Tailored for the Gen Z lifestyle, the new credit card offers no annual, interest, or foreign transaction fees

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, March 18, 2024 – In the Philippines, despite the financial industry’s recent attempts at digitalization, customers still face significant hurdles when it comes to accessing credit products. A recent study by TransUnion Philippines showed that 94% of Filipino Gen Zs see the importance of credit and lending products to reach their financial goals. Still, only 35% report having sufficient access to such products. 

“If you talk to any Filipino, there’s still significant frustration with the complexity, lack of transparency, and bureaucracy embedded in financial services. Only 8% of Filipinos own a credit card, largely because it is incredibly difficult to get one if you don’t already have one,”  said Danielle Cojuangco Abraham, Zed co-founder. 

Complicated application processes, tedious documentation, and arbitrary underwriting methods are among the challenges that disproportionately impact young people when applying for their first credit card accounts. Those lucky to get approved face astronomical APRs, punitive fees, and a broken customer experience. These observations led to the creation of Zed, the first credit card for young Filipino professionals.

“We founded Zed on the belief that young people in the Philippines and Southeast Asia deserve better financial products, better technology, and ultimately better service tailored to their lifestyles and exceeding their expectations,” Danielle added.

Created by two Stanford engineers and Y-Combinator alumni, Zed is a credit-led neobank regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Its first offering is a Mastercard Titanium credit card that boasts no interest, no foreign transaction fees, no annual fees and is backed by a groundbreaking app – all of which makes it the ideal credit card for everyday spending, travel, utilities, and everything in between.

“As a technology company from day one, we don’t have to pay for costly overhead like physical branches or bloated headcounts for manual, back office processes. We’re able to pass these savings on to customers in the form of no revolving interest, no fees, and excellent customer service. We started Zed on the premise that you could build financial services where a customer’s success was a core value,” said Steve Abraham, Zed co-founder. 

“Our proprietary technology platform allows us to remove the pain in traditional banking, deliver powerful first-to-market features, and provide a fair and transparent cost structure where both Zed and the customer could win,” he added.

This sentiment and Zed's mission resonated with many Filipinos. The waitlist received almost 25,000 sign-ups within the first three weeks.

“Our business model is simple and purposely built to succeed only if our customers do. Our revenue comes from the interchange fee, a standard fee that gets charged to merchants by all banks for transactions that flow over the Mastercard network,” Steve explained.

Beyond no interest and no fees, the Zed card is backed by a robust and secure app that ensures that customers always have full and instant control of their expenses by giving them a real-time view of their transactions, the ability to set spending limits and access to fraud controls like the ability to lock/freeze a compromised card in the app.

Zed also puts a premium on user privacy and security by offering unlimited virtual cards: Users can generate unique credit card numbers to use with merchants so they never have to worry about their primary card details being exposed. Zed also provides zero liability for all unauthorized transactions and protects customers from paying for charges made without their permission.

In addition to these features, customers enjoy an effortless payment experience facilitated through the app, where they can generate an InstaPay QR code to instantly settle their monthly bill from any bank app or e-wallet, ensuring stress-free on-time payments. 

The streamlined application process also allows customers to complete the entire card application within minutes through the app, eliminating the need for cumbersome documentation or in-person visits to bank branches. 

Zed determines smart credit limits based on current and future income, rather than outdated credit scores, traditional career profiling, or existing card limits. This approach caters to young professionals with high incomes but limited credit histories.

“At Zed, we’re reimagining what a credit card could be – smarter underwriting, groundbreaking features, no fees, and a revenue model that doesn’t rely on a customer’s failure to pay down their balance,” said Danielle.

Learn more about Zed and hop on the waitlist by visiting zed.co.

Zed is a powerful credit card built for young professionals in Southeast Asia, starting with the Philippines. With no interest, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fees, Zed is challenging the status quo and delivering a smart, frictionless, and transparent experience powered by groundbreaking technology. Stanford engineers and Y Combinator Alumni Danielle Cojuangco Abraham and Steve Abraham cofounded the company backed by Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures.

Headquartered in San Francisco and Manila, Zed is a credit-led neobank regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and a Principal Member of Mastercard.  

In celebration of National Women’s Month, the country’s leading consumer finance 

company advocates to bridge the gender gap and provide equal access to opportunities in PH

Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, remains committed in championing workplace equality and bridging the gender gap for access to financial services in the country.

Since HCPH opened its business in the country in 2013, the company has taken great strides to promote inclusion; both through equal opportunity employment and women’s economic empowerment. The company now proudly boasts a workforce of over 15,000 employees nationwide with a 51:49 female-to-male ratio.

HCPH has successfully achieved this gender balance by actively providing opportunities for women and ensuring that there is equal representation in the C-suite or people management level, with five out of 12 of its executives being female.

According to HCPH’s Chief People Officer, Alpha Omega Aquino, this commitment is driven by the organization’s dedication to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the framework of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) pillars.

“At Home Credit, we believe that there are no small roles and that everyone is important. Empowering women and promoting gender equality allow us to break down barriers to unlock the full potential of individuals and cultivate a workplace where employees feel valued and fully supported; thus, enabling our employees to experience a sense of belonging.

This approach not only fosters an inclusive work environment but also serves as our competitive edge to attract and retain top talent from the modern workforce,” Aquino noted.

Breaking barriers to serve customers better

The company’s unwavering commitment to DE&I is also a pivotal factor in ensuring effective customer service. As HCPH undergoes continues expansion in the country and its customer base evolves, the diversity within its workforce plays a crucial role in understanding and meeting the varied needs of the company’s consumers. This paves the way for the refinement of HCPH’s services and offers, tailoring them more effectively to empower its diverse clientele, especially women.

For instance, in the past year, HCPH initiated the Home Credit is the Key: Back-to-School Campaign from Jul 1 to Sep 30, 2023. The drive aimed to assist mothers in preparing for their children's upcoming school year and ensuring productivity and their best possible education. Through this initiative, the company offered flexible payment plans with zero interest on gadgets essential for students' studies and provided cash loan offers to aid cashflow and boost household budgets, helping alleviate the financial stress during that time of the year.

Efforts like these have expanded Home Credit's customer base to include more women, reaching more than 560,000 new, female customers in 2023. Meanwhile, it has served 5.5 million women customers—52% of its total customer base—broadening women's access to credit opportunities and formal financial services since its establishment in 2013.

Strengthening efforts to foster a more inclusive workplace

As part of its ongoing commitment to DE&I, HCPH continues to strengthen its internal initiatives this National Women’s Month to cultivate further a work environment built on trust, integrity and respect.

To kick off its 2024 and beyond DE&I agenda, the company collaborated with organizations like the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, Investing in Women, and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. These partnerships facilitated workshops focused on the company’s GEARS (Gender Equality Assessment, Results and Strategies) assessment to create a strong foundation for the organization’s DE&I roadmap.

“We continue to strengthen our DE&I initiatives by focusing on crucial aspects such as recruitment, selection and promotion; conducting comprehensive workplace gender equality training; reinforcing leadership and accountability measures and addressing accessibility and reasonable accommodations.

Aside from that, we are also expanding our employee resource groups to champion women and people with disabilities, ensuring that every voice is heard. Our goal is to continue creating a workplace free from barriers, where everyone can thrive,” remarked Aquino.

As a testament to HCPH’s commitment to DE&I, the company has received recognition from reputable award-giving bodies. In 2022, it earned a Gold Stevie® for the Innovative Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion category at the tenth Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, highlighting the company’s success in streamlining recruitment processes to reach a more diverse pool of talent.

It was also honored with the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award in the recently concluded The Living Laurels 2024 by the Malaya Business Insight, recognizing its efforts in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the consumer finance industry.

Manila, Philippines, March 12, 2024 – Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines has officially announced its thanksgiving party for the great success of its viral smartphone HONOR X9b 5G. They dropped a smashing line-up with Parokya Ni Edgar as the headliner. “HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert” will be held at McKinley Whisky Park in BGC, Taguig City on March 16!

“We owe the success of the HONOR X9b 5G to our HONOR fans, that’s why we are giving thanks with this HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert that headlines Parokya Ni Edgar with a handful of talented artists. This is open to the public so make sure to not miss this,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

The “HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert” is set to gather Alex Calleja and The Comedy Crew, online sensation Kween Yasmin, as well as the talented Jarlo Base and Over October. Exciting games, prizes, and surprises await the ticketholders.

Two hundred tickets are expected to be given away and you can win by just simply joining the official HONOR Philippines Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/honorcommunityph/ and fill out the form pinned in the page! The tickets will be on a first-come-first-served basis, so hurry!

HONOR Philippines also dropped even more irresistible offers as they are giving away 10 HONOR X9b 5G phones, six HONOR Watch 4, many more game and raffle prizes!

SAFE FROM TOXIC LEAD: Stakeholders from different sectors celebrate the Lead Safe Paint® (LSP®) certification awarded by SCS Global Services to Triton and other paints produced by Roosevelt Chemical Inc. —Triton Paints Philippines, which confirms product compliance to the country's Chemical Control Order banning lead in the manufacture of paints and similar surface coatings. 

"Following a thorough verification process, SCS is pleased to announce that Triton, Rosco, Primecoat, Acri-Lux, and Lotus paint brands have successfully met the strictest 90 ppm regulatory standard for lead content in paint. We congratulate Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines for joining a growing league of lead-safe paint makers in the country, said Rob Emelander, Program Manager, SCS Global Services, the LSP® certification body and a US-based global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification. "With the invaluable help and support of the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and EcoWaste Coalition, we aim to help the Philippine paint industry move towards a lead-safe future." 

Roosevelt Chemical Inc.— Triton Paints Philippines is now authorized to use the distinctive LSP® certification mark on their paint containers and promotional materials. This will provide consumers with a visual guide assuring them that such paints pose no lead-based paint hazard for their families, especially the children who are most susceptible to the adverse effects of lead exposure. 

Watch the Media Conference

"As a responsible corporate citizen, our company Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines recognizes the critical importance of lead safety. We firmly believe that safeguarding public health and protecting the environment go hand in hand with our business goals. Our company's commitment to lead safety extends beyond business — it's a moral obligation. Therefore, our company takes pride in ensuring that our paints meet the highest safety standards. Each of our products undergoes rigorous testing and evaluation," said Ferdinand L. Sy, Executive Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines. "And now, we are proud to have our product lines carry the LSP® certification logo. In partnership with DENR-EMB, EcoWaste Coalition, IPEN, PPCAI, and SCS Global Services, we will continue to contribute to a healthier and safer world for generations to come. Choose our certified products and join us in championing lead safety." 

"Even in countries with regulations in place, lead-containing paints remain widely produced and sold. The success of Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines in eliminating lead in their decorative and industrial product lines is commendable. Them taking steps to get their paints certified as LSP® is worth emulating and something we encourage other paint companies to follow as this will help their customers in making informed choices when buying paints," said Jeiel Guarino, Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaigner, IPEN, which established the LSP® program in 2015. 

The LSP® certification obtained by Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines drew approval and commendation from government, industry and civil society stakeholders, which have been working together to promote and uphold the ban on lead in paint manufacturing under the Chemical Control Order (CCO) promulgated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2013. 

"We are very proud that another Filipino company, Roosevelt Chemical, Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines, passed the LSP® certification requirements with flying colors. Congratulations to the women and men who made this feat possible! This is a clear proof of the paint industry's support to the CCO banning lead additives in the manufacture of paints and similar surface coatings. We urge other paint makers not to be left behind and get certified as well," said Assistant Secretary Gilbert Gonzales, Director, DENR —Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB). 

"Congratulations to Roosevelt Chemical Inc. - Triton Paints Philippines on the monumental achievement of securing the LSP certification for your product lines' This certification Is not only a testament to your unwavering commitment to public health and safety but also sets a new industry standard for responsible manufacturing. Your dedication to producing safer, environmentally friendly paints is truly commendable and sets a benchmark for others to follow," said Reginald Yu, President, Philippine Paint and Coatings Association, Inc. (PPCAI). 

For the EcoWaste Coalition, a partner of IPEN and the PPCAI (formerly PAPM) in developing the LSP standard, the success of Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines represents another high point in the country's unrelenting efforts to eliminate lead-added paints. 

"The BP certificates awarded to Triton and its sister paints symbolize an important stride for the company's removal of lead ingredients in paint production in compliance with the CCO. This signifies another high point in the paint industry's goal to produce quality products with 'no heavy metals,' low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)' and which are 'eco-friendly'," said Manny Calonzo, Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition. "We look forward to reaching out and assisting more local companies acquire BP• certification as this will be good for public health and the environment, and for business, too." 

To know more about their product, please watch this: 

Congratulations Roosevelt Chemical, Inc.-Triton Philippines for achieving another important milestone for your company! Hope that you'll serve as a model and that may you influence other chemical companies too in this very unselfish and humbling mission. 

To view the LSP certificates for the verified paints from Roosevelt Chemical Inc. — Triton Paints Philippines, please go to: 

Manila, Philippines] — The summer season is off to a great start as Jollibee launches their new Pinoy Summer Specials—the returning favorite Ube Cheese Pie and the new Buko Pandan Sundae! 

These are some of the well-loved Filipino dessert flavors with added extra sarap twists for an extra saya summer.

The Ube Cheese Pie is making a comeback with Jollibee's signature crispy crust filled with oozing ube halaya and creamy cheese filling. It's a returning favorite that’s guaranteed to bring saya with every bite.

The Buko Pandan Sundae, Jollibee’s modern and levelled-up take on the classic Filipino dessert, is their signature creamy vanilla soft-serve generously topped with chewy buko pandan jelly, buko strips, and a drizzle of pandan syrup. 

Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a network of more than 1,500 stores in 17 countries. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee enjoys the lion’s share of the local market that is more than all the other multinational fast food brands in PH combined. With a strict adherence to the highest standards of food quality, service and cleanliness, Jollibee serves great-tasting, high-quality and affordable food products to include its superior-tasting Chickenjoy, mouth-watering Yumburger, and deliciously satisfying Jolly Spaghetti among other delicious products.

Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, with more than 270 international branches in the United States, Canada, China (Hong Kong and Macau), Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, Spain, and in the United Kingdom.

Leading global tech provider HONOR to complete 2024 X Series 

with the release of HONOR X7b on March 9!

The realme 12 Series 5G is available on realme’s major e-commerce platforms namely Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop from March 7-15 wherein the Squad can get huge discounts of up to P4,000 for the realme 12 Pro+ 5G and up to P3,000 off for the realme 12+ 5G.

For Shopee users, the realme 12+ 5G (12GB+256GB) will be exclusively available on the platform for a much lower price of up to P3,400 off during Shopee’s Super Brand Day sale happening only on March 8.

Additionally, realme Care+ will be included for the first 1,000 customers to purchase the realme 12 Pro+ 5G (12GB+512GB) and another 2,000 customers for both storage variants of the realme 12+ 5G - for a total of 3,000 customers, across all the e-commerce platforms mentioned above, who are entitled to a special aftercare service for their device.

The first inclusion is a one-time Free Replacement for Damaged Display redeemable within 6 months after the purchase. The screen replacement covers accidental drops, collision, and extrusion. A 6-Month Extended Repair Warranty is also activated after the default warranty period expires. It covers non-human damage that naturally comes with using mobile phones and does not include repairs from falling, squeezing, and liquid penetration.  

As realme’s Official Installment Partner, Home Credit is offering up to 18-month installment programs with 0% interest. Meanwhile, credit card users can opt for up to 18 months of installed payment plan with 0% interest as well. 

On the other hand, offline buyers can also catch amazing perks and freebies when purchasing from realme Stores and authorized dealers nationwide. From March 8-17, the Squad can take home a TechLife 4.5L See-Through Air Fryer worth P2,799.00 when they buy the realme 12 Pro+ 5G while the realme 12+ 5G comes with either a TechLife High-Speed Hair Dryer or TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker worth P2,399.00. These freebies are available only until stocks last.

Keep posted on the realme 12 Series 5G by visiting the realme official Facebook page or website.

● Igloo and Lazada have collaborated to provide customers in the Philippines with comprehensive protection for their purchases

● For the first time, Lazada PH customers can now avail protection plans for select products upon checkout

● Beauty and personal care products (47% of all online purchases) alongside consumer electronics (35%) are among the top online retail categories in the Philippines

● A fourth product, accidental and liquid damage protection for non-electronics, will be available in December

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 4 March 2024– Regional insurtech Igloo has partnered with leading e-commerce platform Lazada to offer Filipino shoppers protection plans for their online purchases. This is part of Igloo’s continued mission to improve the online shopping experience through purchase protection products.

“E-commerce is a fast-growing industry in the Philippines and it’s safe to say that more and more Filipinos have embraced online shopping as a fast and convenient way to access a diverse range of products and services. There are currently 38.9 million e-commerce shoppers in the Philippines, a number that is expected to reach 55.8 million by 2025. Of these, approximately 25% of Filipinos who shop online do so at least once a month,” said Roberto Vea, Commercial Lead at Igloo Philippines. "As the number of Filipinos engaging in online purchases continues to rise, it becomes increasingly imperative to provide them with protection throughout their entire shopping journey, extending support even after they've received their products."

In collaboration with Igloo, Lazada has introduced three comprehensive online shopping protection products tailored for its electronics and beauty products. These protection plans are seamlessly integrated into the checkout process. Before finalizing their payment, customers will be presented with a tailored insurance plan specific to the item they are purchasing. This includes a transparent display of the associated premium, ensuring a clear understanding of the additional cost that will be integrated into their total transaction.

The Electronic Protection and Gadget Protection products ensures extensive protection for all kinds of electronic products and gadgets. from accidental and liquid damage, as well as loss due to theft or robbery, along with the added benefit of professional repair and service at authorized centers. Both products are underwritten by Etiqa Insurance. Specifically for non-electronic products, Igloo and Etiqa present Merchandise Protection which protects orders from accidental damage and theft.

Additionally, Product Liability Protection addresses adverse reactions to beauty products (cosmetics, lotions, bath essentials) purchased on Lazada. Underwritten by Liberty Insurance, coverage encompasses protection against chemical burns and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) resulting from product use. Consumers availing of this product gain access to teleconsultations, medical reimbursements, and emergency hospitalization.

“At Igloo, our core mission revolves around facilitating easy, affordable, and convenient access to insurance products for consumers. We believe that insurance should be straightforward and accessible to everyone. In line with this commitment, our collaboration with Lazada has been carefully designed to ensure a seamless and hassle-free experience for individuals seeking protection for their online purchases,” Vea added.

Igloo’s partnership with Lazada is part of its goal to increase insurance penetration by offering microinsurance products designed to cater to the increasingly digital lifestyle of consumers in the Philippines and across the region. 

Igloo is a regional full-stack insurtech firm headquartered in Singapore. It has offices in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia and tech centers in China and India.  With a mission of making insurance accessible for all, the firm leverages big data, real-time risk assessment, and end-to-end automated claims management to create B2B2C insurance solutions for platform companies and insurance companies. Igloo’s insurance solutions enable companies to eliminate their exposure to operational risk, create new revenue streams, and optimize and enhance existing products and services. It has partnered with over 75 well-known brand names across the markets in various verticals, including insurance, telecommunications, e-commerce, hospitality, health tech, and financial services. Recognized by the industry for its innovations and expertise in its space, Igloo was named ‘Insurtech of the Year’ in the 2023 Asia Fintech Awards.

For Media Inquiries

PRecious Communications for Igloo,

igloo@preciouscomms.com 

The Maya Card, powered by the #1 Digital Bank App Maya, is the Philippine's fastest-growing prepaid card due to its unmatched ease of use, convenience, safety, and worldwide acceptance. 

 

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, presented Maya with an award for being the top prepaid card issuer in the country, marking its third consecutive accolade from 2021 to 2023. 

This distinction is a testament to Maya's sustained year-on-year growth and its highest prepaid payment volumes.

 

"We've made it incredibly simple for millions of Filipinos to get a card. This ease of access particularly resonates with the youth, who not only use it for everyday purchases but also as a reliable companion for global travel. It's exciting to see the Maya Card become the fastest-growing card in the Philippines," said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President of Maya and Co-Founder of Maya Bank.  

 

The Ultimate in Convenience and Flexibility 

Getting a Maya Card is very easy, reflecting Maya's commitment to user convenience. Customers with an upgraded account can obtain a virtual and physical card through the app without the need for additional documents and link it seamlessly to their wallets. Users simply need to navigate to the “Cards” section within the Maya app to place their order. 

 

The virtual card instantly opens a world of online shopping and the physical card doubles as an ATM card, enabling effortless payments for daily needs. Its broad compatibility across both online shops and brick-and-mortar stores demonstrates its unmatched versatility. 

 

Designed with a minimalist and secure aesthetic, the Maya Card features the user's unique @username instead of the full name and card number, adding a personal touch without compromising security. 

 

Once activated and linked to the user's wallet, the Maya Card is accepted worldwide, offering a seamless payment solution both in the Philippines and abroad. This global acceptance proves invaluable especially for freelancers and travelers, facilitating easy access to funds. 

 

The Maya Card unlocks global shopping at over 80 million merchants and ATM access, with instant international activation – no call to customer support is needed. Wherever they are in the world. users are kept informed and in charge with real-time transaction alerts directly through the Maya app.  

 

The Maya Card’s unique strength also lies in its rewarding digital banking services. Using it for everyday payments allows customers to earn up to 14% interest rate per annum, credited daily to their savings accounts.  

 

Moreover, frequent card usage also strengthens the user's financial footprint, leading to better opportunities for instant borrowing and higher credit limits within the app.   

   

Innovating further, Maya provides personalized card options offering co-branded editions, such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and Mobile Legends, alongside the all-in-one student ID of Ateneo De Manila University.  

   

Maya is the #1 Fintech Ecosystem in the Philippines, with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank, and Maya Business, the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor. More information about Maya is available at maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Keep posted on news and updates by following @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.