CARD Bank pledges continuous financial inclusion on its 29th year

By: Jireh Pearl Casionan

San Pablo City- CARD Bank, Inc., a microfinance-oriented rural bank, celebrated its 29th anniversary on September 1, 2026, at Maharlika Square in San Pablo City, Laguna.

During the celebration, the bank introduced expanded SME loan products to support clients at different stages of their business and financial journey. Building on its Quick SME Loan product ranging from PHP 30,000 to PHP 1,000,0000, the bank added new products including the Revolving Credit Line for seasonal operational expenses, the Express Working Capital Loan starting at PHP 100,000 for bridging cash flow gaps and replenishing inventories, and the Express Investment Loan providing up to PHP 5,000,000 for planned expansion and purchase of assets.

These new products are designed for clients who have graduated from microfinance loans and need larger capital for their enterprise.

The anniversary program looked back on the early days of CARD Bank when it was established in 1997. CARD Bank’s first President and CEO, now CARD MRI Senior Management Adviser Dr. Dolores M. Torres, fondly recalled how it started: “Simula’t simula pa lang, para na ito sa mga kliyente natin. Sila ang dahilan kung bakit binuksan natin ang bangko (Right from the start, this is already for our clients. They are the reason we opened the bank),” she said.

She also cited the clients’ suggestions and needs that led to the offering of the bank’s following services. “Ganon din, ang mga sumunod na banking services ay request ng members, kagaya ng pagkakaroon ng ATM, ito ay idea nila (Likewise, the subsequent banking services were requested by the clients, such as having an ATM, which was their idea),” she recalled.

Dr. Torres also remembered how some of the bank’s first clients, who had just transitioned from being clients of CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO), took off their footwear upon stepping inside the bank during the opening of the first branch in San Pablo, Laguna. “When I told them they didn’t have to, they said, ‘Madumi ang tsinelas namin, ayaw namin itong maputikan… First time naming makaapak sa totoong bangko (Our slippers are dirty, we don’t want this to get muddy… It’s our first time stepping inside a real bank),” Torres remembered.

The memory reflected the core purpose of CARD Bank’s establishment of helping underserved individuals take their first steps into the formal banking system.

CARD Bank President Marivic Austria meanwhile emphasized that while much has changed and grown in the bank over the past 29 years, its commitment to financial inclusion and poverty eradication remains at the heart of its services. “Ang CARD Bank ay mananatiling nakatungtong sa lupa, mananatiling ‘bukas para sa lahat (CARD Bank will remain grounded, will remain open for everyone),” she said, noting that the service will remain the same, particularly for clients taking their first steps toward financial stability and entrepreneurship.

CARD MRI Founder and Chair Emeritus and CARD Bank Chairperson Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip also reaffirmed the bank’s ultimate mission and priority. “CARD Bank isn’t defined by the figures it has achieved,” he said. “What defines us is the impact we have made on the lives of our clients. Kung ano ang naging ambag namin sa kabuhayan ninyo [addressing the clients], iyon po ang nagde-define sa amin (How we contribute to your livelihood, that is what will define us).”

During the anniversary program, the bank also introduced several new features for its konek2CARD mobile application, including cash-in through konek2CARD agents, bill payments, and Express Loan, the digital, pre-approved loan that allows eligible clients to apply for and instantly receive loans of up to PHP 20,000.

Dr. Alip encouraged clients to make full use of the application, noting that digital finance is part of adapting to social changes and clients’ evolving needs.

CARD MRI Managing Director Aristeo Dequito, who is also the bank’s first branch manager, delivered his message of congratulations.

CARD Bank staff and clients attended the program. Senior Management Advisers and executive committee members of CARD MRI also attended. Pioneer clients from San Pablo City, Bay, Laguna, and Dolores, Quezon, were also present to celebrate the milestone proudly.