Maybank, Malaysia’s biggest bank. Malaysian investors are expected to start exploring investment opportunities in Mindanao—particularly in the banking, palm oil and rubber plantations, infrastructure and tourism industries—following the successful business mission held alongside the state visit of President Aquino to Malaysia. CDN FILE PHOTO
Maybank Philippines Inc. has teamed up with iconic British foothold club Manchester United to roll out the country’s first credit card co-branded with an international sports franchise.
Maybank Manchester United Visa credit card was launched Thursday night and was graced by Denis Irwin, an Irish international fullback who was a cornerstone of Manchester United’s defense during the Reds’ dominance of the 1990s.
Described as a “near-flawless defender on either flank,” Irwin made over 500 appearances for Manchester United in an epic playing career, regularly scoring free kicks and penalties.
Irwin said it was his first time to be in the Philippines and was delighted to be in a country where Manchester United had over 10 million fans.
“We’ve got some history. I was part of a very similar launch in Singapore,” Irwin said, noting that the results of the rollout of the Maybank Manchester co-branded Visa credit card had “fantastic” results, which would likely be replicated in the Philippines.
The Manchester United legend also commended the Azkals for “getting better and better” in football and raising the popularity of the sport in the country.
The Philippines is the third country where Malaysian banking giant Malayan Bank introduced the Manchester co-branded credit card since a global partnership was struck in 2011. The co-branded card was first launched in its home markets Malaysia and Singapore. After the Philippines, the co-branded product will next be rolled out in Indonesia.
“Everyone wants to be associated with a winner,” Maybank Philippines president Herminio Famatigan Jr. said.
Being a latecomer in the credit card business in the Philippines, he said business growth was about brand-building and the need to create buzz and excitement.
Famatigan noted that Manchester United was an “aspirational” brand that fit perfectly with the Maybank’s quest to team up with a global brand that is well-known in the region where the Maybank group operates.
At the same time, he said football was gaining popularity in the Philippines, thanks to the national men’s team Azkals and women’s team Malditas.
The banker also said the launch of the card was part of Maybank Philippines’ bid to boost its consumer loan portfolio, already the fastest-growing segment in its loan portfolio.
Consumer loans account for about 42-44 percent of the bank’s total loan portfolio.
This segment grew by 41 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of the year.
The co-branded card, he said, carries exclusive perks.
For instance, cardholders can enjoy 5x TreatsPoints every time the Manchester United Team wins a Premiere League Match and 10x TreatsPoints when they shop at the Manchester United Megastore Online at 10 percent discount.
Users can also avail themselves of a 10-percent discount when they dine at the Red Cafe in Old Trafford Stadium and a 20-percent discount when they go on a tour of the Manchester United museum and stadium.
“We made the Maybank Manchester United Credit Card ideal for active and sports-oriented Filipinos as we have partnered with various sports retail stores, fitness centers and sports bars where they can enjoy discounts which is on top of the region-wide privileges offered by Maybank Manchester United Credit Card,” said Maybank Philippines vice president and cards head Eden Leah Estrella.