In a remarkable display of industry excellence, the Palawan Group of Companies (PGC) dominated the 12th Annual International Finance Awards 2024, taking home three prestigious accolades that highlight their commitment to financial inclusion across the Philippines. The ceremony, held at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, saw PGC recognized with awards for “Most Innovative E-Wallet App” for PalawanPay, “Best Pawning Company,” and “Most Innovative Remittance Company” for their operations in the Philippines.
Bernard Kaibigan, Group Marketing Head at PGC, reflected on the company’s nearly four-decade journey of service to Filipinos, “For almost 40 years, we’ve made it our mission to provide affordable, fast, and hassle-free services. Whether through Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, or PalawanPay, we’ve strived to make financial services accessible to every Filipino, especially the unbanked and underbanked.”
The International Finance Awards, established in 2013 by UK-based International Finance magazine, have become a benchmark for excellence in the global financial industry. The awards recognize exceptional talent, leadership skills, and innovative approaches, honoring organizations and individuals who drive market development through sustainable practices, financial inclusion initiatives, and technological advancement.
Palawan Pawnshop, honored as the “Best Pawning Company,” has distinguished itself through transparent collateral evaluation processes, competitive interest rates, and superior customer service. Their trademark approach of offering high appraisal values combined with low interest rates provides customers — affectionately known as “sukis” — with greater cash payouts, cementing their reputation as the country’s most reliable pawning partner.
The “Most Innovative Remittance Company” award recognizes Palawan Pawnshop-Express Pera Padala’s extensive network spanning over 10,000 outlets nationwide. This vast presence ensures accessibility for Filipinos throughout the country, including those in remote areas who might otherwise lack access to essential financial services.
PalawanPay, the recipient of the “Most Innovative E-Wallet” award, has demonstrated remarkable growth by onboarding over 20 million users in just two years since its launch. Beyond offering affordable cash-in and cash-out rates, the app provides innovative and convenient in-app access to various services including pawn renewal, microinsurance, and gold and jewelry transactions — all at competitive rates that maintain the company’s commitment to affordability.
The selection process for the International Finance Awards involves rigorous research conducted by the magazine, which has established itself as a leading source of credible financial news and analysis. Winners are chosen based on demonstrated achievements rather than popularity, ensuring the awards maintain their prestige and credibility within the industry.
With these three significant accolades, PGC strengthens its position as a leader in providing accessible, affordable, and innovative financial solutions to Filipinos. Grounded in its core philosophy of “mura, mabilis, at walang kuskos balungos” (affordable, fast, and hassle-free), PGC continues to raise industry standards while remaining true to its mission of empowering Filipinos through accessible and inclusive financial services.