best for them. High premiums come with the expectation that payments will be made in 5 to 20 years’ time to optimize the value of the policy. And in some cases, some policies hardly survive until the end of the payment period and realize the benefits promised at the moment of purchase. These are affirmed when negative experiences are shared among friends and family and affect decision-making, especially for first-time customers.

To address these concerns, Singlife uses digital technology to redesign its products and offer fuss-free protection. “What makes Singlife’s products different is that they are designed to be meaningful: offering basic protection that is easy to purchase, easy to manage, and easy to maintain. We do not have anything to hide and that makes it possible to be transparent and clear. You can always ensure that our solutions fit your financial needs, and that you are not bound by long-lasting contracts preventing you from optimizing the value of the product. Singlife empowers you to be in control.” said Singlife Philippines President and CEO Rien Hermans.

Expanding its presence from Singapore to the Philippines, Singlife partnered with GCash as it offers simple and flexible products at affordable prices, with a similar goal of unlocking the potential of money for all Filipinos. “This partnership comes at a crucial time when health and financial security are a priority. Leveraging Singlife’s technology and offerings, we have an opportunity to provide more Filipinos with meaningful life insurance products that can effectively protect them and secure their financial well-being,” said GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon.

Apart from the partnership, Singlife and GCash will launch their first product: Cash for Dengue Costs, a comprehensive yet affordable protection product that provides a multi-level benefit against medical costs due to mild to severe cases of Dengue – a first of its kind in the market. This product is very flexible with customizable coverage levels, payment terms, and the option to cover an individual or the whole family. As an introductory offer, Singlife will extend the cover by adding a free COVID-19 rider – providing customers protection from both the ongoing pandemic and seasonal worries that they should watch out for themselves and their families. 

Proving to be customer-centric and user-friendly, the application process for Cash for Dengue Costs only takes less than five minutes. Customers can even pay, view, manage, and file claims on their Singlife policies directly in the GCash app. “This innovation is indeed made possible by fully utilizing technology and digital processes to ensure that Filipinos have a seamless and paperless experience, allowing policies to be issued and managed real-time,” shared Sazon.

Initially made available to a limited group of GCash users this September, Singlife’s Cash for Dengue Costs will be made available to all verified GCash users via the GCash Insurance Marketplace later this year along with other Singlife protection products.

“Singlife’s vision for this partnership with GCash is making simple yet meaningful health and income protection products available to all Filipinos. This is why we are also preparing to release a full suite of products in the coming months so that the rest of the Philippine population can have no-fuss protection, helping them take better control of their financial lives in an easy, quick, and affordable manner,” concluded Hermans.

About Singlife Philippines 

Singlife Philippines is a majority-owned subsidiary of Singlife (65%) with partners Di-Firm (20%) and Aboitiz Equity Ventures (15%). Singlife believes it can unlock the potential of money for everyone by offering innovative tools & solutions that put people in control of their finances and make them financially confident. 

About GCash 

GCash is the country’s leading mobile wallet in the Philippines with more than 25M users, over 73,000 partner merchants, and thousands of cash in / cash out partner institutions. Its mission is to provide Finance for All through #GcashEveryday. The company has done this before through its various services that make payments and sending money easier. Recently, GCash has made their move towards offering users a suite of financial services such as savings, on-demand credit, and investments. Offering insurance is the next step towards this goal.