Top Transaction Bank
Consumer rating and survey site BankQuality has named Security Bank as the Most Recommended Transaction Bank in the Philippines and the Most Helpful Transaction Bank During COVID-19 in the Philippines in its 2021 Corporate Survey on Transaction Banks.
The BankQuality Corporate Survey on Transaction Banks is powered by premier financial magazine The Asian Banker. The survey covers corporates across Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam and was conducted between April and July, in tandem with The Asian Banker Transaction Finance Survey where both substantially corroborate each other’s findings.
The findings of the survey, which reflect the true voice of customers, comprise the Primary Transacting Bank, Most Recommended Bank, Most Service Efficient Bank and Most Helpful Bank during the pandemic.
“Being recognized by BankQuality as the Most Recommended Transaction Bank and the Most Helpful Transaction Bank During COVID-19 in the Philippines is proof of our commitment to BetterBanking service excellence despite the pandemic. As we work towards becoming the most customer-centric bank in the country, this award fuels us to continue to innovate as we reach more businesses in this time of crisis,” says EVP and Transaction Banking Group head John Cary Ong.
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Aisin celebrates 2021 milestones, breakthroughs
AISIN, a leading provider of premium OE-quality automotive parts, marked significant milestones this year, including the appointment of AISIN Asia’s new Managing Director, new brand and logo, products, and vision in the coming years.
With the theme, “Celebrating the New Era of Excellence: Transforming the Vision Into Movement,” AISIN celebrated the company’s achievements in 2021 in a virtual year-end gathering. The company was joined by media, influencers, as well as its executives and authorized Philippine distributor, Riken Motor Sales, Inc.
AISIN Asia’s new Managing Director, Mr. Yasuhiro Nakamura, shared how the company has strived to innovate and create products to better serve its customers. “With the help of our tech-driven solutions, we want to create a better future for our customers without compromising the quality of life and the sustainable environment. We want to show tangible solutions to environmental and social challenges while creating a safe and sustainable future for everyone. That is our vision, and we will turn this into a movement through the range and quality of products that we offer,” he said.
The company also showcased AISIN Group’s new brand and logo, which embody the company’s vision and philosophy “Inspiring Movement, Creating Tomorrow.” Meanwhile, their new tagline, “We Touch the Future,” strengthens their dedication to moving forward collectively as a company, utilizing new technologies to create new products and services that will ensure safety, comfort, and sustainability. Officially launched in April 2021, the rebranded image of AISIN was due to the merging of AISIN Seiki Ltd. with its subsidiary, AISIN AW, earlier this year.
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Fruitas community stores boost sales
Fruitas Holdings Inc. posted strong sales in November, its highest monthly sales level since quarantine restrictions were imposed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The company said it anticipates the seasonal uptick from the Christmas season, including lechon sales, which will contribute to a “better performance” this December.
“Outlet sales in November was 59 percent ahead of outlet sales in November 2020. Average daily sales per company-owned store in November 2021 was 88 percent higher than the same measure in November 2020 and also 26 percent higher than the corresponding figure in November 2019,” the company said.
Fruitas said this is partly a result of the introduction of community stores and the permanent closure of unprofitable kiosks. “The opening of more than 100 community stores was facilitated by the acquisition of The Tofu Store, re-branded to Soy & Bean, in February 2020 and Balai Pandesal in June 2021. The Tofu Store and Balai Pandesal only had two and five stores, respectively, at time of acquisition, but has aggressively grown the network of both brands,” it said.
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Maynilad CIO recognized
Dr. Francisco Castillo, senior vice president and chief information officer of West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc., has been selected as one of the best technology executives in the Southeast Asia and Hong Kong region by the International Data Group (IDG) during the recently held CIO75 Awards.
CIO75 is given to the Top 75 senior technology executives driving innovation, strengthening resiliency, and influencing rapid change across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.
Castillo landed the Top 9 spot in CIO75 for spearheading Maynilad’s Automated Customer Communication system, which made access to operational data faster, thus allowing for prompt response to sudden pressure drops in the water network that may affect service delivery. This system now enables Maynilad to inform affected customers about service disruptions in a timely manner.
CIO75 is aligned to IDG’s global awards program and viewed as a mark of excellence within the enterprise.
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E-commerce success on Shopee
Brands shifted online to better connect with their customers and tap into new and unreached markets.
Five brands – Johnson & Johnson, vivo, Crocs, SM and NIVEA 00 shared how they took advantage of Shopee’s various programs and enhanced marketing solutions.
The recently concluded 11.11 Big Christmas Sale campaign was Johnson & Johnson’s most successful one to date with multiple basket-building strategies, such as co-sponsored vouchers, aimed at driving conversion. The brand also cited category-focused programs (Mom’s Club & Shopee Beauty) and Shopee’s Brand Memberships Program.
vivo also saw significant growth during their Super Brand Days on Shopee and credits the platform’s role in the success of vivo’s Y series launch, which saw P150 million in sales in 2021.
In the recent 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, Crocs achieved a 65x uplift in orders compared to the usual, alongside Shopee’s marketing solutions such as Flash Deals and Rush Hour sales.
In 2021, SM attained many e-commerce milestones through Shopee, including a successful first-ever Super Brand Day that helped increase sales, and an all-time spike in orders during the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale.
Through weekly in-app visibility and pushes highlighting their best-sellers, NIVEA achieved tremendous growth with Shopee. The brand regularly joined campaigns such as Shopee Beauty and activated their own Brand Days, monthly Grand Launches, and Shopee Live during new product launches.
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Pru Life UK opens general agency offices
Pru Life UK expands its footprint in Pangasinan, Cavite, and Mandaluyong City with the opening of three new general agency (GA) offices in the country.
Diamond Trillion Life Insurance Agency Inc. opened its doors for Pru Life UK customers at JT Commercial Building, 95 Brgy Roxas Blvd., San Carlos City in Pangasinan.
Francisco Jr. and Family Life Insurance Agency Inc. opened its office at 2nd floor, Unit 8, J12 Property Leasing, Lot 2515-A-4&5, Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy Anabu Ii-D, Imus City in Cavite.
While Astra Life Insurance Agency Inc. opened its office at Ground Floor, Unit 1b Ajk Bldg., 326 Shaw Boulevard Corner Acacia Lane, Hagdang Bato Libis in Mandaluyong City.
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DTI, JobStreet tieup
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered witl JobStreet to aid in business recovery and bring more opportunities to local micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
Under the DTI Negosyo Center, MSMEs are entitled to free job posting credits on JobStreet platform through its Lite Ad feature, allowing over 120,000 DTI-registered enterprises to have a larger pool of jobseekers on their job offers. This also opens new opportunities for candidates who are looking for jobs during the pandemic.
As dedicated business partners, DTI and JobStreet will also execute webinars among registered MSMEs by early 2022. Through these virtual trainings, hirers could learn more about attracting the right candidate, optimizing the hiring process, engaging the workforce, and more.
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First Phoenix station rises at NLEX
The very first Phoenix station in an expressway opened at the North Luzon Expressway on December 8 as part of NLEX Drive&Dine.
Located on the southbound lane, the station is part of a compound of dining and shopping establishments in Valenzuela City.
Open 24 hours a day, the new station offers the full range of Phoenix fuels with PULSE technology, the brand’s signature fuel additive, present across all Phoenix fuel variants, and formulated for enhanced power and acceleration, and promotes engine cleaning and protection. Aside from cash, payment can also be done through cashless transactions via LIMITLESS, using digital vouchers purchased on the app. LIMITLESS members can also earn points for valid purchases.
The Phoenix NLEX station was opened with its dealer partner RDL Fuel pt./Petrocontinental and Energy Corp.
Until Dec. 31, LIMITLESS offers eight times the regular number of points for every P200 fuel spent at Phoenix NLEX using the LIMITLESS app, while a gas-up of at least P1,500 at the station gets the customer a free P100 e-coupon that can be used at any participating merchants within NLEX Drive&Dine.
