Financial inclusion in the Philippines continues to remain low even before the disruption caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Financial inclusion, after all, involves more than just having a bank account. For the Philippines, inclusion means everyone has effective access to a wide range of financial products and services. Aside from savings, inclusion covers…
Here’s an idea: . To invest means to devote yourself to growing a certain aspect of your life. Understandably, your mind can immediately snap to money, but there are plenty of things to invest in—not with your coin, but with your energy. Take the time to sharpen your skills or to learn new ones. Invest…
As the world comes to grips with rising fuel prices brought about the conflict in Ukraine and widespread inflation at a global scale, it’s still battling to recover lost momentum brought about by the COVID pandemic that saw all life virtually grind to a halt for two years. People slowly return to their normal lives,…
Digitalization and the use of technology has been integrated and ingrained in so many of our industries for decades, but nowhere has it been as swiftly and massively adapted as it has in the past two years amid the global health crisis. With public health and safety as an imperative, alongside the continuing necessity of…
A cashless society is one where cash is not the primary mode for financial transactions. Instead, transactions are settled electronically using credit or debit cards, mobile or online payment apps and even QR codes. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) considers cashless payments not only as an alternative to banking transactions, but also as a…
With its new agency model, Insular Life (InLife) expects to attract more young Filipinos to join its sales force and double the current 4,000-strong agents by year-end. In a press briefing last week, InLife president and chief executive Raoul Antonio Littaua said they target to hit 8,000 agents by growing organically instead of poaching, which…
Three years ago, no country, government or central bank could have predicted the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our way of life and livelihoods. Its impact was keenly felt by everyone, particularly the vulnerable sectors of society. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has also become a catalyst in bridging the divide between the unbanked…
One of the sectors greatly affected and influenced by the global COVID-19 crisis is without a doubt the financial industry. From the way we do transactions—shifting to virtual or digital processes and management because of the need to isolate and socially distance ourselves—down to the increased interest in digital assets like crypto, the pandemic has,…
Let’s talk about loans. Sure, you’ve heard about the 80-20 savings trick or some daily savings tip that will help you save x amount by year-end. But sometimes, because of things like unexpected expenditures, emergencies, and even large purchases, your budget might fall short despite all your best efforts to save. That’s when loans can…
Palawan is often referred to as the country’s “last frontier” because of its rich forest and marine life that has also consistently put it on the list of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations. The conditions that gave Palawan its rich natural resources, however, have also contributed to making it a top breeding ground for the…