Digital payments processor Visa, Metrobank Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank), and fintech DealMe are piloting a cross-border card installment service that allows Filipino travelers to split purchases abroad into manageable payments using their existing credit cards.
The pilot introduces Visa Installment Service (VIS), a buy now, pay later (BNPL) option that enables eligible Metrobank Visa cardholders convert purchases into installments instantly at checkout. The service is currently live in South Korea and works in both e-commerce and physical retail stores.
The program is designed for Filipino travelers visiting South Korea, one of the top overseas destinations for Filipinos alongside Japan and Hong Kong. The service aims to make cross-border payments easier to manage by allowing customers to spread the cost of purchases over time instead of paying the full amount upfront.
“We are continuously improving how our customers experience banking, including how they manage spending when they travel. Our partnership with Visa allows Metrobank Visa cardholders to convert eligible purchases in South Korea into manageable installments, giving them greater flexibility and control while enjoying the convenience, security, and trust they expect from their bank,” said Gail Male, head of credit cards, personal loans and digital channels group at Metrobank.
Data from South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International and Cultural Exchange show Filipinos consume an average of 24 hours of Korean cultural content each month, the highest among 28 surveyed countries.
“With Visa Installment Service, we’re giving Filipino travelers more flexible and predictable ways to manage their spending overseas,” said Jeffrey Navarro, country manager for the Philippines at Visa.
“This collaboration connects Filipino travelers to a broader selection of lifestyle and medical merchants in South Korea,” Kim Tae Hong, SVP of DealMe, said.
Under the pilot, eligible Metrobank Visa cardholders can access interest-free installment payments at select beauty and wellness merchants in South Korea. Participating establishments include Laprin Clinic, Hershe Plastic Surgery, Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic, Lienjang Dental Clinic, and Le Dental Clinic.