Saturday, March 31, 2007 Unionbank acquires new IT equipment
CLIENTS of the Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines (Union Bank) can expect better banking services with the introduction of additional facilities meant to speed up the banks daily operations, an official from Union Bank said.
Edwin Bautista, Union Bank executive vice president and retail banking center head, said the bank has invested “millions of dollars” in the purchase of two identical information technology (IT) equipment facilities.
“These are complete mirrors of the existing system wherein if one system fails, the other system can support 100 percent,” he said in the sidelines of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing with Alliance Software Inc. held at the City Sports Club Cebu last Tuesday.
According to the MOA, Union Bank will roll out IT business solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Bautista said Union Bank is in the process of installing the systems, which will be fully implemented by June this year.
Integrate
The IT systems are also meant to fully integrate the banking systems of International Exchange Bank (i-Bank) with that of Union Bank.
“Although we are fully integrated organizationally, we still need to integrate both our banking systems,” he said.
In May 2006, the board of directors of Union Bank has approved the purchase of at least 67 percent and up to 100 percent of the voting shares of i-Bank at a price of P42.50 per share.
New site
Bautista also revealed Union Bank’s plans to expand operations in Dumaguete City, Puerto Princesa and Butuan within the year.
He added a regional office will soon rise in Davao City, however, the site is yet to be identified.
Union Bank has 13 branches in Cebu, including four former i-Bank branches. It has over 190 branches nationwide. (MMM)
