Digital Wallet Corp. and PNB Form Global Alliance to Empower Overseas Filipinos
A new fintech collaboration between Japan’s Digital Wallet Corp. and the Philippine National Bank opened doors to faster, smarter, and more inclusive financial services for Filipinos abroad.
A Game-Changing Fintech Alliance for Global Filipinos
TOKYO / MANILA In a landmark move that reshaped the fintech landscape for millions of Filipinos living abroad, Digital Wallet Corporation (Japan) and the Philippine National Bank (PNB) officially entered into a global strategic partnership to enhance international remittance services and provide secure, user-friendly financial access to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
The formal signing ceremony took place on July 3, 2025, at PNB’s headquarters in Metro Manila and was attended by senior leaders of both institutions. Among the signatories were:
- Edgar A. Cua, Chairman, PNB
- Edwin R. Bautista, President & CEO, PNB
- Isabelita “Belitte” Papa, Lead Independent Director, PNB
- Muffet Flores-Caculitan, Head of International Banking & Remittance, PNB
- Eiji Miyakawa, Founder & CEO, Digital Wallet Corp.
- Alex Rapi Milan, Director, EVP & COO, Digital Wallet Corp.
Leadership Voices
“PNB is an outstanding institution that has long supported the Filipino community. With this partnership, we aimed to deliver a remittance and banking experience that was more affordable, accessible, and reliable,” said Eiji Miyakawa, CEO of Digital Wallet Corp.
“Through this collaboration, we expanded our global remittance network and offered our kababayans in Japan a more seamless way to support their families back home,” noted Edwin Bautista, President & CEO of PNB.
“Coming back to PNB felt like a full-circle moment,” added Alex Rapi Milan, a former PNB officer. “It was the foundation of my journey in fintech, and I’m proud to now help bridge Filipino families through technology.”
What This Partnership Meant
The alliance between PNB and Digital Wallet Corp. brought together:
- PNB’s nationwide banking infrastructure and trusted legacy
- Digital Wallet’s AI-driven fintech platform, including the award-winning Smiles Mobile Remittance app
- Access to faster, more cost-efficient international money transfers for Filipino communities across Japan and other countries
- A mission to serve global Filipinos “every step together”, offering tools to invest, save, and support families back home
This collaboration was more than a business deal—it was a commitment to empowering Filipinos globally with tools for financial freedom and long-term stability.
About Digital Wallet Corp.
Founded in 2014 by former Sony engineers, Digital Wallet Corp. is a Tokyo-based fintech pioneer. Its flagship service, Smiles Mobile Remittance, launched in 2017, is Japan’s most downloaded remittance app. Smiles offers:
- Real-time international money transfers
- Transparent, fair exchange rates (“Everyday Great Rate”)
- Multilingual native customer service
- Integrated loyalty and referral programs
Digital Wallet has expanded operations to eight countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Canada, and the U.S., and earned accolades such as the 2021 Good Design Award.
