EastWest Rural Bank President Shiela Marasigan-Bajado and SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph M. de Claro during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.
Access to the MySSS Card is set to become easier and more convenient for more Filipinos, especially those living in far-flung and underserved areas, after the Social Security System (SSS) tapped EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) as the first rural bank issuer of the card.
The partnership marks a significant step in expanding financial inclusion by bringing essential banking and social security services closer to communities where formal banking options remain limited. With the collaboration, SSS members will no longer need to travel far to apply for a MySSS Card and access their benefits more securely and efficiently.
Designed as a dual-purpose card, the MySSS Card serves not only as an official SSS identification card but also as a fully functional debit card. This allows members to receive benefit payouts and loan proceeds, make digital payments, and manage everyday financial transactions through a single, secure platform.
The application process for the MySSS Card will soon be made available through EWRB’s 112 branches nationwide, as well as at EastWest branches through their Cross-Selling Desks. A large number of these outlets are located in provincial areas, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao, where access to banking services has long been a challenge for many residents.
During the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement, EWRB President Shiela Marasigan-Bajado and SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro underscored the shared mission of making financial services more accessible to Filipinos across the country.
Bajado said MySSS cardholders will benefit from waived maintaining balance requirements, removing one of the common barriers to account ownership. She added that cardholders may also begin earning interest once their account balance reaches at least ₱500, giving members an opportunity to grow their savings while enjoying flexible account features.
For SSS, the initiative goes beyond convenience. De Claro said the partnership is expected to improve the overall member experience by making benefit disbursement and loan release faster, safer, and more seamless. Because the accounts are automatically enrolled with SSS for benefit and loan proceeds, the process becomes more streamlined for registrants, members, pensioners, and beneficiaries.
He also emphasized the added layer of security built into the MySSS Card, noting that it includes verification checks against the National ID database to help validate member identities and ensure that benefits and loan proceeds reach the rightful recipients.
The new arrangement also builds on EastWest Rural Bank’s broader commitment to financial inclusion. Over the years, the bank has rolled out programs aimed at widening access to essential financial tools, particularly for low-income earners, farmers, micro, small and medium enterprises, and unbanked individuals in rural communities.
Among these are simplified account opening procedures that lower entry barriers for first-time clients, as well as access to EastWest’s mobile and online banking platforms, allowing customers to manage their funds anytime and anywhere.
The partnership likewise strengthens the long-standing relationship between EWRB and SSS, which dates back nearly a decade. In 2017, the rural bank was recognized in the SSS Balikat ng Bayan Awards as Best Collecting Partner and Best Paying Partner in the rural bank category, reflecting its track record in supporting the agency’s programs.
With the MySSS Card Program, EastWest Rural Bank and SSS are reinforcing a shared vision of making financial services more inclusive, secure, and accessible. For many Filipinos in rural communities, the initiative could mean easier access not just to benefits, but also to the broader financial system.
“Our goal has always been to make essential financial services accessible to every Filipino wherever they are,” Bajado said. “Through the MySSS Card Program, we are proud to support SSS in bringing secure and convenient banking closer to the communities that need it most.”