CARD Bank Celebrates 27th Anniversary with Focus on Financial Inclusion and Innovation

CARD Bank, a microfinance-focused rural bank under the CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), marked its 27th anniversary on September 2, 2024, at the CARD Building Basement on Paulino St., San Pablo City, Laguna.

The anniversary celebration was led by CARD MRI Managing Director Arsiteo Dequito, CARD Bank President Marivic Austria, and various CARD MRI executive and management committee members, along with staff and clients, including some of the bank’s pioneering customers.

In her speech, President Marivic Austria expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported the bank over the years. “This is truly another significant milestone for us and for our clients who have continually placed their trust in us,” she said.

The month-long celebration, themed “Growing Together Through Financial Inclusion and Digital Innovation,” kicked off with a holy mass held simultaneously at all CARD Bank branches across the Philippines. This event not only marked the bank’s anniversary but also celebrated Savings Month, aimed at promoting the habit of saving.

CARD MRI Senior Adviser Lorenza dT. Bañez reflected on the institution’s resilience, stating, “We have faced numerous challenges over the years. Yet, these obstacles have only strengthened our resolve and inspired us to work even harder.”

Senior Adviser Dr. Dolores Torres reminisced about the bank’s humble beginnings: “I remember when CARD, Inc. started with just 89 clients who had unwavering faith in us. Since then, we have grown significantly and are poised to continue our journey forward.”

Looking ahead, CARD Bank is dedicated to supporting socially and economically disadvantaged women and their families by providing access to financial services and community development programs to improve their quality of life.

As part of its commitment to innovation, CARD Bank is enhancing its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and plans to upgrade the konek2CARD application to be compatible with iOS. By June 2024, the bank had served over 4.3 million clients and disbursed more than PHP 16 billion in outstanding loans. The institution aims to extend its support to even more clients across the Philippines.

For more information about CARD Bank, visit their website at https://cardbankph.com/ or their Facebook page, @CARDBankOfficial.