PLDT, Plantersbank offer SMEs financial and telecom tools

MANILA, Philippines, April 25, 2006 – Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Plantersbank have teamed up to offer small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a package of financial and telecom solutions to help them thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

PLDT Corporate Business Group Head Eric R. Alberto said PLDT and Plantersbank hope this will ultimately contribute to the country’s economic development when many more SMEs succeed and benefit from technology.

“We’re very delighted to be teaming up our telecommunications expertise with Plantersbank’s financial know-how. This marks the beginning of our partnership with the country’s recognized leader in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) banking,” he said.

The package includes Plantersbank’s SME Proposition Package and PLDT’s BizDSL (business digital subscriber line) broadband Internet access. The SME Proposition Package is a suite of cash management, financial services and technology solutions designed to assist SME clients in managing their daily business operations.

With this partnership, Plantersbank’s SME depositors can now enjoy free broadband DSL Internet, which will allow entrepreneurs to further expand their businesses and reach a much broader spectrum of clientele.

“I take pride in this joint venture, which further reflects Plantersbank’s deeper understanding of the country’s SMEs. Our partnership with PLDT will prove to be a great benefit to this sector. We will now be able to equip them with technology that will take them right to the future,” said Plantersbank EVP and Branch Banking Group Head Roberto A. Buhain.

“It’s about time that businessmen in our country start competing actively in the global arena,” said Adonis C. Yap, General Manager of PDB SME Solutions Inc. “Why should they limit themselves to local transactions when the rest of the world is waiting on the Internet? Together with PLDT, we are giving them the opportunity to make their mark.”

This collaboration allows a Plantersbank SME client to avail of the SME Proposition package, which includes free BizDSL, by simply maintaining a required daily balance. The package includes Plantersbank’s Cash Management Services such as check writing facility, 250 pieces of continuous checks, a directory listing on the website www.sme.com.ph, plus free BizDSL from 6 months up to 2 years.

PLDT also signed the PLDT DSL Internet Reseller Marketing Agreement with Plantersbank’s subsidiary, PDB SME Solutions, Inc., appointing the latter as a channel partner and authorizing it to promote and procure the sale of PLDT BizDSL Internet services.

“In this modern day and age, Filipino businessmen need to be able to utilize a particular technology, like BizDSL, in order to maintain a responsive and globally competitive business,” added Nerissa S. Ramos, FVP and Head of PLDT Corporate Business Solutions.

Eric Alberto added: “With the advent of globalization, it is imperative for our SMEs to fit into that market. As Filipinos, we have to make the owners of SMEs known to the world. In order to do this, they have to be e-enabled.”