by Sonia Vasquez | Jul 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
WIDER ACCESS TO CONSUMER LOANS. FINTQ, the financially technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations, is working together with the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM) for faster and more convenient access to consumer loans with the help of digital technology. In photo are (from left) FINTQ Managing Director Lito Villanueva; Voyager President and CEO Orlando B. Vea; PLDT, Smart, Voyager, and FINTQ Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; PBCOM President and CEO Patricia May T. Siy; PBCOM Executive Vice President & Head for Retail Banking Jaime Valentin L. Araneta; and, PBCOM Consumer Finance Group Sales Head Ricardo R. Mendoza
[21 JULY 2017] Philippine Bank of Communications, Inc. (PBCOM) and FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations, recently inked a partnership that will further boost PBCOM’s consumer lending business by expanding its offerings in the digital space through Lendr, the latter’s pioneering and award-winning digital lending platform.
Once launched, PBCOM’s home, auto, and personal loan products will immediately be available via Lendr (www.lendr.com.ph), an innovative digital lending platform that allows for easy and convenient loan application and submission of requirements via online or mobile devices.
“We’re glad to welcome PBCOM into the Lendr ecosystem, which will help empower more Filipinos through easy and convenient access to their loan products. This marks a huge milestone in our pursuit of greater financial inclusion across the country through the marriage of trailblazing digital technology from FINTQ and innovative loan products from our partner banks such as PBCOM,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman at PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ.
“Over the past year, we have seen tremendous growth in various areas of our business, including consumer loan products. We intend to continue this growth momentum by tapping and exploring other avenues for our various offerings, including digital platforms such as Lendr,” added Patricia May T. Siy, President and CEO of PBCOM.
Loans on tap
By offering these products via a seamless, telco-agnostic digital platform like Lendr, PBCOM is extending the reach of its financial products and offering potential borrowers the convenience of applying for a loan, submitting their requirements, and getting notified about the status of their application all at the tap of their smartphones.
This move could help boost the growth of PBCOM’s various consumer loan offerings as industry-wide growth in loans for household consumption continues to increase, pegged at 23.6% as of March 2017, recent data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas suggests.
“Lendr not only plays a pivotal role in bringing financial products closer to Filipinos but also plays a key role in enabling our partner banks like PBCOM in their digital transformation. Through this partnership, we aim to serve and create more innovative and high-impact financial products that will be of tremendous value to a lot of customers nationwide,” said Lito Villanueva, Managing Director at FINTQ.
FINTQ’s various telco-agnostic digital lending platforms–which include Lendr, Mobile Loan Saver (with LANDBANK), and micro-lending Pera Agad (with Cash Credit)–have helped disburse more than P21 billion worth of loans since 2015 to over 135,000 borrowers nationwide, close to 80% of which are from outside Metro Manila.
Through its platforms, FINTQ currently has the most extensive digital lending footprint in the country today, with loan transactions coming from all 81 provinces, 90% of the 145 cities and 15% of the 1,490 municipalities. Lendr, FINTQ’s pioneer product, has already partnered with more than 30 banks and non-banks that are in various stages of onboarding.
To know more about FINTQ’s various financial technology offerings, visit www.fintiq.com. [END]
by Sonia Vasquez | Jul 14, 2017 | Uncategorized
Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Jaime Garchitorena, CIC President and CEO; Nestor Espenilla, Jr., BSP Governor; Atty. Tess Herbosa, SEC Chair; Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
[14 JULY 2017] FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations, today announced a string of new digital partnerships with banks and non-banking institutions for a variety of financial technology products and services, making it the biggest fintech firm operating in the Philippines today.
Among its newly signed partners for Lendr, its pioneering and award-winning digital lending platform, include the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), EastWest Bank, the Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM), Philippine Veterans Bank, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Insular Bank, Philippine Business Bank, Card Bank, Inc., Card SME Bank, Inc., Rizal Bank, Inc., Radiowealth Finance Company, Asialink Finance Corporation, Filidian Rural Bank, JK Capital, Esquire Financing, Algo Leasing, FINEX, Dun & Bradstreet, Cash Credit, FinScore, and PawnHero.
“We thank our partners for going on this voyage with us in pursuit of greater financial inclusion through FINTQ. Through the power of digital via mobile phones, we are helping bring financial products and services closer to Filipinos, literally at their fingertips,” added Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO at Voyager.
Across its digital lending platforms–which include Lendr, Mobile Loan Saver (with LANDBANK), and Pera Agad (with Cash Credit)–FINTQ has logged a total of over 135,000 loan applications worth a total of P21 billion since it launched in 2015. Close to 80% of these transactions were logged outside of Metro Manila and almost half were done beyond the usual banking hours, proving the financial inclusion effects of digital platforms.
Redefining the landscape
The year 2017 has so far been a banner year for FINTQ not just in the area of partnerships, but in developing and launching breakthrough digital products, platforms, and programs as well.
FINTQ’s broadest suite of fintech services are composed of platforms in the areas of digital lending, digital insurance, digital micro-investments, digital banking security, and alternative credit scoring facility for the unbanked and underserved segment, among others, that address key customer pain points and promote financial inclusion across the entire country.
“FINTQ now has the most expansive and the most robust financial technology platforms today, offering the widest suite of services that enable our partner institutions to deliver awesome customer experiences to everyone nationwide. This will help bring in more Filipinos into the financial system, and contribute in helping build the country’s emerging digital economy,” said Lito Villanueva, Managing Director at FINTQ.
Lendr has the most extensive digital footprint covering 100% of 81 provinces, 90% of 145 cities and 15% of 1,490 municipalities. Approximately, 23% of them were from low-income areas.
It also introduced ASEAN’s first digital agriculture loan through its Mobile Crop Loan in partnership with Producers Bank. Another innovation was Asia’s first digital medicine loan called TxtMED in partnership with RiteMed, the generics company of Southeast Asia’s largest pharmaceutical company Unilab. The Bicol region was also given the opportunity to experience digital loan application with the commercial rollout of Camalig Bank’s digital salary loan for employees of the Department of Education and key local government units.
Just recently, the company signed a groundbreaking partnership with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, Bayad Center, and Cignal Digital TV, Inc. for its community and income builder program Kasama Ka, which will help fast-track financial inclusion across the country through a robust and mobile-based referral program for Lendr.
FINTQ is also collaborating with Gotuaco, Del Rosario Insurance Brokers, Inc. for digital insurance service SureLite, which will provide affordable and flexible insurance options for all Filipinos.
It also recently signed up with Genuisto and Ailleron for local distribution of the Livebank platform enabling local banks and enterprises with virtual branching capabilities. It enables partners to drive sales and after-sales with sophisticated fully digital onboarding process.
Soon, the fintech firm will also be unveiling the country’s first digital micro-investment platform dubbed Investr, in partnership with Seedbox Philippines through ATR Asset Management, Inc. (ATRAM), a licensed investment company advisor. Through Investr, Filipinos will gain access to micro-investment funds online, starting at just P50.
“Revolutionizing the banking and financial industry in the Philippines takes a strong collaboration effort among FinTechs, the traditional banks, and other industry players, and we are glad that our latest partners have come on board to further reach more Filipinos as we strive for true financial inclusion with the help of digital.”
– Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of PLDT, Smart, and Voyager Innovations
Jose Misael Moraleda, Camalig Bank President; Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director; Geraldine Moraleda, Camalig Bank COO; and Noel Rosal, Legazpi City Mayor
Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ Chairman; Andres M. Cornejo, Producers Bank Chairman and CEO; Gilda Pico Producers Bank Board Director; and Manuel A. Castañeda III, former Producers Bank President and COO
Vincent Patrick Guerrero, RiteMed Philippines, Inc. General Manager; Liduvino Geron, LANDBANK Branch Banking Head/EVP; Alex Buenaventura, LANDBANK President and CEO; Julio Climaco Jr, LANDBANK EVP.; and Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
Paul D. Lazaro, DBP First Vice President; Nilo S. Cruz, First Senior Vice President and CIO of DBP / President and CEO of DBP Data Center Inc.; Cecilia Borromeo, DBP President and CEO; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, and Voyager Chairman; and Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO
Jesus Roberto S. Reyes, EastWest Bank President & Deputy CEO; Jacqueline S. Fernandez, EVP & Consumer Lending Head; Jonathan T. Gotianun, Chairman; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ Chairman; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Ernesto R. Alberto, Chief Revenue Officer and EVP of PLDT; and Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director 6 Marivic M. Austria, CARD President and CEO; Flordeliza L. Sarmiento, Vice Chairperson for Administration; and Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, CARD MRI Founder and Chairman; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ Chairman; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Ernesto R. Alberto, Chief Revenue Officer and EVP of PLDT; and Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
Marivic M. Austria, CARD President and CEO; Flordeliza L. Sarmiento, Vice Chairperson for Administration; and Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, CARD MRI Founder and Chairman; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ Chairman; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Ernesto R. Alberto, Chief Revenue Officer and EVP of PLDT; and Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
Top row Adnan Biruar, ARMM Chapter President; Jose Erwin Esguerra, Sr., Region IV-A Chapter Pres.; Neson Maraña, Region V Chapter Pres.; Ricardo Corpuz, NCR Chapter Pres.; Mario Subagan, Region I Chapter Pres.; Noli Villarosa, NIR Chapter Pres.; Abelardo Pangilinan, Region IV-B Chapter Pres.; Randy Opisan, Region XI Chapter Pres.; Dindo John Lignig, Region VI Chapter Pres.; Cesarve Siacor, Region X Chapter Pres. Bottom row Gerard Hilarion Ramiro, VP for Mindanao; Lorenzo Zuñiga, Jr., Secretary-General; Edmund Abesamis, Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas National Pres; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ Chairman; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Ernesto R. Alberto, Chief Revenue Officer and EVP of PLDT; and Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
Arthur L. Panganiban Jr., President and CEO; Albert del Rosario, Director; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, and Voyager Chairman; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
Phillip Hagedorn, Atram Trust Corporation Chief Investment Officer; Deanno Basas, Atram President and Managing Director; Michael Ferrer, Seedbox Technologies, Inc. President; Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Smart, and Voyager Chairman; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director
Top row Guillaume Danielou, FINTQ Product Manager; Antonio Tan Jr., IPE Asia Co, LTD Marketing Director; Greg Trinidad, U.S. Franchiser and Trading Co. President Bottom row Lito Villanueva, FINTQ Managing Director; Orlando B. Vea, Voyager President and CEO; Shane Hermans, Managing Director; Jimmy Yong, International Business Development Director
by Sonia Vasquez | Jun 15, 2017 | Uncategorized
Lito Villanueva, Managing Director at FINTQ, underscores the need to fast-track the digital transformation of rural banks in order to promote financial inclusion across the country. The speech was delivered during the recent Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) Convention held recently in Baguio City.
[15 JUNE 2017] To realize the vision of financial inclusion across the country, regulators and industry players must work together to fast-track the digital transformation of rural banks, which play a key role in developing the countryside, an executive from financial technology firm FINTQ remarked during a conference recently.
Speaking during the annual convention of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) in Baguio City recently, FINTQ Managing Director Lito Villanueva likewise stressed how digital can level the playing field and enable rural banks to compete with the bigger commercial banks.
“Just recently, FINTQ launched the first rural bank on Lendr through Camalig Bank in Bicol, which will help borrowers from around the region to lessen travel time and have their salary loan applications approved in as fast as 24 hours. Providing access to finance to the farthest reaches of the country is really where digital can help bridge critical gaps toward a more inclusive Philippine economy,” Villanueva said. FINTQ is the financial technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations.
Aside from Camalig Bank, Lendr also recently launched the country’s first digital agri crop loan on Lendr in partnership with Producers Bank, which helps farmers gain access to finance for purchase of various crops and seeds.
Digitized lending
One of the keys to unlocking inclusive finance, he added, is disrupting the high cost of credit assessment and verification for borrowers, which can only be realized if banks are able to digitize their processes and turn customers’ digital trails into financial track records.
To help rural banks embark on this digital journey, FINTQ through its pioneering and award-winning digital lending platform Lendr has launched a shared-services program in partnership with RBAP, which will help small rural banks gain access to game-changing technology platforms at a much lower cost and investment.
By engaging on a shared-services agreement with the industry group, Lendr is able to easily onboard rural banks onto its platform–eliminating the costly and sometimes lengthy process and having the banks’ loan products available on Lendr in as fast as three weeks.
“Our collective objective is to determine how stakeholders could leverage on mobile technology in parallel with a proactive and dynamic regulator, which will help in accelerating the digitization of financial transactions in line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goal of having 20% of all financial transactions to be done via electronic means by the year 2020,”Villanueva added.
Fully electronic
Through Lendr, rural banks will be able to offer a variety of loan products to customers wherever they are in the country, and easily evaluate and decide on their loan applications since every step of the loan application process–from selection of loan, to filling out of forms, to uploading of documentary requirements–is done via a mobile phone or online.
To date, Lendr has signed up close to 40 banks and non-bank financial institutions on its platforms. Since launch, FINTQ’s various digital lending platforms–including Lendr, LANDBANK Mobile Loan Saver (with LANDBANK), and Pera Agad (with Cash Credit)–have helped disbursed close to P20 billion in loans to borrowers, around 70% of which reside outside Metro Manila.
“BSP welcomes this development in starting the journey towards digitizing bank lending. This is well aligned with the government’s thrust of promoting responsive and responsible banking. Ultimately, technology will not just level the playing field, but also will bring speed, convenience, cost efficiencies and transparency benefiting customers,” said Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. Deputy Governor and incoming Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Through its platforms, FINTQ currently has the most extensive digital lending footprint in the country today, with loan transactions coming from all 81 provinces, 90% of the 145 cities and 8% of the 1,490 municipalities. Lendr, FINTQ’s pioneer product, has partnered with more than 30 banks and non-bank financial institutions that are in various stages of onboarding
To know more about Lendr, visit www.lendr.com.ph. [END]
by Sonia Vasquez | Jun 8, 2017 | Uncategorized
Boosting SME growth through digital lending collaboration. In photo are (from left) Lito Villanueva, Managing Director at FINTQ; Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO at Voyager Innovations; Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman at PLDT, Smart, Voyager and FINTQ; Constante C. Lapuz, President at ALGO; Nelia V. Carlos, Executive Director at ALGO; and Glenn C. Penetrante, First Vice President at ALGO.
[08 JUNE 2017] The Equicom Group’s Algo Leasing & Finance, Inc. (ALGO) is set to expand the reach of its loan products primarily catered to small and medium enterprises to a wider set of Filipino entrepreneurs through Lendr, the pioneering and award-winning digital lending platform of FINTQ.
Through Lendr’s digital and mobile-based platform, SMEs from anywhere in the Philippines can apply for a loan from ALGO by simply visiting www.lendr.com.ph, and submitting their application and requirements online. Through this convenient service, SMEs are not only able to get near-instant access to financing but are able to better focus on running their businesses as well.
“SMEs are the backbone of Asian economies, with more than 98% of businesses in the region considered to be a part of this category. This collaboration between ALGO and Lendr will help further boost the growth and competitiveness of SMEs in the country, and in turn enable them actively participate in the growing digital economy worldwide,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman at PLDT, Smart, Voyager, and FINTQ.
“Infusing technology into various aspects of our operations has always been a part of our strategy at the Equicom Group, which is why we recognize digital as the next frontier in further growing our lending business at ALGO. Through Lendr, SMEs can conveniently gain access to financing options offered by ALGO, which will also help grow their ventures as well,” added Antonio L. Go, Chairman at Equicom Group. Apart from banking and finance, the Group has interests in healthcare and information technology.
ALGO has an authorized capital of P1.3 billion. It offers a suite of competitive financial products and provides convenient processing to the small and medium-sized enterprises – its chosen market segment.
With a workforce consisting of seasoned and competent leasing and financing professionals, ALGO constantly improves on its products and services and risk management analytics to serve its chosen market well. Equicom has been in the forefront of information technology since the mid 70’s. As a financial intermediary in the Equicom Group, ALGO takes advantage of the latest developments in this area and stays committed to innovation and service.
Digitizing access to lending
Developed by FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations, Lendr offers a seamless and convenient way for borrowers to apply and easily submit requirements for different loan products offered by various local banks and financial institutions.
Aside from SME loans, Lendr offers one of the most diverse portfolio of loan products that consumers and businesses can apply for, including home loans, auto loans, salary loans, crop loans, and DepEd loans, among many others.
“Through fintech platforms like Lendr, we enable banks and non-banks in their digital transformation and, in turn, help bridge the digital divide for individuals and businesses all around the country. Digital levels the playing field for all, and opens new opportunities for everyone to take part in the growing digital economy here and around the world,” explained Lito Villanueva, Managing Director at FINTQ.
FINTQ’s various telco-agnostic digital lending platforms–which include Lendr, Mobile Loan Saver (with LANDBANK), and micro-lending Pera Agad (with Cash Credit)–have helped disburse more than P20 billion worth of loans since 2015 to over 120,000 borrowers nationwide, 70% of which are from outside Metro Manila.
Through its platforms, FINTQ currently has the most extensive digital lending footprint in the country today, with loan transactions coming from all 81 provinces, 90% of the 145 cities and 8% of the 1,490 municipalities. Lendr, FINTQ’s pioneer product, has partnered with more than 30 banks and non-bank financial institutions that are in various stages of onboarding.
To know more about FINTQ’s various financial technology offerings, visit www.fintq.com. [END]
by Sonia Vasquez | May 17, 2017 | Uncategorized
Digital collaboration for growth in the countryside. The Camalig Bank, Inc. and Lendr, the pioneering digital lending platform of FINTQ, formally launch the Mobile Salary Loan program in Legazpi City, Albay, which will help Bicolanos gain instant access to loans at the touch of their fingertips. In the photo are (from left) Camalig Bank Chairman and President Miel Moraleda; FINTQ Managing Director Lito Villanueva; Camalig Bank COO Geraldine Moraleda; and Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal.
[17 MAY 2017] LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY – The Camalig Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank), together with FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations, has rolled out mobile-based loan applications to borrowers in Bicol through the pioneering and award-winning digital lending platform Lendr.
With the help of Lendr, qualified Department of Education teachers, government workers, and private-sector employees are now able to apply for loans using Internet-connected mobile devices and get notifications for their loan applications all within the same day.
“We’re happy to partner with Camalig Bank in this effort of empowering borrowers in low-income cities and municipalities in the Bicol region through mobile-based digital lending via Lendr. Through a fast and convenient application system, many are now gaining access to formal finance which will help them participate in this rapidly growing digital economy,” said Lito Villanueva, Managing Director at FINTQ.
No need to file leave
The province of Bicol, which is composed of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon, features a geography much like the entirety of the Philippines, with hundreds of distinct and isolated islands that make accessibility a challenge for most banks.
Typically, borrowers would have to file a leave from work just to be able to apply for a loan at bank branches located in the urban centers of the province. The trip usually takes them at least two hours one way, with most traveling as much as 57 kilometers just to reach the town proper whenever they need a loan. Now, through Lendr, borrowers in Bicol can easily apply for a salary loan from Camalig Bank using only their mobile phones.
“The digital age has ushered so much convenience for all. Part of our transformation efforts at Camalig Bank is to bring such benefits to our clientele in the Bicol region, and to be able to serve more clients, even those in far-flung municipalities that are traditionally out of our reach,” said Miel Moraleda, President of Camalig Bank.
Camalig Bank is the largest rural bank in Bicol, with presence in most of the provinces in the Bicol region.
Toward greater financial inclusion
The partnership between FINTQ and Camalig Bank through Lendr forms part of the support for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, which aims to establish programs and systems that ensure access to financial products and services for the traditionally unbanked and underserved communities in the country.
At the heart of these financial inclusion efforts are mobile and digital systems like Lendr, which enable banks and financial institutions to serve traditionally untapped markets even without establishing brick-and-mortar branches in these areas.
“BSP welcomes this development in starting the journey towards digitizing rural bank lending. This is well aligned with the government’s thrust of promoting responsive and responsible banking. Ultimately, technology will not just level the playing field, but also will bring speed, convenience, cost efficiencies and transparency benefitting customers,” said BSP Deputy Governor and incoming Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.
“Mobile brings anytime, anywhere access to financial products and services for everyone. In this era of digital, banks must respond to the changing consumer landscape, so that they may be able to service more Filipinos that are still not within the reach of the banking and financial ecosystem. We are glad to be partnering with local banks with the guidance of BSP to realize that vision,” Villanueva explained.
FINTQ’s various digital lending platforms–which include Lendr, LANDBANK Mobile Loan Saver, and micro-lending Pera Agad–have since disbursed over P19 billion in loans to more than 130,000 borrowers, 70% of whom reside outside Metro Manila. This means the benefits of digital are now being felt by more Filipinos around the country, reaching far-flung cities and municipalities–a definite boost for financial inclusion nationwide.
To know more about Lendr, visit www.lendr.com.ph. For more information about Camalig Bank, log on to www.camaligbank.com.ph. [END]
A member of one of Albay’s LGUs tries out the Camalig Bank Mobile Salary Loan program powered by Lendr
Camalig Bank President Miel Moraleda
FINTQ Managing Director Lito Villanueva
Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal
