Cebuana Lhuillier launches “#KayaNa: Unbanked Filipinos No More Movement”

“My dream is for every Filipino to eventually have a bank account. It’s fortunate that we are present in areas where the under-banked and unbanked Filipinos are, with our close to 2,500 branches nationwide and that puts us in the best position to make that dream a reality. I personally believe that Filipinos will make smart financial decisions if given access to the right products. This is the reason why we have started adopting the financial wellness philosophy as we want to go beyond being a microfinance company but a CENTER FOR FINANCIAL WELLNESS. I, myself, want to be known as a Chief Financial Wellness Officer. Aided by technology, CEBUANA LHUILLIER MICRO SAVINGS is just the start, this will progress into a slew of many many more services which I envision to guide millions of Filipinos in their FINANCIAL WELLNESS JOURNEY. With BSP’s basic deposit framework, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings completes the full roster of our services, all designed and developed with financial inclusion in mind. We’ve come full circle—from offering collateralized loans or pawning, remittance service, micro insurance and now, micro savings—all of these products were designed with Filipinos from all walks of life in mind especially the unbanked and underserved, who would not have access to these financial services given their circumstances in life. Cebuana Lhuillier is also adapting a new philosophy, which is financial wellness.  Our goal is not just to provide quick cash to the underbanked and unbanked for their short-term financial needs but to become an enabler for a better future for them. Allowing more and more Filipinos to steer their own direction and be captains of their own ship.  We want to help them graduate from being dependent through bridge financing options for them to experience financial freedom.” ~Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier

Cebuana Lhullier #KayaNa

Its high time to make the country’s progress inclusive to all Filipinos. Its high time we change the mindset from “Paano ba?” to “Kaya Na!”. Cebuana Lhuillier Financial Inclusion Forum entitled as “#KayaNa! The road to Inclusive Growth Forum”. Cebuana Lhuillier launches an easier, more convenient way to save through micro savings product. Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is an interest-bearing savings product owned by Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB). It is a savings account that allows clients to save up to Php 50,000 which can be accessed through the 24k card. It will provide Filipinos with a more convenient and affordable means to save their hard-earned money. The launch coincides with the introduction of “#KayaNa: Unbanked Filipinos No More Movement” happened last February 28, 2019, at New World Hotel, in Makati City.  

Topics discussed are:

• Grow Ponder: The Disparity between economic growth and an individual’s economic capacity
• Inclusive Growth: The State of Financial Inclusion in the Philippines
• Kaya Na!:  How micro savings play an integral role in financial inclusion

To ensure that micro savings account holders can fully maximize the use of their savings account and ensure greater connectivity, Cebuana Lhuillier will also be launching its very own eCebuana app which allows micro savings users to check their balance and send money through remittance, as well as load prepaid credits to their phones, and pay their bills by integrating it to their Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account. 

The app is just the first step in a long line of innovations connected to the micro savings product – on top of which is its migration to an EMV-enabled card which can be accessed through ATMs (automated teller machines).  It will also carry a debit and credit facility for online and cashless shopping, provide access to auxiliary services and help corporate and MSME (micro, small, and medium enterprises) clients manage their business through payroll cash management solutions.

Speakers Include:

Mr. Jean Henri Lhuillier
President, and CEO, PJLI Group of Companies

Mr. Jean Henri Lhuillier, President, and CEO, PJLI Group of Companies

All these efforts to make savings accessible to every Filipino are part of Cebuana Lhuillier President & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier’s vision on financial wellness. The launch of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings coincides with the launch of the #KayaNa: Unbanked Filipinos No More Movement, which aims to transform the landscape of saving in the Philippines. In light and in support of the BSP’s call for greater financial inclusion among Filipinos, Cebuana Lhuillier aims to reach more underserved Filipinos and empower them to save for the future through its micro savings product.

Ms. Pia Bernadette Tayag
Head, Inclusive Finance Advocacy Office, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Ms. Pia Bernadette Tayag, Head, Inclusive Finance Advocacy Office, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Acting as a cash agent of the Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB), micro savings is Cebuana Lhuillier’s platform for Filipinos to overcome the barriers to saving. While Filipinos like to save, they opt to keep it at home according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings enables every Filipino to break through these barriers. Opening a Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account requires only one valid ID and a minimal Php 50 initial deposit. And because of Cebuana Lhuillier’s wide network of branches comprised of 2,500 retail infrastructures, account holders can deposit and withdraw anywhere at their most convenient hours.

The lukewarm attitude of the masses towards opening a savings account is attributed to the barriers to saving in banks. The lack of access to banks among the country’s many cities and municipalities remains as the top deterrent, according to a BSP study. In fact, only 33% or 551 cities in the Philippines have access to banking institutions. The numerous documentary requirements is a major turn off for many, along with the high cost of initial deposit, high maintaining balance, as well as, high dormancy charges.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero
Chairman - Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, Senate of the Philippines

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Chairman - Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, Senate of the Philippines

Senator Chiz mentioned if you have a bank account or if you have an account its easier to save, to borrow money, its easier for today's payment systems, easier to get insurance, to have a track record, and the most important sector is the agriculture sector.

Dr. Alvin P. Ang
Director of Ateneo Center for Economics Research and Development

Dr. Alvin P. Ang, Ph.D., Director of Ateneo Center for Economics Research and Development

The lack of access to banks among the country’s many cities and municipalities remains as the top deterrent, according to a BSP study. In fact, only 33% or 551 cities in the Philippines have access to banking institutions. The numerous documentary requirements is a major turn off for many, along with the high cost of initial deposit, high maintaining balance, as well as, high dormancy charges.

The disparity between economic growth and individual Economic capacity.

Mr. Dennis Valdes

President of Cebuana Lhullier Rural Bank

Mr. Dennis Valdes, President of Cebuana Lhullier Rural Bank

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is Cebuana Lhuillier’s response to BSP’s call for financial inclusion. In 2018, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released circular order 992 also known as the Basic Deposit Framework which eases the process of opening a bank account. Through the circular, anyone can open a basic deposit account for less than Php100, with no maintaining balance and dormancy charges.

As an accredited cash agent of the Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank (CLRB), Cebuana Lhuillier branches are authorized to offer and receive Micro Savings deposits. Cebuana Lhuillier branches serving as cash agents are authorized third party service providers of the bank, according to circular no. 940 of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which details the guidelines on deposit and cash servicing outside of bank premises.

Mr. Michael Sena

, First Vice President and Group Head Integrated Marketing and Communications Cebuana Lhullier

Mr. Michael Sena, First Vice President, and Group Head Integrated Marketing and Communications Cebuana Lhullier

Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the leading micro-financial institutions, expanded to banking services. Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings is the newest product of Cebuana Lhuillier that has the following features mga kababayan:

     1. Php 50.00 initial deposit
     2. No maintaining balance
     3. 24k card is a requirement for Micro Savings transactions
     4. Account balance can be checked through Cebuana Pin Pad and SMS
     5. 0.30% interest per annum when P500 average daily balance is reached
     6. Requirements to open a Micro Savings account:

• 1 government issued ID
• Face capture
• Filled up CIFS

     7. Who are qualified to open an account?

• All Filipino citizens aged at least 7 years old

     8. You can deposit and withdraw at any 2,200 branches nationwide. Only three (3) successful                    transactions per card, per day, are allowed.

NOTE: No. The 24k card is required for all Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings transactions.

There are no transaction fees for cash withdrawal and deposit. The minimum cash deposit is Php 50 while the maximum cash deposit is Php 50,000.00. For withdrawal transactions, the minimum amount is Php 100 and the maximum amount is Php 5,000.00.

Branches are open from Monday to Sunday. However, operating hours vary per branch. Visit cebuanalhuillier.com for the complete list of branches and their respective operating hours.

List of accepted Government/Valid IDs

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
• National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
• Police Clearance
• Postal ID
• Voter’s ID
• Barangay Certification
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
• Social Security System (SSS) ID
• Senior Citizen’s ID
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
• OFW ID
• Seaman’s Book
• Alien Certification of Registration (ACR)
• Barangay cert. of ID (with picture and signature)
• Birth certificate (applicable to minors only)
• Firearm license
• Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Marriage License
• National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
• New TIN ID
• OWWA ID
• Student ID
• Alien Certification of Registration (ACR) / Immigrant Certificate of Registration
• Government Office or Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID (e.g. AFP ID, HDMF (Pag-ibig Fund) ID, etc.
• Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
• Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP)
• Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or IC (Insurance Commission)

Minimum deposit is Php 50.00.00, maximum of Php 50,000.00.
You can visit the nearest branch in your location to open an account.


For more information, visit https://www.cebuanalhuillier.com/micro-savings/.

The product is in line with the Cebuana Lhuillier’s mission of financial inclusion, which has been the thrust of the company for the past 30 years. Kaya kaCebuana "Kaya Na!".