Cebuana Lhuillier reiterates push for financial inclusion

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebuana Lhuillier Bank commits to support the Philippine government’s goal of ensuring Filipinos’ access to financial inclusion and literacy, following its recognition as Rural/Cooperative Bank of the Year for the third consecutive year.

Given by the World Economic Magazine, and Asian Banking Awards (ABF) Cebuana Lhuillier Bank also bagged multiple awards, including the Fastest Growing Bank for Financial Inclusion, Most Innovative Microfinance Bank, and the Best Microfinance Bank in the Philippines for 2023.

“Our foremost commitment is to ensure Filipinos enjoy the fullest financial inclusion and literacy so that they get to finish their success story and live better, more fulfilling lives,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president and chief executive officer (CEO) and Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Vice Chairman.

While its roots lie in rural banking, the bank has transcended conventional boundaries through its commitment to excellence, giving rise to groundbreaking initiatives.

Currently, the bank boasts a network of six branches strategically positioned across the country, including key locations such as Cavite, Calatagan, Cebu, Davao, Makati City, and Nasugbu.

Cebuana Lhullier Bank’s revolutionary Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings Account has played a pivotal role in extending financial security to Filipinos, especially the unbanked and underbanked, empowering them to save and build a brighter future. Furthermore, the launch of the pioneering eCebuana app, which has equipped Filipinos with seamless online money transfers, stands as a testament to the bank’s commitment to harnessing digital solutions.

Collaborative partnerships with Bancnet and UnionPay have significantly broadened its card network coverage, expanding accessibility to ATMs and points of sale throughout the Philippines.

Meanwhile, its strategic partnerships with Instapay and PesoNet have been instrumental in enhancing online fund transfers. These partnerships have significantly contributed to the bank’s success in delivering accessible and efficient financial services to a broader audience.

In addition to these large-scale initiatives, the bank launched its Teachers Loans program, which saw fivefold returns in 2022, as well as its Iponaryo financial literacy campaign which reached far-flung areas in the country.

“We’re overjoyed to receive even more awards and recognitions from some of the world’s financial luminaries for the good we’ve been doing at Cebuana Lhuillier Bank,” added Lhuillier.

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President Dennis Valdes, pointed out that the bank introduced many helpful and useful innovations to its customers and clients nationwide. “But our work does not stop here. Filipinos can be assured that we will continue to give our greatest efforts to make sure they can experience as many financial services as possible for all their needs, no matter how much they have.”

In addition to Cebuana Lhuillier Bank’s awards from ABF in previous years, the bank was also recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an Outstanding BSP Stakeholder in 2021, cementing it as one of its notable resources in the agency’s Financial Inclusion Steering Committee.

Established in 1998, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank has a total of six branches nationwide. It continues to expand its reach through over 3,000 Cebuano Lhuillier branches across the Philippines.