UnionBank launches tap-to-pay feature on mobile app

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines has rolled out a new tap-to-pay feature on its online banking app, allowing customers to make contactless payments directly with their mobile phones.

The Mobile Tap to Pay service, available on the UnionBank Online app, allows users pay at any Visa contactless terminal worldwide using a near-field communication-enabled Android device linked to their UnionBank debit or credit card.

“With Mobile Tap to Pay, UnionBank is elevating the everyday payment experience for Filipinos,” UnionBank chief marketing and experience officer Albert Cuadrante said.

“By making digital payments as effortless as a tap without the need to bring out the physical debit or credit card, we’re empowering our customers to move through their day with confidence and ease,” Cuadrante added.

Once activated, the feature can be accessed from the app’s login screen and launched within seconds through biometric authentication. Customers may also link or unlink their preferred cards, giving them flexibility in managing payment options.

UnionBank said each transaction is secured by Visa’s tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card details with encrypted codes, ensuring that card data is not stored or shared with merchants.

The lender noted that the feature works at millions of Visa contactless terminals globally, providing customers with convenience whether in local cafes or overseas establishments.

UnionBank is among the first banks in the country to integrate mobile tap-to-pay technology within its banking app, reinforcing its push for digital innovation.

“Whether it’s a quick coffee run, a spontaneous purchase or a fast-paced commute, Mobile Tap to Pay is designed to keep up with our customers’ lives – making every transaction seamless and stress-free,” Cuadrante said.