The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Maya have launched a new program to help nearly 1.9 million digital Filipino workers gain access to credit cards and banking services.
The announcement coincides with Maya’s formal induction into IBPAP, signaling closer collaboration between the IT-BPM industry and the digital financial services sector to strengthen workforce financial well-being and improve ease of doing business. Maya is the country's leading digital financial services platform, powered by the leading digital bank and merchant acquirer.
The IT-BPM sector contributes 8% of GDP, generates over $40 billion in annual contributions, and employs a predominantly young and digitally native workforce. A significant portion of employees are under 35, placing them among the country’s most economically active demographics.
Yet despite steady income streams and digital fluency, many digital workers remain
underserved by traditional banking and formal credit systems. Limited credit histories and legacy underwriting models have historically restricted access to structured credit products, including credit cards.
Under the initiative, IBPAP and Maya will work to make formal financial tools — including savings products and responsibly underwritten credit cards — accessible to qualified digital workers across the sector. The goal is not to expand borrowing indiscriminately, but to promote disciplined, structured credit that builds formal credit histories and reduces reliance on informal or high-cost lending.
“Financial resilience is directly linked to workforce stability and industry competitiveness,” said Jack Madrid, President of IBPAP. “By strengthening access to structured financial tools, we support retention, engagement, and long-term economic mobility within one of the country’s most important growth sectors.”
Maya Group Chief Executive Officer and Founder Orlando B. Vea underscored the broader economic significance of the initiative during the association’s oath-taking ceremony.
“Millions of Filipino digital workers support customers around the world in managing their financial transactions every day,” Vea said. “Yet many of these same workers have historically had limited access to formal financial tools themselves. When we equip digital workers with savings tools and responsibly structured credit, we enable them to build real financial footprints — opening doors to housing, mobility, insurance, and long-term asset building. Financial inclusion must evolve from basic access to meaningful participation in the formal financial system.”
Angelo Madrid, President of Maya Bank, said the initiative reflects a clear ambition for the sector. “We want savings tools and responsibly issued credit cards in the hands of every Filipino digital worker who qualifies. Responsible credit is not about increasing debt — it is about expanding access to formal financial tools that build stability and long-term opportunity. By leveraging digital data, disciplined underwriting, and transparent terms, we can responsibly serve digital workers who are often bankable but underserved.”
Beyond workforce financial health, the partnership will also explore ways to modernize payroll, disbursement, and reimbursement workflows across IT-BPM companies, helping reduce operational friction and administrative burden for large, multi-site employers operating 24/7.
The initiative was reaffirmed in the presence of representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), reflecting alignment with national priorities on financial inclusion, responsible credit expansion, and digital transformation.
Maya has been at the forefront of promoting financial health in the Philippines through digital engagement tools, behavioral savings nudges, and responsible credit models powered by alternative data analytics and artificial intelligence. Its approach combines disciplined underwriting with real-time security features to safely broaden access to formal financial products, including credit cards.
At the same time, Maya has supported enterprises through its omni-channel payment acceptance rails, digital payroll and disbursement solutions, and secure financial infrastructure that reduces friction and improves operational efficiency. By integrating financial health tools for individuals with scalable financial systems for businesses, Maya continues to advance both inclusion and ease of doing business across sectors.
Maya and IBPAP join forces to improve the financial health of digital Filipino workers. Photo shows from left: James Melon, Maya Business Segment Head; Jack Madrid, President and CEO, IBPAP; Orlando Vea, Maya CEO-Founder and Maya Bank Co-Founder; and Angelo Madrid, Maya Bank President.