More rural banks become mobile bank savvy

MANILA, Philippines - Sixty-five rural banks (RBs), with 950 branches in different corners of the Philippines, are presently utilizing mobile banking technology to serve the unbanked and underbanked segments of the country’s population. Over several years, the 65 rural banks underwent training under the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines-Microentrepreneurs Access to Banking Services (RBAP-MABS). The training program is under the Mobile Phone Banking Services (MPBS) using the GCash platform. The GCash program is implemented by G-Xchange Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom. Recently, RBAP-MABS conducted a mobile phone banking accreditation seminar last month. The rural banks that sent representatives were Country Rural Bank of Taguig, Builders Rural Bank, Rural Bank of Pilar (Bataan), Rural Bank of Cabuyao, Rural Bank of Paete, Rural Bank of Taal, Community Bank (RB Alfonso), First Macro Bank, Rural Bank of Agoo, and Sampaguita Savings Bank.