In 2023, UnionDigital Bank witnessed a remarkable surge in its balance sheet, observing an increase in both deposits and loans, more than doubling its previous performance. As of December 2023, the bank had attained a substantial 65% market share in loan portfolio size, while in deposit, it ranked second among digital banks with a commendable 25% share. Within the period, the bank's loan-to-deposit ratio surged from 58% at the end of 2022 to a noteworthy 69%, surpassing that of its digital banking counterparts in the country. 

This period marked a significant milestone as UnionDigital Bank achieved profitability in 2023, showcasing extraordinary growth with revenue soaring by 13 times, totaling over PHP 5 billion. The bank’s latest accolade as the ‘Best Digital Bank in The Philippines’ is a testament to its exceptional growth trajectory and enhanced profitability. 

"Being acknowledged as the 'Best Digital Bank in The Philippines’ confirms UnionDigital Bank's dedication to pioneering innovation and delivering exceptional value to our customers. This honor mirrors the hard work and dedication of our team in setting new benchmarks for digital banking and continuously striving to lead the industry into the future," said Henry Aguda, CEO of UnionDigital Bank. 

UnionDigital Bank, since its inception as the digital bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, has been a trailblazer in the digital banking landscape, constantly pushing boundaries and redefining industry benchmarks. Through strategic collaborations with key partners such as digital healthcare platform mWell, ride-hailing Angkas, and Malaysian airline firm Capital A, UnionDigital Bank has reinforced its commitment to innovation and customer-centric services. 

"As we continue to solidify our position as a rapidly profitable digital bank in the Philippines, the recognition by The Asian Banker underscores our ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry. This distinction serves as an encouragement for us to further our efforts in promoting financial inclusion, enhancing our financial services, and cementing our role as a key contributor to the digital banking sector," commented Aguda. 

Regardless if it's Php 299 or 2,999 or 29,999, communication is key to financial wellness.

Last month, Filipino social media exploded with discussions about the ₱299 engagement ring. People were split on whether it was about self-worth or long-term financial plans, and both sides had valid points. There's no right or wrong answer here; it all depends on what matters most to you or your partner. But what can we take away from this in terms of financial wellness as a love language? It's about being honest about one’s money habits.

Having open conversations with one’s partner about spending and saving money sets the groundwork to avoid misunderstandings and disappointment. Whether it's about a ring or any other gift, clear communication helps manage expectations and keeps the relationship on solid ground. 

Empowering financial security: Nurturing smarter money habits

Supporting smarter money habits for the future involves embracing financial wellness as a love language and encouraging one’s partner to engage in sound practices to build financial security. It encompasses a commitment to fostering better money management skills, such as prioritizing savings. While opening a traditional bank account can sometimes pose challenges due to stringent requirements, present financial solutions offer numerous digital banking alternatives like UnionDigital. The platform not only provides savings accounts but also offers convenient features such as seamless cashless transactions, including unique selling points like QR code peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers, with person-to-merchant (P2M) coming soon, and FREE instant fund transfers via InstaPay, ensuring a smoother and more efficient financial experience. Its UBEH Save is a high-interest savings account that offers a competitive interest rate of up to 4% p.a., enabling customers to grow their funds more effectively. 

Building on social ties

Nurturing love in relationships needs time, effort, and emotional investment. The principle of the emerging practice of loud budgeting prioritizes meaningful experiences over extravagant gifts. In a similar sense, building a solid financial foundation goes beyond mere saving and involves strategic planning and understanding one’s finances—an invaluable investment for long-term results. Just as personal ties require cultivation and attention, financial well-being thrives on careful nurturing and informed decision-making.

Endearing ties and reaping its rewards

Investing in love and finances brings fulfilling rewards: shared accomplishments, emotional connection, and financial stability. Celebrating relationships and financial milestones reinforces the value of invested efforts as these moments serve as markers of progress and dedication. UnionDigital Time Deposit is one product that highlights the significance of mindful investment. For as low as 1,000 pesos, users can already enroll in an account. With one of the lowest minimum time deposit rate requirements, UnionDigital’s Time Deposit removes barriers to investment opportunities, facilitating a solid foundation for ongoing financial growth. 

Harnessing self-love as an investment

Investing in self-love produces lasting outcomes, enabling one to fulfill and meet his or her own needs. Consider practicing self-love by indulging in activities that bring joy, relaxation, and inner peace. The value of self-care doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag, and can be found in simple, everyday practices that prioritize mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

As the period ushers in the love month, it’s time to redefine the approach to love. By understanding that love is not synonymous with extravagant spending, but about taking meaningful steps in nurturing relationships, one can create a more sustainable and fulfilling foundation for both love and life. Just like love, financial management requires careful attention, investment, and decision-making. UBEH Save and UD Time Deposit are products by UnionDigital tailored to offer convenient solutions for saving and investing, all designed to help achieve financial well-being with ease and confidence. By embracing sound practices, one can create a life that is a harmonious blend of emotional fulfillment and financial stability. 

UnionDigital Bank is the digital bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines. It is one of the six digital banks in the country regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). At present, UnionDigital offers a wide array of financial services, featuring competitive offerings such as the P1,000 Time Deposit, high-yield savings account, QRPH payments and transfers, among others. In a significant move to enhance financial inclusion, UnionDigital is poised to introduce a cash loan product, distinguished by its entirely digital application process and quick crediting of funds within minutes. 

This capital boost will enable UD to expand its digital loan offerings via its app and APIs, providing customers with faster access to credit and a seamless loan application process. The capital infusion is still subject to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulatory approval. 

“This approved funding indicates UnionBank’s confidence in our strategic growth plan and strong financial performance. We will use this to fuel our growth trajectory and allow us to better serve the financial needs of our customers,” said Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank. “Nearly 70% of our customer base comprise of individuals with limited means at the base of the income pyramid - these are the people we want to help and include in the financial system.”

UD also recorded net profits in the first quarter of 2023, driven by its ecosystem-led business model. Moreover, the digital bank’s push towards embedded finance enables new avenues for customers to engage with banking services. 

UD kickstarted this with their recent partnerships with mWell, implementing embedded financial services for its 1.5 million customers and 5,000 doctors and health professionals, as well as HUAWEI, tapping into their 7 million customer base and ecosystem of services.

“We have built a strong pipeline of partnerships and are actively scaling up our digital channels to help us diversify our deposit base and loan book,” said Mike Singh, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, UnionDigital Bank. “The approved capital will not only improve our financial strength but also unlock a lot of opportunities, especially in driving our mission to improve access to credit for every Filipino, regardless of their location. As we accelerate our digital loan offerings, we will empower more Filipinos to achieve their financial aspirations, wherever they may be.” 

UnionDigital Bank is on a mission to bring financial inclusion, uplifting one community at a time. With this in mind, the digital bank is committed to break down barriers that prevent individuals from accessing financial services, empowering Filipinos everywhere to build a secure future.

UnionDigital Bank, the digital bank subsidiary of UnionBank, has recently partnered with HUAWEI, a global technology leader, to bring innovative financial services to more people in the Philippines by tapping into the tech company’s ecosystem of services and 7 million customer base.

Through the strategic collaboration, the UnionDigital Bank app is now available on the HUAWEI AppGallery to allow easy access for users to the digital bank’s financial services and products. As the number one digital lender in the country, UnionDigital Bank will offer loan products to mobile users through Petal Ads, the mobile marketing platform tailored for HUAWEI devices.

"Our partnership with HUAWEI reflects our shared belief in harnessing the power of technology to enhance financial inclusion and provide convenient banking solutions to all," said Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank. "Together, we are committed to shaping a better future by leveraging our combined expertise and resources to create innovative and accessible banking services."

"We are proud to work with a tech-first and tech-forward company like UnionDigital Bank, who shares our vision for leveraging technology to create positive change and make a difference in people's lives," said Ken Liang, Director of Mobile Ecosystem Business Growth, HUAWEI Technologies Philippines. "Our alliance reflects our commitment to driving innovation and using it for the greater good. We are excited to collaborate with UnionBank’s digital bank subsidiary to contribute and help in making their commitment a reality, starting with our users."

The tie-up between UnionDigital Bank and HUAWEI marks an important step towards promoting financial inclusion and leveraging technology to make innovative banking solutions closer to a greater number of Filipinos, regardless of their location or economic status. Together, they aim to empower more people to access essential financial services designed to contribute in supporting the country’s growing digital economy.