Palida Artispong, Acting Managing Director, Krungsri Finnovate Co., Ltd.; John Cary L. Ong, Executive Vice President and Wholesale Banking Segment Head, Security Bank Corporation; Hirofumi Umeno, Board Director, Executive Vice President and Alliance Segment Head, Security Bank Corporation; Nylah Rizza Bautista, Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head, Department of Trade and Industry-Competitiveness and Innovation Group; Bunsei Okubo, First Executive Vice President and Japanese Corporate Banking Head, Bank of Ayudhya Public Co., Ltd.; Masami Yoshitake, Managing Director and Country Head – Philippines, MUFG Bank Ltd.; and Atsushi Ishihara, Deputy CEO, MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd., at the MOU signing held at Security Bank Centre in Makati City
Security Bank Corporation has joined forces with the Department of Trade and Industry and a network of regional banking and innovation partners to deepen cross-border startup collaboration and position Philippine innovators more firmly on the regional and global stage.
In a memorandum of understanding signed in Makati City, Security Bank Corporation partnered with Department of Trade and Industry alongside Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, MUFG Bank Ltd., MUFG Innovation Partners Co., Ltd., and Krungsri Finnovate Company Limited. The agreement aims to accelerate inbound and outbound startup exchanges, business matching, and innovation-led partnerships across Asia.
Security Bank executive vice president and alliance segment head Hirofumi Umeno said the collaboration reflects the bank’s BetterBanking promise by translating partnerships into concrete outcomes for businesses. He noted that the goal is to unlock opportunities that strengthen industries and support long-term growth not only in the Philippines, but across the region and beyond.
Each partner brings a distinct advantage to the table. Security Bank contributes its close relationships with Philippine corporates, while MUFG offers an extensive network spanning Japan, the Philippines, and other Asian markets.
Krungsri adds its strong footprint in Thailand and experience running regional business-matching platforms, complemented by MUFG Innovation Partners and Krungsri Finnovate’s access to startup ecosystems and investors worldwide. DTI anchors the initiative with its mandate to grow Philippine startups and promote international participation.
DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista said the partnership directly supports the government’s Startup Pilipinas agenda, the Innovative Startup Act, and the Tatak Pinoy Strategy. She added that the collaboration will focus on expanding market access, enabling startup exchanges, rolling out accelerator programs, and strengthening the country’s AI and Startup Center as a regional innovation hub.
A central pillar of the agreement is cross-border business matching. Under the MOU, partners will jointly promote startups overseas, support trade missions and exchange programs, and take part in DTI-led innovation events. Philippine startups and corporates will also gain access to Krungsri’s annual Japan-ASEAN Startup Business Matching Fair in Bangkok this June, a platform designed to connect young companies with major regional and global corporates.
Krungsri’s First Executive Vice President and head of Japanese corporate banking, Bunsei Okubo, said the bank has been actively encouraging ASEAN expansion through its Krungsri ASEAN LINK advisory service. He added that the upcoming business-matching fair, now in its fourth year, will give Filipino startups a chance to engage with leading companies from more than 10 countries.
MUFG Bank country head for the Philippines Masami Yoshitake highlighted that the collaboration is backed by MUFG’s broader ASEAN network and a USD20-billion regional investment commitment. He said the partnership reinforces confidence in the long-term potential of both the Philippines and Thailand as innovation destinations connected to global capital, talent, and technology.
Krungsri Finnovate acting managing director Palida Artispong described the MOU as a key step in advancing investment readiness, two-way market expansion, and deeper knowledge exchange to speed up startup growth across the region.
Beyond events and exchanges, the partnership will also help map Philippine startup activity, identify corporate collaboration opportunities, and drive innovation in high-growth sectors. MUFG Innovation Partners deputy CEO Atsushi Ishihara pointed to the Philippines’ young, digital-native population, English proficiency, and global connectivity as advantages that can help local startups scale internationally.
Security Bank wholesale banking segment head John Cary Ong said the agreement creates practical value by linking startups with corporates for pilots, partnerships, and investments. He emphasized that the framework is designed to deliver structured cross-border exposure and business matching while maintaining strong governance and institutional independence.
Through the new alliance, the partners aim to turn regional cooperation into tangible momentum—helping Philippine startups plug into Asia’s innovation corridors and compete with confidence on the global stage.