According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, as of July 2020, 51.2 million Filipinos remain unbanked (1). This is due to lack of money or documentary requirements, or refusal to open one. Apparently, having a bank account opens you to a lot of financial opportunities, including access to digital transactions and applying for a loan.
Thankfully, fin-tech companies are bridging the gap and reaching out to millions of Filipinos who are in need of access to financial solutions.
One of the products launched is BillEase. It is a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution that allows Filipinos to purchase items and pay on an installment basis. The best part is you don’t need to have a credit card to avail of this scheme.
Here’s a better news: BillEase recently partnered with DragonPay to provide ease in financing and make shopping easier and more convenient for consumers.
Who is DragonPay?
Established in 2010, DragonPay is an alternative payment channel that allows unbanked consumers to conveniently transact business with retailers and institutions. Instead of a face-to-face setup, interaction is done through a secured digital platform.
Its mission is to provide a “convenient and widely accessible” alternative and secure payment option online to Filipinos whether here or abroad.
The company also aims to be the driving force of e-commerce in the country through payments while keeping these core values intact: innovative, reliable, integrity, and customer-focused.
BILLEASE x DRAGONPAY PARTNERSHIP
The partnership between BillEase and DragonPay is for a common goal: to boost online consumer lending.
BillEase, through the Buy Now, Pay Later payment solution, and DragonPay allows online merchants to provide installment payment solutions to customers. Consequently, consumers can conveniently shop and pay for their purchases by availing of the BNPL scheme.
The good thing about this payment option is that credit card is not required. This means more Filipinos can have access to this service even if they are unbanked.
The pandemic affected everyone, including consumers who will find paying upfront and in full difficult. Through this partnership, both merchants and customers will find relief and comfort in keeping the business afloat and being able to purchase what they need, respectively, especially during this challenging times.
DragonPay has more than 1,500 merchants that are fully integrated in their payment system. As of this writing, here are the merchants that activated the BNPL scheme:
Linen and Homes
The company sells luxurious comfortable beddings using 100 percent viscose from bamboo.
Travel Online
This is a travel agency that offers local and international packages at affordable prices.
Monarc
Monarc offers home appliances and products including cordless vacuum, sterilizer bags, UV box, and air purifiers among others.
Gurkka
They offer a great selection of wine, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages.
Henry’s Camera
For your photo and video needs, Henry’s Cameras keep you covered.
These are just some of the merchants that allows Buy Now, Pay Later scheme as a mode of payment. More merchants will be added in the coming months, so stay tuned.
A separate post with step-by-step procedure on how to pay using BillEase for respective merchants will be made.
Sources:
(1) https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/07/17/2028480/512-million-pinoys-remain-unbanked-bsp