The Palawan Group of Companies closed 2025, its 40th year of operations, with multiple industry awards recognizing its work in pawning, remittance, digital payments, microinsurance, and business services.
“We are proud of these recognitions, but our work doesn’t stop here,” said Karlo Castro, president and CEO of Palawan Group. “They inspire us to push further, strengthen our commitment to service, and continue raising the bar for innovation.
Palawan Pawnshop was named Best Pawning Company at the 12th International Finance Awards 2024. The company cited fair appraisal, lower interest rates, and fast processing as key factors behind the recognition. Its digital services, including online pawn renewal and gold sales through PalawanPay, also received a Bronze Stevie Award for Innovation in Digital Transformation in Financial Services.
Palawan Express Pera Padala received awards for service and technology use, supported by its network of more than 10,000 branches nationwide. It earned a Silver Stevie Award for Innovation in the Use of Technology in Customer Service and was also recognized as Most Innovative Remittance Company at the International Finance Awards.
PalawanPay, the group’s digital wallet, serves over 20 million users. The platform allows users to pay bills, buy mobile load, renew pawn items, purchase jewelry, and access microinsurance. It was named Most Innovative E-Wallet at the International Finance Awards and received several recognitions at regional marketing and technology award events.
ProtekTODO, the group’s microinsurance unit, earned a Bronze Stevie Award for Innovation in Brand Development. The product focuses on affordable and easy-to-understand health coverage.
Palawan For Business, the company’s business-to-business arm, received a Silver Award for Most Innovative B2B Campaign at the NEXT Awards Asia-Pacific 2025 for its work with government agencies on payout services in underserved areas.
“As we move into 2026, we will keep improving our services and expanding our reach to ensure every Filipino can access reliable and meaningful financial solutions,” Castro said. “The Palawan Group has always been and will always be about serbisyo para sa Pilipino (service to the Filipinos).”