Filipinos can now leave their physical wallets at home. This November, UnionBank has taken a monumental step in the nation's digital finance landscape by becoming one of the first banks to officially enable Google Pay for its customers in the Philippines.
A New Era of Contactless Payments
The arrival of Google Pay signals a significant leap forward in reimagining daily financial transactions for Filipinos. Whether you're purchasing your morning coffee, enjoying a meal with loved ones, or doing your weekly grocery shopping, the process is now simpler. UnionBank credit cardholders can complete purchases faster and more securely without ever needing to take out their physical card.
The process is incredibly straightforward. Using an NFC-enabled Android phone, users can simply tap their device at any terminal that accepts contactless payments. There's no need to type card details or fumble through a wallet. It’s a seamless tap-and-go experience.
Leadership on Digital Convenience and Security
Mukul Sukhani, the Cards and Consumer Lending Head at UnionBank, emphasized the bank's customer-centric approach. He shared that the bank is focused on making digital payments as intuitive and hassle-free as possible. With Google Pay, customers have a safe and convenient payment method that eliminates the need to physically carry their cards.
Prep Palacios, the Country Manager for Google Philippines, echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in the partnership with UnionBank. Palacios stated that this launch highlights Google's commitment to accelerating financial inclusion and supporting the growth of the Philippines' dynamic digital economy.
How to Get Started and Security Assurance
Activating this new feature is designed to be effortless. Users just need to download and open the Google Wallet app, add their UnionBank Visa Credit Card, and they are immediately ready to start making payments. All existing card benefits, including rewards, rebates, and cashback perks, remain fully accessible through the mobile device.
Security remains a top priority. Every transaction made through Google Pay is safeguarded by advanced encryption and tokenization technology. This system ensures that personal and card information is kept private. This security layer, combined with UnionBank's own robust protection systems, offers customers complete peace of mind with every purchase.
Albert Cuadrante, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at UnionBank, added that while the bank aggressively pursues digitalization, the ultimate benefit to the customer is the primary goal. Digital and cashless payment options are designed to integrate smoothly into the daily lives of Filipinos, offering unprecedented convenience.
This integration with Google Pay builds upon UnionBank's existing ecosystem of contactless solutions, such as the Tap to Pay feature on its own app, reinforcing its reputation as a digital trailblazer in the Philippine banking sector.
