UnionDigital Bank (UD), the digital banking subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, has officially launched the Kaya Mo Movement, designed to break barriers to financial inclusion and empower every Filipino to believe in their financial potential.
Rooted in empathy, scale, and sustainability, Kaya Mo is UD’s commitment to reimagining banking for the 37.6 million Filipino adults who remain unbanked. The movement aims to make digital banking intuitive, accessible, and empowering—especially for first-time users among sari-sari storeowners, ride-sharing drivers, daily wage earners, and informal workers.
The movement was launched during a recent event that brought together UD’s ecosystem partners, digital inclusion advocates, fintech leaders, and grassroots community representatives. Attendees heard compelling stories from microentrepreneurs whose experiences reflect the everyday financial challenges faced by underserved Filipinos, highlighting the real-world relevance of UD’s mission to deliver accessible credit, savings, and digital financial tools to those who need them most. The event also featured wealth coach Chinkee Tan, who led an interactive segment with the audience, using relatable scenarios to highlight the importance of budgeting, saving, and smart borrowing, reinforcing how financial education is key to long-term empowerment for the underserved communities.
“At UD, financial inclusion isn’t just a mission—it’s the lens through which we grow and serve our communities,” said Danilo “Bong” Mojica II, PhD, president and CEO of UD. “We design technology around real people, helping every Filipino—regardless of income or background—access tools that empower them to take charge of their financial journey. Through the ‘Kaya Mo’ movement, we’re not just providing banking—we’re partnering with our customers and communities to help them start, recover, and thrive. Because when people are truly empowered, inclusion becomes transformation.”
Financial Products Designed for Real People
Enabling the Kaya Mo Movement is a growing suite of financial products designed to meet the real needs of underserved Filipinos. UD’s basic savings account, UD Save, promotes financial resilience with no minimum balance and zero maintenance fees, removing common barriers that often discourage first-time savers. Meanwhile, UD Time Deposit enables customers to start building long-term savings with as little as PHP1,000, making it the only digital bank in the country to offer this low-entry option. UD Loans, the bank’s existing credit offering, is currently made available through a microsite to select UnionBank payroll clients and pensioners. With flexible installment terms and use cases that cover essentials like healthcare, it remains a core product supporting customers’ everyday financial needs.
Soon, UD will further expand its offerings with UD Cash Loans, a simplified digital loan product set to be launched via the UD app. Designed for first-time borrowers, it aims to remove common barriers such as collateral and extensive documentation. The bank will also roll out a virtual card powered by VISA, allowing users to make secure and convenient online transactions without a physical card, broadening access to the digital economy. Additional features in development include early wage access, which will enable workers to tap into their salary ahead of payday, and microinsurance offerings to help users stay protected from unexpected life events. Together, these innovations are meant to give everyday Filipinos the confidence and tools to move forward financially.
Mike Magpily, chief marketing officer of UD, shared, “Kaya Mo is our promise to make financial inclusion real. We’re not just offering hope; we’re introducing products that help Filipinos take control of their money—from getting a loan when it matters, to saving for emergencies, to managing everyday expenses through a digital bank built for real life. It’s simple, accessible, and built around how Filipinos actually live, earn, and spend their money. Just to prove that kaya talaga ng Pilipino na umasenso.”
From Exclusion to Empowerment
A panel discussion featured voices from organizations that supported the movement, including mWell, the country’s first fully integrated digital health and wellness platform championing accessible healthcare for underserved communities, and Hapinoy, a social enterprise supporting thousands of microentrepreneurs nationwide.
“Access to finance is one thing—but the gift of seeing a brighter future and having the agency to make it happen is what truly changes lives,” said Mark Joaquin Ruiz, co-founder and president of Hapinoy. “We’ve seen this firsthand through our work with sari-sari store owners—some of the hardest-working, most resilient Filipinos you’ll ever meet. With UD’s support, many of them are now shifting from day-to-day survival to longer-term financial planning. That’s the kind of transformation we believe in. When technology and empathy come together, communities don’t just survive—they thrive.”
UD’s use of alternative data enables us to extend credit to customers without traditional financial histories, who are often excluded from the formal financial system. By continuously refining its credit models, they’re able to responsibly serve more Filipinos while managing risk effectively.
The event culminated with UD representatives and partners coming together to express a unified commitment, symbolizing that the Kaya Mo Movement is about uplifting real people together, not just delivering products. “We’re not just refreshing how we look; we’re refreshing how we serve,” Mojica added. “We want to continue to be a true partner in every Filipino’s journey—from meeting daily needs to securing the future. With UD, Kaya Mo.”