ING, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Office of Innovation, announced that it will pilot a global program in the Philippines to jointly identify and invest in fintech startups that are building solutions with the potential to help disadvantaged youth and families in the country. New digital financial tools – if designed responsibly and with attention to the specific needs of these users – offer the potential to help build economic security, encourage more equitable access to services, and lift the financial barriers to opportunities for improving their lives.

The Philippines has enjoyed rapid economic growth in recent years; however, the benefits of this growth have not been shared equally; significant disparities remain.