Digital lending has been the most active Southeast Asian fintech subsector in 2023, seeing growth in 2024 and projected to grow another 33% in 2025 <a href="https://www.researchinindonesia.com/insight/digital-lending-in-sea-overview">[1]</a>.XenCapital has demonstrated its merchants in the lending space, having disbursed over USD$700 million in loans to businesses across Southeast Asia since its inception in 2021. Its success underscores its robust risk management strategies and deep understanding of the merchants’ needs in the region.

"We have arrived at a significant milestone for our business," said David Z Wang, Co-founder of Helicap. "Our partnership with XenCapital aligns with Helicap's mission to ease access to capital to underbanked businesses in Southeast Asia, and we are honoured to work together to achieve this long-term vision. Helicap remains committed to driving financial inclusion in the region, and we are impressed by Xendit's extensive payment ecosystem it has built in the region and its lending know-how."

"We're excited to partner with Helicap to further drive financial inclusion across Southeast Asia.

This collaboration enables us to expand our reach and provide much-needed capital to our merchants in the Philippines and beyond," said Moses Lo, Co-founder and CEO of Xendit.

Helicap as a group together with its regulated subsidiaries, have facilitated over USD$370 million in transactions since 2018. Leveraging advanced credit analytics to evaluate millions of loan data points, Helicap ensures informed and responsible decision making.

This collaboration between Helicap and XenCapital represents a synergistic alliance dedicated to empowering businesses and driving economic growth in Southeast Asia.

1<a href="http://www.researchinindonesia.com/insight/digital-lending-in-sea-overview">https://www.researchinindonesia.com/insight/digital-lending-in-sea-overview</a>

Helicap, a leading fintech platform provider specialising in emerging markets, is proud to announce the successful facilitation of a credit facility with XenCapital, the lending arm of Xendit, a fintech unicorn with operations across Southeast Asia and which has raised US$515million in venture capital funding.
 Digital lending has been the most active Southeast Asian fintech subsector in 2023, seeing growth in 2024 and projected to grow another 33% in 2025 <a href="https://www.researchinindonesia.com/insight/digital-lending-in-sea-overview">[1]</a>.XenCapital has demonstrated its merchants in the lending space, having disbursed over USD$700 million in loans to businesses across Southeast Asia since its inception in 2021. Its success underscores its robust risk management strategies and deep understanding of the merchants’ needs in the region."We have arrived at a significant milestone for our business," said David Z Wang, Co-founder of Helicap. "Our partnership with XenCapital aligns with Helicap's mission to ease access to capital to underbanked businesses in Southeast Asia, and we are honoured to work together to achieve this long-term vision. Helicap remains committed to driving financial inclusion in the region, and we are impressed by Xendit's extensive payment ecosystem it has built in the region and its lending know-how.""We're excited to partner with Helicap to further drive financial inclusion across Southeast Asia.This collaboration enables us to expand our reach and provide much-needed capital to our merchants in the Philippines and beyond," said Moses Lo, Co-founder and CEO of Xendit.Helicap as a group together with its regulated subsidiaries, have facilitated over USD$370 million in transactions since 2018. Leveraging advanced credit analytics to evaluate millions of loan data points, Helicap ensures informed and responsible decision making.This collaboration between Helicap and XenCapital represents a synergistic alliance dedicated to empowering businesses and driving economic growth in Southeast Asia.1<a href="http://www.researchinindonesia.com/insight/digital-lending-in-sea-overview">https://www.researchinindonesia.com/insight/digital-lending-in-sea-overview</a>

Securities / FX / Investment Trusts

Helicap, a leading fintech platform provider specialising in emerging markets, is proud to announce the successful facilitation of a credit facility with XenCapital, the lending arm of Xendit, a fintech unicorn with operations across Southeast Asia and which has raised US$515million in venture capital funding.


Helicap Closes Largest Credit Facility Yet with Xendit’s XenCapital: USD$50 Million to Empower Southeast Asian Businesses

Singapore – July 25, 2024 – Invesko has announced that it has welcomed more than 12,000 new investors aged 18-29 to its platform since launching in May 2024.

Invesko is on a mission to make investing easy, accessible, and rewarding for a new generation of investors. With Invesko, young people can invest with no account minimums, buy and sell stocks for as little as $1, and get rewarded in cash and stocks as they invest in their future.

With a simple design and intuitive interface, Invesko makes investing familiar and welcoming. Unlike complex platforms, Invesko offers an easy and rewarding onboarding process. Signing up takes less than 5 minutes, with free stock awaiting you when you complete verification. You can buy your first stock with just three taps for as little as $1. This simplicity aims to make Invesko the go-to mobile investing experience.

With 81% of young adults preferring to manage their finances via mobile apps, Invesko is designed as a mobile-first platform to meet this demand. It offers no account minimums and zero commissions during the promotional period, ensuring accessibility. Afterward, Invesko will continue to keep fees low for funding, trading, and subscriptions.

With over two-thirds of young investors feeling overwhelmed by investment information and around half citing insufficient funds as a barrier, starting to invest can be intimidating. Invesko addresses these concerns by offering Rewards, which provide cash bonuses or free stocks as users invest. By recognizing and rewarding their commitment, Invesko helps turn hesitation into action, making early investment more accessible and appealing.

Grow Your Investments with Invesko

Invesko currently offers access to US stocks and ETFs by working with a partner broker-dealer to offer exceptional brokerage features with ultimate flexibility and the security of SIPC insurance — all delivered through the Invesko app that makes building your wealth easy.&nbsp;

The company is also expanding to include local stocks, as part of its strategy to become a comprehensive financial-services provider.

“Our vision is for Invesko to be the most trusted, lowest-cost, and culturally relevant investment app for Gen Z in Southeast Asia—the most tech-savvy and largest user base,” Invesko founder Miko Bantigue says. “Looking ahead, we aim to offer a seamless experience where users can grow and manage all aspects of their wealth in one place. We’re building a platform where they can easily transition between US stocks, local stocks, automated investment products, and a high-yield USD cash account. It will truly be ‘all my investments.’”

The app is available to customers in over 150 countries on the Apple App Store and Google Play at <a href="http://getinvesko.com">getinvesko.com</a>.

Invesko is not a securities broker and does not provide any broker-dealer services. We work with licensed partner broker-dealers to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Nothing in this press release should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities or other financial products in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, purchase, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Neither Invesko nor its partner broker-dealers hold the necessary licenses or registrations in such jurisdictions. Prospective investors should seek the advice of their own financial and legal advisors before making any investment decision.

Invesko has announced that it has welcomed more than 12,000 new investors aged 18-29 to its platform since launching in May 2024 Singapore – July 25, 2024 – Invesko has announced that it has welcomed more than 12,000 new investors aged 18-29 to its platform since launching in May 2024.Invesko is on a mission to make investing easy, accessible, and rewarding for a new generation of investors. With Invesko, young people can invest with no account minimums, buy and sell stocks for as little as $1, and get rewarded in cash and stocks as they invest in their future.Investing Made EasyWith a simple design and intuitive interface, Invesko makes investing familiar and welcoming. Unlike complex platforms, Invesko offers an easy and rewarding onboarding process. Signing up takes less than 5 minutes, with free stock awaiting you when you complete verification. You can buy your first stock with just three taps for as little as $1. This simplicity aims to make Invesko the go-to mobile investing experience.Investing Made AccessibleWith 81% of young adults preferring to manage their finances via mobile apps, Invesko is designed as a mobile-first platform to meet this demand. It offers no account minimums and zero commissions during the promotional period, ensuring accessibility. Afterward, Invesko will continue to keep fees low for funding, trading, and subscriptions.Investing Made RewardingWith over two-thirds of young investors feeling overwhelmed by investment information and around half citing insufficient funds as a barrier, starting to invest can be intimidating. Invesko addresses these concerns by offering Rewards, which provide cash bonuses or free stocks as users invest. By recognizing and rewarding their commitment, Invesko helps turn hesitation into action, making early investment more accessible and appealing.Grow Your Investments with InveskoInvesko currently offers access to US stocks and ETFs by working with a partner broker-dealer to offer exceptional brokerage features with ultimate flexibility and the security of SIPC insurance — all delivered through the Invesko app that makes building your wealth easy.&nbsp;The company is also expanding to include local stocks, as part of its strategy to become a comprehensive financial-services provider.“Our vision is for Invesko to be the most trusted, lowest-cost, and culturally relevant investment app for Gen Z in Southeast Asia—the most tech-savvy and largest user base,” Invesko founder Miko Bantigue says. “Looking ahead, we aim to offer a seamless experience where users can grow and manage all aspects of their wealth in one place. We’re building a platform where they can easily transition between US stocks, local stocks, automated investment products, and a high-yield USD cash account. It will truly be ‘all my investments.’”The app is available to customers in over 150 countries on the Apple App Store and Google Play at <a href="http://getinvesko.com">getinvesko.com</a>.-Invesko is not a securities broker and does not provide any broker-dealer services. We work with licensed partner broker-dealers to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Nothing in this press release should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities or other financial products in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, purchase, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Neither Invesko nor its partner broker-dealers hold the necessary licenses or registrations in such jurisdictions. Prospective investors should seek the advice of their own financial and legal advisors before making any investment decision.

Venture Capitals

Startups

Invesko has announced that it has welcomed more than 12,000 new investors aged 18-29 to its platform since launching in May 2024

Filipino-Founded Invesko Attracts 12,000 Gen Z Investors Across Southeast Asia in Just Two Months

Through this new solution, Netbank provides a dedicated bank account for international remittance companies to facilitate inbound transactions from overseas and local disbursements into different bank accounts and wallets.

Netbank has already partnered with TransferGo, a global payment service provider registered in the United Kingdom, for this solution.

TransferGo was able to facilitate inbound transactions in GBP and USD from overseas and was able to disburse PHP into different local bank accounts and wallets via an Application Programming Interface (API) connection.

Augmante Alisauskaite, Senior Relationship Manager of TransferGo said,

“Despite the complexities of navigating regulatory requirements, the Netbank team demonstrated a high level of expertise throughout the process.

Their approach allowed us to build one of the best products in the market. The innovative approach taken by their team has truly set them apart as a partner.”

Alain Abadiano, Head of International Accounts and Payments Solutions of Netbank said,

“With the large presence of Filipino migrant workers all around the globe, and increasing B2B trade flows, there is a huge opportunity for international remittance companies serving the Philippines.

Netbank is here to provide innovative solutions to these companies and ensure that their business transactions here in the Philippines will be seamless and efficient.”

<h1>Netbank Launches Solution to Ease Remittances to the Philippines</h1>Netbank, a Banking as a Service (BaaS) platform, has launched a solution that allows international remittance companies to facilitate cross border payments into the Philippines.Through this new solution, Netbank provides a dedicated bank account for international remittance companies to facilitate inbound transactions from overseas and local disbursements into different bank accounts and wallets.Netbank has already partnered with TransferGo, a global payment service provider registered in the United Kingdom, for this solution.TransferGo was able to facilitate inbound transactions in GBP and USD from overseas and was able to disburse PHP into different local bank accounts and wallets via an Application Programming Interface (API) connection.<img style="max-width:100%;height:auto;" src="https://vritimes-public.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/production/f43625811963c0cde6e86b3cb88cac29f3747766d381aa0bb4636285e0d5acff/Augmante-Alisauskaite-300x300.jpg" alt="Augmante Alisauskaite"/>Augmante Alisauskaite, Senior Relationship Manager of TransferGo said,“Despite the complexities of navigating regulatory requirements, the Netbank team demonstrated a high level of expertise throughout the process.Their approach allowed us to build one of the best products in the market. The innovative approach taken by their team has truly set them apart as a partner.”Alain Abadiano, Head of International Accounts and Payments Solutions of Netbank said,“With the large presence of Filipino migrant workers all around the globe, and increasing B2B trade flows, there is a huge opportunity for international remittance companies serving the Philippines.Netbank is here to provide innovative solutions to these companies and ensure that their business transactions here in the Philippines will be seamless and efficient.”We give fintechs a total toolkit, so they can focus on their clients and their growth. The same tools allow non-bank networks (pawnshops, MFIs, employers, insurers) to offer complete banking services to their clients. We are excited by seeing other organizations succeed.

Our goal is to allow Filipinos to get safe and reliable banking from the channels and institutions they already trust.Netbank.ph
+6328708-7087
support@netbank.ph

System / Website / Application development

Banks / Credit unions

Credit card / Loan

Netbank, a Banking as a Service (BaaS) platform, has launched a solution that allows international remittance companies to facilitate cross border payments into the Philippines.

Netbank Launches Solution to Ease Remittances to the Philippines

The campaign with the aim to educate millions of smartphone and online users against phishing scams had kicked off on 29 May 2023 at Shangri La The Fort in Taguig City.

The industry-led multi stakeholder national consumer cybersecurity campaign is being led by the Fintech Alliance in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, National Privacy Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, telecommunications companies, consumer groups, and media groups.

The campaign was launched in response to the emergence of risks and threats to users’ safety and to ensure the sustained consumer trust on digital payments platforms.

“I am proud to see everyone working hard to make the Nationwide Consumer Cybersecurity Education Campaign an effective and invaluable tool in helping accelerate the Philippines’ Digital Economy.

You can count on BSP to be a staunch supporter of our project. We will continue to work hand in hand with all of our stakeholders and ensure the far-reaching impact of this campaign,”

“With all industry players, government, media and the Filipino consumers working together, we’re ready to unlock the power of cybersecurity with consumer education!

We enjoin all Fintech Alliance member companies to have our campaign in all your social media platforms and use the hashtag #WagMagpalokoMagingScamAlerto,”

said Lito Villanueva, Founding Chairman of the&nbsp;Fintech Alliance.PH&nbsp;and Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer at RCBC.

FinTech Alliance.PH also kicked off the first cohort of the Cambridge Fintech Regulatory and Innovations (FTRI) Programme.

It is by the Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge in Southeast Asia in partnership with the Mapua University in the Philippines.

The programme targets the development and training of regulators, legislators, policy makers, and practitioners and professionals in banking, fintech and digital industries.

<h1>Fintech Alliance.PH Kicks off National Cybersecurity Education Campaign</h1>Fintech Alliance.PH, the country’s largest association of fintech and digital players, had launched a multistakeholder national cybersecurity awareness and education campaign.The campaign with the aim to educate millions of smartphone and online users against phishing scams had kicked off on 29 May 2023 at Shangri La The Fort in Taguig City.The industry-led multi stakeholder national consumer cybersecurity campaign is being led by the Fintech Alliance in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, National Privacy Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, telecommunications companies, consumer groups, and media groups.The campaign was launched in response to the emergence of risks and threats to users’ safety and to ensure the sustained consumer trust on digital payments platforms.<img style="max-width:100%;height:auto;" src="https://vritimes-public.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/production/78435b15baeecf077630dd8efc68f7a678e1c920954f68a2333b941e7c399779/Felipe-M.-Medalla-150x150.png" alt="Felipe M. Medalla"/>“I am proud to see everyone working hard to make the Nationwide Consumer Cybersecurity Education Campaign an effective and invaluable tool in helping accelerate the Philippines’ Digital Economy.You can count on BSP to be a staunch supporter of our project. We will continue to work hand in hand with all of our stakeholders and ensure the far-reaching impact of this campaign,”said BSP Governor Felipe Medalla.<img style="max-width:100%;height:auto;" src="https://vritimes-public.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/production/dac35ecb3f2bdee1e3521ab3d306af25ef6fcb5dcf0eee0fa0fb134d7225a00b/Lito-Villanueva_RCBC-2020-150x150.jpeg" alt="Lito Villanueva"/>“With all industry players, government, media and the Filipino consumers working together, we’re ready to unlock the power of cybersecurity with consumer education!We enjoin all Fintech Alliance member companies to have our campaign in all your social media platforms and use the hashtag #WagMagpalokoMagingScamAlerto,”said Lito Villanueva, Founding Chairman of the&nbsp;Fintech Alliance.PH&nbsp;and Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer at RCBC.FinTech Alliance.PH also kicked off the first cohort of the Cambridge Fintech Regulatory and Innovations (FTRI) Programme.It is by the Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge in Southeast Asia in partnership with the Mapua University in the Philippines.The programme targets the development and training of regulators, legislators, policy makers, and practitioners and professionals in banking, fintech and digital industries.FinTech Alliance.ph is the Philippines’ leading and largest digital trade organization comprised of startups and unicorns collectively generating over 90% of digital-initiated transactions volume in the country today.
In organizing ourselves, we are nurturing our collective strengths and realizing its great potential in contributing to the country’s economic and social development.
Together, we believe in the enormous opportunity through continuous engagement in building and expanding a sustainable digital finance ecosystem. Ultimately, it must redound to the benefit of every Filipino, especially those in the bottom of the pyramid.
With initiatives encompassing other key sectors such as agriculture, transportation, water, health, education, and renewable energy, among others.secretariat@fintechalliance.ph

Coaching / Mentoring / Consultation

Security

Cryptocurrency

Fintech Alliance.PH, the country’s largest association of fintech and digital players, had launched a multistakeholder national cybersecurity awareness and education campaign.

Fintech Alliance.PH Kicks off National Cybersecurity Education Campaign

Mr. Malolos made this pronouncement as he participated in a panel discussion with his co-experts in the field of fintech to impart ways to create a more inclusive financial system through technology at the first AI Summit in the country hosted by the Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI).

“In order to achieve financial inclusion, you need to have financial common sense first, which means understanding the behavior of your target market whether it be compatibility to the device they will be using and how it will be used. People are not fully aware of how technology impacts their lives. And for us in the fintech industry, we need to see technology as a tool to deliver that promise of innovation,” he said, emphasizing the key challenge to financial inclusion in the country is the efficient adoption of the target consumers to fintech services developed such as digital banking.

Mr. Malolos emphasized that fintech companies should also take into consideration the importance of keeping digital financial services simple, easy to use, and accessible to both merchants and their customers—a feature PayMongo upholds in its platform. He also added that with the emergence of AI, hopefully profiling and capturing these target markets will be easier and more accurate.[2]

He expounds that it is only when these target consumers understand how to utilize these financial services, can they truly see its benefits to their daily lives.

“In PayMongo, we make sure that as we get into micro merchants, we are able to give them the benefit of setting up and succeeding in their business. It is when they succeed and generate income that they can appreciate the other players in the fintech ecosystem.”

Financial inclusion is defined as the availability and equality of opportunities to access financial services such as banking, loan, equity, and insurance products.&nbsp; Adoption in terms of technology, on the other hand, refers to the process of accepting, integrating, and using new technology in society.

Per data from a Department of Science and Technology study in 2022, awareness on technological advancements doesn’t directly translate to technology adoption. Various factors such as knowledge, financial constraints, owner and employees’ lack of awareness on the importance of the technology, weak technology base, and poor infrastructure significantly hinder businesses from adopting new technologies.

As CEO of the leading payment gateway in the country, Mr. Malolos discussed the efforts made by PayMongo in uplifting the livelihood of MSMEs. He stressed how PayMongo capacitates these business owners to help them appreciate the developments in digital finance.

“Our objective in PayMongo is to simplify things for businesses. That when you get into our system, it’s so easy, so simple, and you will realize that utilizing these digital financial systems is actually not as complicated as it seems,” he expressed. Just last month, PayMongo signed an agreement with Unionbank, expanding both companies’ financial network further, and providing a more accessible and simplified payment processing for businesses of all sizes.

<h1>PayMongo Chief calls for simpler, more convenient digital financial services in accelerating financial inclusion</h1>PayMongo Chief Executive Officer Jojo Malolos stressed the importance of knowing your consumers well and identifying the specific needs and circumstances of consumers to achieve financial inclusion, especially here in the Philippines.Mr. Malolos made this pronouncement as he participated in a panel discussion with his co-experts in the field of fintech to impart ways to create a more inclusive financial system through technology at the first AI Summit in the country hosted by the Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI).“In order to achieve financial inclusion, you need to have financial common sense first, which means understanding the behavior of your target market whether it be compatibility to the device they will be using and how it will be used. People are not fully aware of how technology impacts their lives. And for us in the fintech industry, we need to see technology as a tool to deliver that promise of innovation,” he said, emphasizing the key challenge to financial inclusion in the country is the efficient adoption of the target consumers to fintech services developed such as digital banking.Mr. Malolos emphasized that fintech companies should also take into consideration the importance of keeping digital financial services simple, easy to use, and accessible to both merchants and their customers—a feature PayMongo upholds in its platform. He also added that with the emergence of AI, hopefully profiling and capturing these target markets will be easier and more accurate.[2]He expounds that it is only when these target consumers understand how to utilize these financial services, can they truly see its benefits to their daily lives.“In PayMongo, we make sure that as we get into micro merchants, we are able to give them the benefit of setting up and succeeding in their business. It is when they succeed and generate income that they can appreciate the other players in the fintech ecosystem.”Financial inclusion is defined as the availability and equality of opportunities to access financial services such as banking, loan, equity, and insurance products.&nbsp; Adoption in terms of technology, on the other hand, refers to the process of accepting, integrating, and using new technology in society.Per data from a Department of Science and Technology study in 2022, awareness on technological advancements doesn’t directly translate to technology adoption. Various factors such as knowledge, financial constraints, owner and employees’ lack of awareness on the importance of the technology, weak technology base, and poor infrastructure significantly hinder businesses from adopting new technologies.As CEO of the leading payment gateway in the country, Mr. Malolos discussed the efforts made by PayMongo in uplifting the livelihood of MSMEs. He stressed how PayMongo capacitates these business owners to help them appreciate the developments in digital finance.“Our objective in PayMongo is to simplify things for businesses. That when you get into our system, it’s so easy, so simple, and you will realize that utilizing these digital financial systems is actually not as complicated as it seems,” he expressed. Just last month, PayMongo signed an agreement with Unionbank, expanding both companies’ financial network further, and providing a more accessible and simplified payment processing for businesses of all sizes.support@paymongo.com

PayMongo Chief Executive Officer Jojo Malolos stressed the importance of knowing your consumers well and identifying the specific needs and circumstances of consumers to achieve financial inclusion, especially here in the Philippines.