Finance

Maya Black Credit Card officially launches

Aims to democratize premium credit access in PH

Published

April 30, 2025

GadgetMatch

FinTech and digital bank company Maya is shaking things up once again with the introduction of the Maya Black Credit Card or simply Maya Black.

This premium, black-tier offering leverages Maya’s proprietary data and AI-driven credit models. It signals a shift in how credit is accessed in the Philippines.

Designed with the mobile-first consumer in mind, Maya Black aims to broaden access to credit for a wider range of Filipinos. In particular, the company has its sights set on those who may lack traditional credit histories.

The card is accessible directly through the Maya app. It promises a swift approval process and instant virtual card issuance. This is followed by the delivery of a sleek physical card — 3-5 days according to Maya, and comprehensive in-app management.

This approach challenges the conventional notion that black-tier credit cards are exclusively reserved for high-income earners with extensive credit records.

Process everything on the Maya app

Maya Black introduces a fundamentally different approach to credit assessment. By utilizing Maya’s extensive transactional data and various alternative data sources, the platform’s AI-powered credit scoring model can evaluate and approve applicants who might be overlooked by traditional banking institutions.

Furthermore, individuals without prior credit history can opt for a secured card pathway. This is seamlessly integrated within the app. It eliminates the need for cumbersome paperwork or reapplications.

The entire credit card lifecycle, from initial application and approval to card issuance and customer support, is entirely digital. Users can conveniently manage their spending, billing, and access support services directly within the Maya app.

Upon approval, users receive an instant virtual card, followed by the delivery of the Philippines’ first numberless physical card. All sensitive card details are securely stored within the app. This empowers users with the ability to freeze or replace their card in real-time for enhanced security.

“We engineered Maya Black specifically for a generation that demands instant, mobile-first banking solutions. This is not your typical credit card; it’s a completely re-engineered experience,” said Angelo Madrid, President of Maya Bank.

Premium benefits from the outset

Maya Black delivers a comprehensive suite of premium-grade benefits right from the start, including:

Maya Miles: Earn miles on every transaction, with real-time tracking within the app. These miles can be utilized as currency across Maya’s extensive merchant network, converted into airline miles such as Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles, and redeemed for other travel rewards—all within the app.
Welcome Bonus: Receive 3,000 bonus miles upon physical card activation and spending PhP 5,000 within the first 60 days.
Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy access to airport lounges via DragonPass, including PAGSS and Marhaba lounges at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Global Acceptance: The card is accepted at over 130 million merchants worldwide through the Visa network.
Enhanced Security: Benefit from advanced security features, with card numbers exclusively accessible via the app and real-time freeze/replace functionalities.

Addressing rising demand and limited access

Interest in credit cards is experiencing a significant surge in the Philippines. According to Google Philippines data, credit cards now account for 38% of financial product search interest.

However, access to credit cards remains limited. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey indicated that 56% of Filipino adults find it challenging to qualify for a credit card.

As of Q4 2023, TransUnion data revealed that only 15% of Filipino adults hold a credit card. While the outstanding credit card base saw a substantial year-over-year growth of 20%, from 9.3 million to 11.2 million cards, penetration remains low in a country with over 70 million adults.

Maya Black directly tackles this accessibility gap by eliminating traditional barriers and scaling AI-powered credit across Maya’s rapidly expanding Millennial and Gen Z user base. This launch builds upon the success of the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, which has seen the issuance of nearly 200,000 cards to date.

Finance

GCash future-proofs MSMEs with new payment innovations

GCash EasyPOS, SoundPay Plus

Published

July 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

GCash is future-proofing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with new customer-first payment innovations. This, as the Philippines continues to become a digital payments nation.

The app expanded its suite of solutions to make digital payments more accessible, convenient, and secure for merchants.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, GCash has payment devices designed for different business sizes and ways of operating.

One is the GCash EasyPOS, an all-in-one terminal for medium and even large enterprises. This accepts QRPh, Visa, and Mastercard payments and also supports features like digital receipts, refunds, settlements, and transaction monitoring.

Meanwhile, GCash SoundPay Plus is designed for micro and small merchants, specially in the retail and F&B sectors. It combines QR payments, card acceptance, and instant voice confirmation so merchants can immediately check when a payment pushes through.

The rollout of these two solutions builds on earlier solutions GCash introduced, including PocketPay and SoundPay.

PocketPay is designed for MSMEs, bazaar or pop-up merchants, and mobile sellers who take their products and services wherever their customers are.

It turns an NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a contactless card terminal. This makes payments easy and affordable — without investing in additional hardware.

SoundPay, meanwhile, is a portable QR payment device that provides instant voice confirmation for every transaction.

According to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), 57.4% of retail payment transactions by volume were made digitally in 2024.

The central bank is targeting a digital payment share of 60% to 70% by 2028, with businesses increasingly expected to support cashless transactions.

Finance

GoTyme Bank grows to 10 million users in the Philippines

Over US$ 859.4 million in customer deposits

Published

July 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

GoTyme Bank has reached the 10 million-user milestone in the Philippines, one of its key markets.

A joint venture between the parent Tyme Group and the the local Gokongwei Group, the digital bank has officially grown to 10 million strong, its latest accomplishment after debuting in the country three years ago.

The milestone is backed by over PhP 53 billion (~859.4 million) in customer deposits and sustained engagement across the GoTyme Bank ecosystem.

A core driver of the bank’s rapid growth is its integration into users’ daily financial habits. GoTyme was the Most Used Visa Debit Card in the Philippines, based on Visa debit active usage data in 2025.

The bank has also offered free InstaPay transfers from the start (capped at 20 transactions a month) for greater flexibility. There are also more than 160 billers on the app.

Complementing the digital-first infrastructure is an extensive physical network. There are now more than 600 kiosks in major malls nationwide.

Customers can also conveniently deposit and withdraw cash through more than 2,500 Robinsons Retail store lanes. Cash deposit is also allowed through more than 4,500 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

Among GoTyme’s recent offerings is MoreTyme, a flexible, transparent, and easy-to-understand credit solution.

Through Visa, GoTyme also took part in FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns, with raffle winners being flown to watch the matches live.

Finance

UnionDigital Bank, Chubb partner for accessible insurance protection

Chubb insurance products now integrated into UD app

Published

June 17, 2026

GadgetMatch

UnionDigital Bank and Chubb Philippines have partnered to bring accessible insurance protection to Filipinos.

The strategic partnership integrates Chubb’s insurance solutions directly on the UD app. These comprehensive solutions will be seen among UD’s suite of financial products. That way, insurance protection becomes more accessible for consumers.

The two key insurance products in the initial rollout are Loan Protect Insurance and Kaya Protect Insurance.

The first product is automatically included for eligible UD loan borrowers at no additional cost for the first three months once the loan is approved.

In the event of accidental death, permanent disability, temporary disability, or death due to illness, Loan Protect Insurance pays up to the original loan amount to cover 100% of the customer’s outstanding loan balance.

Any remaining balance is released to beneficiaries. Loan Protect Insurance is currently available for loans up to PhP 30,000 with short-term repayment periods.

Meanwhile, Kaya Protect Insurance will be available soon. This provides personal accident and accidental death coverage up to PhP 150,000 and is activated automatically by maintaining a low minimum balance of PhP 100 in the insured’s savings account.

The partnership between UnionDigital Bank and Chubb aims to address the protection gap, as according to a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey, 48% of adult Filipinos are currently uninsured.