Hitachi Digital Solutions: Making Digital Finance Accessible Across Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. From cashless payments to online banking, technology is transforming how individuals and businesses engage with financial services. Yet, despite rapid digitalisation, millions in the region remain unbanked or underbanked, unable to access essential financial tools

Bridging the Financial Inclusion Gap

Financial inclusion remains a pressing challenge in Southeast Asia. Over 290 million adults in the region do not have access to formal banking services. Many of these individuals live in rural areas, work as migrant labourers, or participate in the gig economy, making traditional banking inconvenient or inaccessible.

To tackle this, Hitachi has developed solutions that simplify financial transactions while maintaining high standards of security and efficiency. These initiatives aim to reduce barriers to financial participation and provide people with tools that improve their economic well-being.

As shared by Lourdes Yap, Senior Director, Business Opportunity and Strategic Group of Hitachi Asia (Philippines)

"At Hitachi, we see digital finance as more than technology. It's about enabling smarter, safer and more connected banking."

This perspective underpins Hitachi’s approach to building inclusive digital finance ecosystems across the region.

Transforming Corporate Banking in the Philippines

One example of Hitachi’s impact is its collaboration with CTBC Bank Philippines to revamp its Corporate NETBanking Web Portal. This project was designed to provide real-time access to deposit accounts, loan balances, and transaction histories for both SMEs and large corporations.

The upgraded portal supports multiple payment channels, including local options like InstaPay, ACH (PESONet), and RTGS, as well as international transfers via SWIFT. Businesses can now perform bulk payments, manage payroll efficiently, and implement flexible multi-level approval workflows that suit their operational structures, among others. Enhanced security features, such as corporate administration, two-factor authentication (2FA) and real-time transaction notifications, provide peace of mind to corporate users.

Mary Hope Jaurigue, Senior Manager, Business Opportunity and Strategic Group at Hitachi Asia (Philippines), shared:

“We supported the bank's digital transformation by deploying retail and corporate web portals, a mobile banking application and a fraud management solution.”

Through this collaboration, Hitachi demonstrates that digital transformation in banking can streamline operations, improve transparency, and make financial management more accessible and reliable for companies of all sizes.

“This new platform is more than a tool – it’s a strategic enabler for businesses to manage their finances with ease, efficiency, and confidence,” said Luis S. Elizaga, President and CEO of CTBC Bank Philippines.

“Following the success of our retail app revamp, this collaboration with Hitachi Asia demonstrates our continued commitment to innovation, ensuring both our consumer and corporate clients have access to cutting-edge digital banking solutions.”

In addition to corporate banking, Hitachi has also supported CTBC Bank Philippines’ broader digital banking capabilities, including retail‑facing platforms and mobile applications, helping enhance customer experience and enable secure, real‑time transactions across channels.

Empowering the Unbanked Through Cash Recycling Machines

While corporate banking addresses institutional needs, Hitachi also focuses on individuals who are excluded from traditional financial systems. In the Philippines, Hitachi partnered with Seven Bank to deploy Cash Recycling Machines (CRMs) in 7‑Eleven stores, creating a network of accessible cash-transaction points.

These CRMs allow users to deposit money at one location and withdraw it at another, making remittances faster, safer, and more convenient for migrant workers and families across Metro Manila and nearby cities. By the end of 2021, over 1,200 CRMs were installed, with plans for further expansion.

Hitachi’s CRM initiative demonstrates how technology can bridge the “last mile” in financial services, particularly for underserved populations. By combining digital verification with physical accessibility, Hitachi ensures that financial inclusion is not just theoretical but practical, directly impacting the daily lives of millions.

Promoting Digital Financial Inclusion Across Southeast Asia

At the core of Hitachi Digital Solutions is a philosophy of social innovation—technology that improves quality of life. Whether through corporate banking upgrades, cash recycling networks, or regional digital finance platforms, Hitachi’s projects demonstrate that financial inclusion is both a business and a social priority.

“In today’s financial landscape, ensuring secure and seamless access to banking services is non-negotiable,” said Lourdes Yap, Senior Director, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, Hitachi Asia (Philippines). At Hitachi, we are committed to leveraging technology to enhance access to financial services and contribute to societal progress.

By making digital finance more accessible, Hitachi empowers individuals to save, invest, and manage their money securely, helping to reduce inequalities and enhance economic mobility. These solutions also support small businesses, enabling entrepreneurs to streamline operations, access credit, and participate in the digital economy.

A Future of Inclusive Digital Finance

As Southeast Asia continues to embrace digital transformation, Hitachi Digital Solutions is pioneering a more inclusive and equitable financial landscape. By combining cutting-edge technology with practical implementation, Hitachi ensures that the benefits of digital finance are available to everyone, from corporate clients to millions previously excluded from formal banking systems.

Through partnerships with banks, fintech companies, and retail networks, Hitachi is proving that technology can be a force for social good, driving economic growth, financial literacy, and accessibility across the region. The vision is clear: a Southeast Asia where digital finance is not a privilege, but a foundation for participation, opportunity, and long-term progress as we define what’s next.

Date of Release: May 2026