UnionBank

In a market where digital payment penetration has reached 51% and transaction volumes exceed USD 30 billion, UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP) has emerged as a pivotal force in financial innovation through its forward-thinking digital vision. As the digital trailblazer of the Philippine banking industry, UnionBank was not only the first to launch online banking services but has also leveraged technology to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital ecosystem.

While maintaining a robust physical footprint of over 200 branches and 7,000 service points in the Philippines, UnionBank has pivotally shifted its strategic focus toward digital innovation. As of 2024, the bank boasts a customer base of 17.3 million, with 51% identified as active digital users. Since 2019, the number of digital account openings has surged 10.3-fold, a testament to the market's burgeoning demand for seamless online payment experiences.

UnionBank Online, frequently ranked among the top banking apps on Google Play in terms of both downloads and user ratings, processed approximately 105 million transfer transactions in 2024, representing a 33% year-on-year growth. Beyond mere technical prowess, these figures reflect a deep-seated user trust. UnionBank's digital transformation has not only elevated the customer experience but has also been a primary driver of financial inclusion across the Philippines.

From a technology perspective, UnionBank has established a comprehensive AI-driven framework. Its AI systems process millions of transactions each day, delivering superior performance in real-time fraud detection, automated KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, and personalised recommendations. This evolution from standardised banking services to precision-targeted offerings ensures that every transaction is both secure and intelligently managed.

Of particular note is UnionBank's strategic foresight in building an open banking payment ecosystem. Through its fintech arm, UBX, and its strategic partnership with SBI Holdings, UnionBank is aggressively driving the deployment of innovative payment solutions, including blockchain and digital assets. Furthermore, its collaboration with leading e-wallets like GCash facilitated tens of billions of pesos in real-time cash-in transactions in 2024. This open and inclusive ecosystem has solidified UnionBank's position as the central hub within the Philippines' digital financial landscape.

As the only bank in the Philippines to have received the Visa Champion Security Award, UnionBank regards security and regulatory compliance as the cornerstone of its digital innovation strategy. By combining biometrics, real-time monitoring, and multi-layer encryption, the bank has engineered an industry-leading risk management framework. This commitment aligns seamlessly with its "Next-Generation Banking" philosophy—harmonising high-tech innovation with a high-touch human connection. As a result, payment is elevated from a purely functional step into a premium, integrated experience embedded across diverse lifestyle scenarios, from retail and travel to healthcare.

Guided by its mission of "Tech-Up Pilipinas", UnionBank is pushing the boundaries of digital banking innovation. In an e-commerce market expanding at a CAGR of over 19%, UnionBank serves as the critical gateway to the nation's digital-native consumer base. For merchants seeking to scale their footprint in the Philippines, UnionBank offers an indispensable payment infrastructure that is vital for long-term success.

Properties

The following table lists the product properties supported by UnionBank:

User experience

Note: The following payment flows on different terminals are for reference only. For supported merchants' terminal types, consult Antom Technical Support.

The following screenshots show the journey of paying with UnionBank through app.

1. The buyer selects UnionBank to pay.

2. The buyer is redirected to the bank page to log in.

3. The buyer confirms the payment.

4. The buyer is redirected to the merchant's result page.

FAQ

UnionBank's digital positioning is compelling. How does its user base differ from traditional institutions like BPI?

UnionBank has successfully captured a massive demographic of digital-native users. Digital customers now account for 51% of its total base, with digital account openings increasing 10.3-fold since 2019. Unlike traditional banking clients, these users are high-frequency consumers of e-commerce, digital content, and online services. They are early adopters of innovative digital tools and are particularly active in high-growth sectors such as cross-border e-commerce and online entertainment.

UnionBank invests heavily in technological innovation. What tangible benefits does this bring for a merchant's daily transactions?

The most immediate benefits are system stability and operational efficiency. UnionBank's AI-driven infrastructure processes millions of transactions daily, delivering real-time fraud detection while ensuring a frictionless checkout experience. This effectively minimises transaction abandonment caused by payment processing friction, directly protecting conversion rates.

As a cross-border merchant, what value does UnionBank's open banking ecosystem provide?

Through its fintech arm UBX, UnionBank has established a strategic partnership with SBI Holdings and achieved interoperability with leading e-wallets such as GCash. In 2024, this ecosystem processed tens of billions of pesos in real-time cash-in transactions. This ecosystem allows cross-border merchants to indirectly tap into a vast network of local payment users across the Philippines. Furthermore, its support for multi-currency settlement (including USD, SGD, and EUR) effectively meets the needs of cross-border businesses.

How does UnionBank's Visa Champion Security Award translate into practical protection for merchants

UnionBank is the only bank in the Philippines to have received the Visa Champion Security Award, reflecting recognition at the highest level by an international card network. This accolade acknowledges the bank's excellence in fraud mitigation, identity verification, and risk management. For merchants, this means each transaction is protected by an industry-leading security framework, significantly reducing exposure to fraud-related losses and operational disputes.

Integrate with UnionBank through Antom to capitalise on the surging growth of the Philippine digital-native market.