Palawan Group of Companies sweeps awards at ABF Fintech and Retail Awards 2024 for championing financial inclusion

MANILA, Philippines — Pawnshop and remittance company Palawan Group of Companies achieved remarkable success at the recent Asian Banking and Finance (ABF) Fintech and Retail Banking Awards.

The company was honored with three prestigious awards: the Financial Inclusion Award and the New Fintech Product Award for PalawanPay at the ABF Fintech Awards, and the Finance Company Inclusion of the Year at the Retail Banking Awards. These accolades underscore Palawan Group's dedication to financial inclusion and innovation.

The ABF Retail Banking and Fintech Awards are the foremost recognition program for Asia's banking and finance industry. These awards celebrate top performers for their innovative solutions, breakthroughs, dedication and exceptional customer service, which have redefined industry standards.

The ceremony was held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore on July 4, gathering over 100 banks, finance and fintech companies, along with 400 C-Level executives and senior finance and banking officers from across Asia.

PalawanPay president and CEO Third Librea and head of enterprise marketing for remittance and auxillary services Bernard Kaibigan, along with their PR agency, Browne Communications, represented by managing partner Laarni Reyes and business development director Amby Molina, received the awards.

Entries for the awards were rigorously evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including EY ASEAN regional managing partner Liew Nam Soon, Bain and Co.’s financial services partner Alessandro Magarini Montenero, PwC Southeast Asia Financial Services Strategy and Operations partner Mansi Singh and Deloitte Southeast Asia Audit and Assurance partner and CFO program leader Ho Kok Yong.

Palawan Group’s commitment to financial inclusion is evident through its extensive reach. Its one-stop money shop, Palawan Pera Express Padala, now boasts over 10,000 outlets nationwide, reaching even the most remote areas. This service ensures secure and affordable domestic and international remittances. PalawanPay has also accelerated financial inclusion, bringing over 19 million customers into the fold within two years.

A standout among Palawan