Welcome Bank (Rural Bank) has partnered with Trusting Social Philippines to launch what the companies describe as the first integrated electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) and e-signature system in the Philippine rural banking sector.
The integration allows borrowers to complete the entire loan application process — from identity verification to document signing — through their smartphones, eliminating the need for branch visits, manual paperwork, or scheduled video calls.
Under the setup, applicants submit a photo of a government ID and a selfie for liveness detection. The system then verifies the identity and routes the customer to an encrypted digital signing flow. The platform combines Trusting Social’s AI-based identity verification tools with an e-signature system provided by eMudhra.
The banks said the process is designed for personal, auto, and business loan applications, and operates on a 24/7 automated basis without requiring live agent intervention.
Suk Sub Shim, president of Welcome Bank (Rural Bank), said the goal is to simplify access to financing.
“No matter where you live, you deserve a bank that works fast for you,” said Shim. “Our real goal is to earn the trust and love of the families we serve by being a bridge to their success. We’re cutting out the paperwork because a dream is too important to keep waiting. This is just the beginning of how we’re working to bring better, simpler banking to everyone.”
Johnny Escaler, CEO of Trusting Social Philippines, said reducing processing delays can help borrowers access funds more quickly.
“Every delay in a loan application is a lost chance for a business to grow or a family to achieve a milestone,” Escaler said. “By streamlining the journey from identity to signature, we are helping Welcome Bank put power back into the hands of the borrower. We win when we bridge the gap between consumers and the life-changing opportunities they deserve. This partnership is proof that we can use our tools to protect people, simplify their lives, and drive true inclusion.”
The rollout also comes ahead of the June 30, 2026 deadline set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for banks to deploy automated Fraud Management Systems (FMS), in line with the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). The companies said the integration includes automated verification and behavioral biometrics designed to help mitigate identity spoofing and phishing risks.
Welcome Bank is the Philippine unit of South Korea-based Welcome Financial Group, while Trusting Social is an AI and data analytics firm providing credit risk and identity solutions to financial institutions.
