‘Powered UP’ fix for MSME
‘Compared to MSME Business Banking, the new ‘UB Negosyante’ brand is more relatable, easy to understand, and inclusive. That was the intent behind the rebranding.’
From left: Jaypee Soliman, Business Banking head, UnionBank; Mr. Jorge Wieneke, Creative Serial Entrepreneur, founder of Kalye Negosyo and Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc.; Nene Tamayo-Plamio, Seasoned Entrepreneur of NENE Prime Foods; Josiah Go, marketing Guru and Top Awarded Business Educator in the Philippines; and Lia Cruz, host and moderator of the event. | photograph courtesy of UnionBank
Union Bank of the Philippines launched UB Negosyante, its "Powered Up" solution for micro, small, and medium enterprises at The Podium Hall in Mandaluyong. The new brand for UnionBank's MSME business banking was unveiled to the media and launched to a gathering of MSME clients and prospects.
UB Negosyante's powered-up campaign comes on the heels of the bank's business banking app being recognized as the Best Smart Payments Solution by an SME Bank by The Digital Banker at the recently held Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2023 in Singapore. UB Negosyante aims to support MSMEs in their entrepreneurial journey by prioritizing their needs, whether small and medium business owners, sole proprietors, or micropreneurs who want to take their businesses to the next level.
UnionBank launched the MSME Business Banking app in 2021. The powered-up UB Negosyante builds on the benefits of the original app, as it has enhanced tools that can help entrepreneurs take their businesses even further.
During the launch, UnionBank showcased successful MSME clients while Marketing Entrepreneurship Mentor (and UnionBank independent director) Josiah Go shared Innovation tips for the attendees and participated in a fireside chat with seasoned entrepreneurs Jorge Wieneke and Nene Tamayo-Plamio.
According to UnionBank Institutional Segment Marketing head Dino Velasco, the new name resulted from a survey and collaboration efforts conducted among business owners and the Bank's existing MSME clients to assess their sentiments regarding potential enhancements to the app's name. The survey findings revealed a strong preference for the name due to its simplicity and relatability.
"Compared to MSME Business Banking, the new 'UB Negosyante' brand is more relatable, easy to understand, and inclusive. That was the intent behind the rebranding," Velasco said.
"SMEs face many challenges due to various pain points, which can discourage them. We wanted to address those pain points, so we put together a single user experience through the UB Negosyante app that will address those pain points, may they be related to collection, reconciliation, disbursement, just name a few," said UnionBank Business Banking head Jaypee Soliman.
To support the new solution, UnionBank also launched the "Powered UP" campaign, which will promote all the features of the new key, how they can benefit entrepreneurs, and provide tips and best practices to aid them in their entrepreneurial journey.