BDO empowers Bicolano families to save, grow, and secure their future

BDO Unibank, Inc (BDO) brings practical, affordable banking solutions closer to Bicolano families — helping them grow their savings, plan for the future, and secure their golden years.

Banking for every family’s need. With BDO, you can grow your money, fulfil your dreams for your loved ones, and even secure your golden years, through comprehensive financial solutions at your favorite branch.

 

Whether you’re in the heart of Naga, the bustling city of Legazpi, or in nearby provinces across the region, BDO makes it easier for every family member — from toddlers to retirees — to take charge of their finances through simple, value-packed savings options available at your trusted local branch.

 

Planning to open bank accounts for the whole family? Why not make the smart choice where you and your loved ones can grow your money at every life stage? From early saving habits to retirement plans, there is a trusted financial solution for every family’s need.

 

With BDO, you have a wide range of bank products designed for baby to lola. Whether you are managing household expenses, teaching your kids about saving, or planning for your golden years, BDO finds ways to make the most out of your family’s future with ease.

 

Dream big for your little ones

 

Give your children, nephews, nieces or any little one you love a head start on their dreams with a BDO Junior Savers account. Available for kids up to 12 years old, open an account with as little as P100. The maintaining balance is also only P100, and the account will start earning interest when the funds reach P2,000 or higher. BDO Junior Savers account is a smart start for kids to learn the value of saving.

 

Spend smart, save smarter

 

With BDO Smart Checking account, you can issue payments with checks while enjoying the convenience of a debit card. Plus, unlike other checking accounts, your funds can earn interest. It’s also easy to monitor your transactions and you have online access whenever you need it and from wherever you are. 

 

Staying connected even from far away

 

Family is the driving force of most Overseas Filipinos. If you work abroad, make the experience easier with the BDO Kabayan Savings account. For an initial minimum deposit of only P100, you can get an ATM debit card and a passbook—not just for yourself, but for the entire family back home. This makes it easier to send remittances. No maintaining balance required, and your account will start earning interest when the balance reaches P5,000.

 

Financial security during golden years

 

Look forward to your retirement with BDO Prime Savers account. Or get this account for your parents and elderly relatives. Open and maintain a balance of at least P2,000, and earn interest by maintaining P5,000 or higher. Get special foreign exchange rates and priority handling when you visit any of BDO’s over 1,200 branches across the country. BDO Prime Savers account is an affordable way to save for the golden years.

 

Begin growing your family’s money today with the right financial solution for every life stage by opening a Junior Savers, Smart Checking, Kabayan Savings, or Prime Savers account.

Visit your nearest BDO branch and explore the Account Assist Machines or approach any one of the friendly bank officers and staff. You can also conveniently open an account online here: www.bdo.com.ph/apply.

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Cash Agad turns local stores into financial lifelines

 

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role in the Philippine economy, and their impact continues to grow. Beyond providing essential goods, many MSMEs now serve as vital banking access points for rural communities, especially in remote areas.

 

Through Cash Agad, a service offered by BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), MSMEs such as mini grocery stores, water refilling stations, hardware stores, and pharmacies have evolved into convenient and secure locations for banking transactions. Customers can withdraw cash, check their savings account balances, pay bills, and make deposits using these establishments’ point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

 

Breaking the 'Alkansya Mentality'

Cash Agad empowers both customers and MSMEs within the community. Jaime M. Nasol, Senior Vice President and Head of Agency Banking at BDO, explains how Cash Agad exemplifies the Bank's commitment to reaching more Filipinos nationwide, especially in underserved areas.

 

When BDO launched Cash Agad in 2017, around 70% of Filipinos lacked formal banking relationships. Many hesitated to open accounts because visiting a bank was a long and expensive journey.

 

 

"Imagine living in a remote community two hours away from the nearest bank. What happens? Your hard-earned money ends up saved in a coin bank. This is the 'alkansya mentality,’ and it kept many Filipinos from opening bank accounts," Jaime M. Nasol, BDO Senior Vice President and Head of Agency Banking, shared.

 

 

To address this challenge, BDO partnered with local businesses, enabling MSMEs to act as Cash Agad partner-agents and provide essential banking services to their communities. Customers can conduct financial transactions at their neighborhood sari-sari store without spending hours traveling to the nearest bank.

 

"There are areas where people live two hours away from a bank, and the fare can be costly. Instead of spending P100 on transportation, they can visit a local sari-sari store and pay a small P30 convenience fee to withdraw money, saving both time and money," he noted.

 

Empowering MSMEs, strengthening economic growth 

 

For MSMEs, serving as Cash Agad partner-agents opens up an additional income stream while increasing customer traffic to their businesses. The communities also benefit from the increased cash circulation, as residents no longer need to leave their barangay for financial transactions. 

Extra money source. Cash Agad provides MSMEs like sari-sari stores with additional revenue streams.

 

“These partner-agents act as the bank's representatives in their communities, inspiring residents to save for their future. They are, in essence, ‘the BDO’ in their barangay,” Nasol added. 

 

BDO sees these establishments as key partners, forming an interconnected network that drives financial growth in rural areas. Through Cash Agad partner-agents, individuals can open savings accounts and access basic banking services, ensuring economic opportunities reach even remote communities.

 

You too can become a Cash Agad partner-agent. With BDO, you not only boost your business, you also provide convenience and the security of bank services to your community. To learn more, visit your nearest BDO branch or www.bdo.com.ph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Get the best of digital and personal banking, your way

Who says you must choose between the ease of digital banking and face-to-face service? With BDO Unibank (BDO), you can enjoy both. It’s digital when you want it, personal when you need it.

Go digital in the BDO branch. Step into an enhanced branch experience at your favorite BDO branch in Bicolandia. 

At BDO, everything is designed to make your banking experience easy, simple, and secure. Here are some digital innovations to expect at any BDO branch in the Bicol region:

Service Assist Machine. Say goodbye to manual forms. Enter transactions digitally, sit back, and wait to be called.  

Account Assist Machine. Opening a new account? Simply fill out your details on-screen to get started.

Online branch booking. Skip the line by scheduling your bank visit ahead of time at www.bdo.com.ph/book-your-visit. Enter your transaction details, save the QR, and drop by the branch at your preferred time.  

Need help with financial decisions? BDO branches are also a great place to get personalized advice—whether you plan to save, invest, get insured, or improve your business efficiency. Nothing beats speaking to an expert in person, especially when it’s with the country’s trusted bank.

With over 1,200 branches nationwide, including nearly 75 BDO Unibank and BDO Network Bank branches in Bicol alone, the choice is yours right when you need it. You can bank your way, whether you need someone to talk to or prefer to bank through self-service machines. 

"Our customers are always a step ahead because we give them control through digital innovations, and care through in-person customer service,” shares Cora A. Mallillin, Head of Branch Banking Group at BDO. “It’s all about finding ways to make your BDO journey easy, simple, and secure.” 

Wherever you may be in the country, a new branch experience is waiting for you. To check your nearest BDO branch, visit the Find a Branch or ATM page at www.bdo.com.ph.

 

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BDO Life urges Filipinos to rethink their Plan B

From 83% to 54%: Why Fewer Filipinos Prioritize Life Insurance

Only 5 out of every 10 breadwinners in the National Capital Region, Cebu, and Davao consider life insurance as important. This is based on a recent market survey by BDO Life and research network Acorn. More alarming is the declining sense of urgency even after the pandemic. From 83% in 2022, the 2024 survey shows only 54% of respondents believe owning protection is important.

Plan B is more than just a backup plan—it's a lasting promise that your family’s future stays protected even when life takes an unexpected turn.

The most cited reason why insurance penetration remains low is budget constraints. Many individuals prioritize more pressing bills over securing their future. Yet in the face of death, accident, or calamity, life insurance is not an option but a selfless act of putting loved ones first.

 

By being present at BDO branches nationwide, BDO Life has made life insurance more accessible to customers. While information is readily available online, many still prefer to speak with insurance specialists. This puts BDO Life’s Financial Advisors in a positive position to become lifelong financial partners of clients.

 

In these heartfelt stories, Financial Advisors share real-life experiences of beneficiaries who were shielded from life’s unexpected storms because they had a ‘Plan B.’

 

Being Ready with a Plan B if Plan A fails

 

BDO Life Financial Advisor Jimmy recalled an incident during a family outing when a client was involved in a vehicular accident, and sadly, did not survive. In a fateful coincidence, his wife found out he had life insurance only a month before, when he asked her to pay the premium. She wrote to say, “Akala mo di mo kailangan, pero kailangan mo pala. Dati para sa akin, dagdag expenses lang.”

 

BDO Life Financial Advisor Jonah shared a similar story that shows how unpredictable life is. "Nakita ko na kahit healthy ang isang tao, death can happen anytime.” One of her clients, who owned a water refilling station and construction firm, was gone too soon. Thankfully, he had a Plan B in place. Using the proceeds of his life insurance policy, his family was able to keep his businesses running. In turn, his family was able to continue receiving income and maintain their standard of living, even if he was no longer in the picture. 

 

The concept of having a Plan B is something BDO Life Financial Advisor Randy stresses to his clients. “We all have a Plan A, which consists of our present standard of living, as well as our plans and dreams for the future. But life has so many risks, anytime pwedeng may mangyaring hindi inaasahan.”

 

"It’s our job as Financial Advisors to help clients recognize the need a Plan B para ma-protektahan ang pamilya financially for unexpected events, at hindi ma-disrupt ang Plan A.” This was the case of one of his clients, who had the foresight to invest in a Plan B to ensure his children can finish their studies no matter what.

 

“You owe your loved ones a Plan B that will allow them to move on in life when you’ve ceased to be in the picture,” said BDO Life President and CEO Renato Vergel De Dios. “That takes tremendous financial maturity and responsibility to recognize that life insurance isn’t an optional choice. It’s the financially smart thing to do.”  

 

Time to start your Plan B conversation with BDO Life today. Visit your nearest BDO branch to speak with a BDO Life Financial Advisor. You can also visit BDO Life’s website at www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-life to explore life insurance solutions and get premium quotes based on your financial goals and budget.

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Payroll efficiency matters: How three businesses upgraded theirs with BDO

Payroll efficiency matters

How three businesses upgraded theirs with BDO 

For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), managing payroll can be a time-consuming and daunting task. Calculating salaries, handling taxes, and releasing bi-monthly pay can be prone to errors, especially when done manually. By choosing the right bank, businesses can streamline payroll management, freeing up time for growth expansion without distractions. 

Three SMEs—spanning beauty and wellness, real estate, and freight forwarding—turned to BDO Unibank's Cash Management Services (CMS) for effective payroll systems, each using digital tools for more seamless operations and financial management.  

 

Peace of mind. Prioré Beauty and Wellness can now relax knowing their payroll is automated.

Prioré Beauty and Wellness: Reducing payroll stress

Prioré Beauty and Wellness Center, a company advocating self-care, is not immune to payroll-related stress, taking a chunk out of its staff’s personal time. Finance Head Cherry Mia Lamanosa is left to handle all the load of issuing checks and approving payroll disbursements. "I had to sacrifice weekends to handle our payroll and check disbursements manually for our suppliers." 

The beauty industry demands continuous learning, making efficiency crucial to remain competitive. "There are always new treatment methods to learn or equipment to invest in. Most of the time, deliveries happen on a weekend so I have to go to the clinic to take care of that," Lamanosa lamented. 

Thanks to BDO Business Online Banking, Prioré’s processing of salaries and checks is no longer tedious, allowing Lamanosa to focus on business growth and personal well-being. 

Upgraded. Sequioa Inn signs up for a better payroll experience with BDO.

Sequioa Inn: Cutting payroll time in half

Hotel chain Sequoia Inn initially enrolled in the bank’s digital solutions before the pandemic hit but had to pause operations due to lockdowns.  

Now, co-owner Stephanie Lynn Hao is ready to reintegrate into the modern system and expects to cut its payroll time from two hours to less than 60 minutes. "Manually inserting cash into envelopes took me around two hours to complete. With BDO’s payroll system, I can do it in way less than an hour."

Remote management also became crucial especially when Hao had to negotiate with suppliers while abroad. "I had to talk to the vendors if we could delay the issuance of checks. Thanks to BDO, I can now disburse checks even while traveling,” she added.

World Concord International: Promoting better financial habits

Emylin Ubaldo, owner of freight forwarding and brokerage firm World Concord International, considers her business as an opportunity to help employees especially in advancing their careers. She sees payroll automation as a tool for financial empowerment. 

A win-win for everyone. With an automated payroll, employees of World Concord International get their own bank account.

If the salaries are in the ATM, employees become more mindful of their spending. When they receive their bonuses, they can easily keep track of how much they have in their account. Seeing their hard-earned money grow encourages them to save more as against spending it right away,” Ubaldo noted.

By adopting the bank’s digital solutions, these SMEs achieved three levels of success: improved operational efficiency, mental well-being, and financial discipline among staff through innovation and secure banking. To know more about how BDO CMS can help SMEs thrive, visit https://www.bdo.com.ph or the nearest BDO branch in your area

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Banking public warned against prevalence of text or SMS hijacking scam

 

THE banking public should be wary against the prevalence of text or SMS hijacking, a type of scam wherein fraudsters impersonate legitimate SMS senders to dupe recipients into believing that the messages they receive are authentic.

 

According to reports from law enforcement agencies, illegal cellular sites, also known as International Mobile Subscriber Identity catchers, are using sender IDs of trusted brands like BDO to make scam texts appear legit. 

 

These spoofed messages usually entice clients with claims of prizes won, free gifts, or claims of account problems. In all these cases, the scammer instructs the client to click on a link included in the spoofed message. 

 

Once clicked, the fake link will lead to a fake website, wherein the victim will be instructed to enter his/her account details including username, password and One-Time PIN or OTP. After this information has been shared, the scammer will then use these bank credentials to gain access to the victim's bank account and steal their money.

 

BDO emphasized that it will never send messages containing clickable links to its clients. To help avoid falling victim to SMS hijacking scams, the Bank shared several important tips: never click on links, as BDO will never send links in its messages—if a message contains a link, it’s a scam; never share personal information via SMS; and always be cautious of unsolicited messages that offer deals that seem too good to be true. These precautions are essential in protecting oneself from fraud.

 

The Bank also advised its clients to report and forward any suspicious messages to 22567888.

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BDO, nagbabala laban sa mga ‘vishing’ scam

PATULOY na pinag-iingat ang publiko laban sa tinatawag na "vishing" o voice phishing scam na kadalasang tumatarget ng mga bank depositor o online bank account client para nakawin ang kanilang pinaghirapang pera.

Ang vishing ay isang modus ng scam kung saan ang scammer ay tumatawag upang makumbinsi ang kanilang nabiktima na magbigay ng sensitibong impormasyon tulad ng bank account details. Kapag nakuha na ang nasabing impormasyon, dito na maaaring nakawin ng scammer ang laman ng bank account ng biktima. 

Ayon sa BDO Unibank, narito ang ilan sa kadalasang ginagamit na modus ng mga vishing scammer upang mangbiktima:

 

1.     Tatawag sa biktima at magpapanggap na representante ng isang ahensya ng gobyerno, bangko, o di kaya'y magpapadala ng text o direct message para sila na mismo ang tawagan ng napili nilang biktima.

 

2.     Upang makumbinsi ang biktima na sya ay lehitimo, gagamit ang scammer ng impormasyong tungkol sa credit card o bank account ng biktima bilang dahilan ng kanyang pagtawag. Ang mga impormasyong ito ay maaaring makuha ng mga scammer sa mga dokumentong may sensitibong detalye na hindi naitapon ng maayos, o sa mga posts sa social media ng mismong biktima. May mga pagkakataon din na bumibisita o sumasali mismo ang mga scammer sa mga "credit card o bank account groups" sa social media para doon sila maghanap ng mabibiktima.  

 

3.     Gagamit ng pananakot o mabilis at kapani-paniwalang pananalita ang mga scammer upang tuluyang makumbinsi ang kanilang biktima, tulad ng mga katagang "na-hack ang iyong account", "may na-detect na problema sa account mo", "Congrats! Nanalo ka ng...," "Special Offer! Effective only today!," o inaatasan ang biktima na i-activate ang isang offer sa ATM kapalit ng isang reward.  

 

4.     Habang tumatagal ang usapan, tumataas din ang posibilidad na makumbinsi ng scammer ang biktima. Dahil inaakala ng biktima na lehitimo ito at hindi nya makayang putulin ang tawag o ibaba ang telepono, mas malaki rin ang posibilidad na sundin nya kung anomang instructions ang ibigay ng scammer tulad ng pagbibigay ng Card Verification Value o CVV ng credit card, username at password ng online bank account, One-Time PIN o OTP, o ang pag-click sa isang link na ipapadala ng scammer.

Sa lahat ng mga nabanggit na scenario, ang pinakakaraniwan dito ay ang pagmamadali ng scammer sa biktima nila na umaksyon na agad habang kausap ito sa telepono. Dahil dito, maaaring mataranta ang biktima at sumunod sa mga ibibigay na utos ng scammer.

Upang hindi maging biktima ng vishing scam, nagpapaalala ang BDO sa publiko na laging maging mahinahon kung makakatanggap ng text o tawag lalo sa mga hindi rehistradong numero. Dagdag pa ng bangko na kahit na alam ng scammer ang numero, pangalan at trabaho nila, huwag kaagad maniniwala sa binibitawang mensahe o susunod sa mga instruction nito. Marapat na tapusin na ang tawag lalo na kung may pagmamadali, at tumawag sa official customer service hotline ng sinasabing ahensya o bangko, dagdag pa ng BDO.

Ayon pa sa BDO, matapos ma-verify na peke ang nasabing tawag, i-block na agad ang numerong ginamit ng scammer at i-report ang insidente sa Customer Contact Center nito.

Para alamin ang iba’t-ibang uri ng scam at tips kung paano makakaiwas dito, marapat na bumisita lang sa www.bdo.com.ph. #BDOStopScam

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Education beyond the classroom: Teachers learn FinLit lessons in session organized by BDO Foundation

 OCTOBER 2024 – A teacher’s influence extends beyond the four walls of the classroom. Recognizing the role of teachers in guiding the youth, the Department of Education (DepEd) and BDO Foundation organized a financial literacy session for the benefit of 20 teachers from Naga, 20 teachers from Iriga, and 60 teachers and nonteaching personnel from Camarines Sur in commemoration of this year’s National Teachers’ Month. This was hosted by Schools Division Office - Camarines Sur. 

DepEd Camarines Sur Schools Division Superintendent Norma B. Samantela, CESO V and BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito witnessed the financial literacy session. (Photo courtesy of Empower and Transform)

Designed to empower teachers in the early stages of their career, the session focused on essential financial management lessons like budgeting, saving, financial planning, debt management, and fraud and scam prevention.

“As teachers, we are responsible for setting a positive example to our students – we are their second parents after all,” said Norma Samantela, Camarines Sur schools division superintendent. “This training initiative enables us to be better role models as we make sound financial decisions and secure our futures and those of our families.”

 

DepEd and BDO Foundation work closely to help improve the financial literacy levels of beneficiaries in the education sector. Together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the partners currently implement a financial education program for public schools across the country.

Teachers actively participated in visioning exercises designed to identify financial goals. (Photo courtesy of Empower and Transform)

Veteran business journalist and staunch fin ed advocate Salve Duplito facilitated the learning session held at Lotus Blu Hotel. Raised by a mother who was also an educator, she related to the common struggles of teachers, especially those with family responsibilities.

 

“Sharing the gift of knowledge that hones the minds of the youth is what teachers do best. We want to give back to them in the same way – through financial education,” she shared.

 

Financial inclusion is one of the program pillars of BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. The initiative in Naga is one of the many efforts of the organization to spearhead actions that aim to help improve the economic well-being of Filipinos in different sectors of society.

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