UnionBank wins ‘domestic retail bank’, other accolades at Asian Banking and Finance Awards

August 4, 2023 - 10:46 AM
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This 2017 photo shows facade of a branch of Unionbank. (Unionbank/Facebook)

A private bank bagged major awards at an event that recognizes stellar services in the banking and finance industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

UnionBank of the Philippines is the recipient of five awards at the prestigious Asian Banking and Finance Awards 2023.

The event was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore on July 25.

In an announcement, the bank was recognized for its innovations for MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) in business banking and digital baking services.

The awards won are:

  • Domestic Retail Bank of the Year
  • Branch Innovation of the Year (Bronze) for The Portal’s Branch Visit
  • Digital Transformation of the Year (Philippines) for ePaycard Digital Account Opening
  • Digital Business Banking Initiative of the Year (Philippines) for MSME Banking
  • Mobile Banking & Payment Initiative of the Year (Philippines) for UPAY for MSMEs

UnionBank executives who personally received the awards are SME & Micropreneurs Segment Marketing Head Jose Paulo Soliman, Vice President Senior Product Manager Abby Jayne Go and Corporate Media Reputation Management Group Head James Ileto.

In a statement about their recent recognitions, Retail Banking Center Head Joyce Gonzalez talked about how digital transformation has been at the forefront of UnionBank’s operations.

“At UnionBank, we proudly banner our own digital transformation journey on our road to becoming a Great Retail Bank. We share it with our clients and the Filipino people just as we share these recognitions/awards with the hard-working UnionBankers behind them,” Gonzales said.

“Our journey of embracing technological innovations has always been in the quest to better the lives of our clients and countrymen,” she added.

A feature from a banking magazine “International Banker” stated that UnionBank was one of the few financial institutions that quickly adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns through its digital transformation strategy.

The Asian Banking and Finance Awards, meanwhile, is considered a prestigious annual event that recognizes and honors finance and bank leaders who have shown exceptional products and solutions for their customers and clients.

Industry experts and leaders conducted the evaluation process. These include representatives from Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG Singapore, and Bain & Co.