ANC Business Roadshow recently featured Starpay and the significantly growing e-wallet space. In 2021 Starpay e-wallet was cited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, as an outstanding stakeholder for pushing the convenience of digitalization during the pandemic.

With several e-wallet choices available for consumers, Starpay’s Head of Product and Marketing Ryan Uy, and Head of Strategy and Corporate Development Jan Chan discussed the value of offering a platform that is easy to use with added perks like zero transaction fees and exciting discounts.

The growing industry has opened several opportunities for businesses to discover new income streams while developing innovative ideas to engage consumers. Ryan Uy, Head of Product and Marketing emphasized that Starpay has consistently pushed for affordability, accessibility, and appropriateness of their e-wallet. “Affordability because our transaction fees are low there are no fees for common bills. We also offer the highest discounts for electronic load.”

Unlike a typical account that requires several documents, users can open a Starpay account using their school or company ID. “ Our e-wallet is very accessible, we do not require primary IDs, and secondary IDs are accepted. We also hope to bring in third and fourth-tier municipalities because we can help them come on board and enjoy the convenience of the digital payment system.”

Starpay has been offering electronic payment solutions to different LGUs through their system integration and technology solutions for business permits, building permits, OTC transactions, and other payment channels.

Efficiency is a prime consideration as users rely on the platform to electronically store, manage, and transact their money. Equally important is the business of trust, especially for the brand’s target market. Starpay caters to those who live in far-flung areas, including those who do not have smartphones. “The money that they have on their Starpay account that could be all the money that they have. And so we have a responsibility to take care of those funds, make sure they are transacted properly.”

Apart from the user-friendly interface and simplicity of the application process, Starpay also has a very active customer service team. Jan Chan, Starpay’s Head of Strategy and Corporate Development, explained that amid the growing popularity of AI (artificial intelligence) and chatbots for addressing queries, the company still believes in actual human interaction.

“Financial services must be personal. It's very different when a system or an AI answers the concerns of very ordinary people. We have a very human-centric and very strong team. You’ll be surprised that around 30 percent of e-wallet users forget their passwords, another 30% forget the mobile number they used for the app, and Filipinos like switching mobile numbers. These types of queries need to be addressed by an actual agent.”

The brand became a household name during the pandemic as the platform successfully delivered cash aid under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP). The money was efficiently paid to recipients nationwide, including those who do not have smartphones.