Erika Dizon-Go
UnionBank is pushing deeper into digital reinvention as it unveiled a frictionless payroll onboarding system that removes HR paperwork entirely—an industry first that executives say will reshape how Filipinos receive their salaries.
The initiative comes as the bank moves toward an ambitious target of reaching 20 million customers by 2026.
In announcing the new payroll platform, Senior Vice President Erika Dizon-Go described it “as a full-stack digital process that manages payroll end to end.”
Dizon-Go added, “It marks the beginning of truly democratized payroll. This shift is already happening globally, and we see this as the first step—employees can finally choose which bank account they want their salaries deposited into, rather than having employers decide for them.”
The process fully automates employee data management, wage computation, taxes, and salary disbursement, while workers receive digital invitations to open an account through mobile or web. Instead of lining up, submitting forms, or relying on HR staff to handle documents, employees complete everything through a quick digital enrollment that allows them to choose any bank where they wish to receive their salary.
She said the shift marks a turning point in payroll management, moving away from the traditional employer-controlled model to one that gives workers freedom and transparency. She noted that similar trends are rising globally, where the payroll ecosystem is becoming more open and customizable.
The launch comes at a time when UnionBank’s customer base is accelerating. Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Albert Cuadrante reported that the bank has already added around two million new customers this year, pushing its total retail base beyond 18 million.
Cuadrante said during UnionBank’s Media Thanksgiving party, “We added about two million more to our base. That brought us to over 18 million customers now. Part of this base, we added around 300,000 new credit card customers.”
He attributed the growth to new products that resonated with consumers, including its digital savings programs and secured rewards credit offerings. The bank expects another 1.5 to 2 million new clients in 2026 as it rolls out additional innovations such as online joint account opening, GPay integration for debit cards, expanded cash-in options, and upgrades across its mobile ecosystem.
UnionBank is also preparing to introduce its own voice-enabled AI customer service assistant, RIA, designed to answer calls immediately and reduce wait times. Senior Vice President Rene Aguirre described RIA as a 24/7 intelligent responder that ensures customers can get help at any hour, while still having the choice to speak with human service personnel when needed.
Bank executives said these combined initiatives—smarter payroll solutions, AI-driven customer care, and a pipeline of new services—position UnionBank to surpass 20 million retail customers by the end of next year across lending, cards, deposits, and wealth segments. They emphasized that the bank’s broader strategy is to create a service environment where convenience, automation, and user choice drive the entire customer experience.