UnionBank, the Philippines’ Best Digital Bank, brings out two new branch prototypes amid a continued push to migrate customers to digital banking.

Located at Madrigal Building along Ayala Avenue in Makati City, the ARK for Business is the first UnionBank branch designed to make business transactions seamless and efficient. The ARK for Business will let all types of business clients conveniently pre-stage their transactions at the comfort of their offices through The PORTAL – UnionBank’s newest business banking platform that allows scheduling of visits at the branch. The PORTAL has a website and a mobile app version that gives business clients basic banking functions such as account viewing, fund transfers through multiple channels, and payment to government and utility billers. Customers can also access a financial supply chain system powered by blockchain inside the platform.

At the ARK for Business, heavy duty self-service machines are available to accommodate large transactions from business clients – who comprise 90% of Ayala Madrigal’s total transactions. ARK for Business ambassadors are likewise present to facilitate digital conversion of business customers and help provide relevant business solutions. Moreover, the ARK for Business offers a co-working space for its business clients who need a temporary office – a new and unique feature among Philippine banks.

Meanwhile, UnionBank is also launching its self-service hub called UBNK at Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati to empower its customers to bank on their own terms and convenience. UBNK allows customers to perform their standard branch transactions on their own through the use of UnionBank’s self-service machines or via UnionBank Online. The self-service hubs will be set up in high foot traffic areas and will be open even during weekends.

At UBNK, clients can open an account without the need to submit any paper documents. Clients can also make cash and check deposits, withdraw cash, do funds transfer and pay bills.

To assist in the digital conversion of customers, there will be UBNK ambassadors present at UBNK for any queries about the use of the machines or the bank’s products. Apart from the human ambassadors, UnionBank is introducing its first ever digital ambassador named ANA or Amazing kNowledgeable Ambassadors - who can also assist the bank’s customers on UnionBank products and banking processes.

Apart from the introduction of ARK for Business and UBNK, UnionBank also launched 14 more ARKs completing the fleet of 40 ARKs as of December 4, 2019. For 2020, the bank has announced that it already has the blueprint in building its ARK 2.0, a smart branch with IoT-enabled devices that would leverage on 5G technology. Aligned with its 'Tech Up, Pilipinas' advocacy, UnionBank will be partnering with technology experts in building this digital infrastructure to support the development of smart communities.

– Edwin R. Bautista, President, UnionBank