Maya Black redefines the credit card in the Philippines

Maya, the Philippines’ leading fintech ecosystem and #1 digital bank, is taking another bold move with the rollout of the Maya Black Credit Card (Maya Black). Designed for mobile-first consumers and powered by Maya’s proprietary data and AI-driven credit models, Maya Black signals a pivotal shift in the credit card market in the Philippines.  

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This black-tier, premium credit card uses Maya’s tech-driven platform to expand access to credit for more Filipinos—especially those without traditional credit histories. Available through the Maya app, it offers fast approval, instant virtual card issuance with the sleek physical card delivered soon after, and full in-app control—challenging the idea that black-tier credit should be limited to high earners with long credit records.  

“Credit cards have long symbolized financial freedom and status—but for most Filipinos, they’ve remained out of reach. With Maya Black, we’re making the most desirable card in the market—and democratizing access to it,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder. “This is a bold step in reshaping credit access—and a major leap in Maya’s journey as the leading provider of full suite of financial products.”  

Credit reimagined for a digital-first generation  

Maya Black offers a fundamentally different approach. Leveraging Maya’s proprietary transactional data and other alternative data sources, Maya’s AI-driven credit scoring model can assess and approve users whom traditional banks often overlook. Applicants without credit history can also opt into a secured card pathway—fully integrated into the app, with no paperwork or reapplication.  

From application to approval, issuance to support—the entire process is digital. Spend tracking, billing, and support are managed entirely in-app.  

Users receive a virtual card instantly, followed by the first-of-its-kind, numberless card in the Philippines. All card details are stored securely in-app, where users can also freeze or replace their card in real time.  

“We designed Maya Black for a generation that expects instant, mobile-first banking. This isn’t the usual credit card—it’s a re-engineered experience,” said Angelo Madrid, Maya Bank President.  

Maya Black delivers a full suite of premium-grade benefits from day one:  

• Earn Maya Miles on every transaction, tracked in real time. Miles can be spent as currency across Maya’s merchant network, converted into airline miles like Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles, and redeemed for other travel rewards—all within the app.  
•  3,000 bonus miles upon physical card activation and a ₱5,000 spend within 60 days  
• Access to airport lounges via DragonPass, including PAGSS and Marhaba lounges in NAIA.   
• Accepted at over 130 million merchants worldwide via Visa  
• Advanced security, with card numbers only visible via the app and freeze/replace features  

Rising demand, limited access  

Credit card interest is surging. Credit cards now represent 38% of financial product search interest, according to Google Philippines.   

Yet, access remains limited. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey reported that 56% of Filipino adults find it difficult to qualify, and as of Q4 2023, only 15% hold a credit card, based on TransUnion data. While outstanding credit card base grew from 9.3 million to 11.2 million cards year-over-year—a 20% increase—penetration remains low in a country of over 70 million adults.  

Maya Black directly addresses this gap, removing legacy barriers while scaling AI-powered credit across Maya’s rapidly growing Millennial and Gen Z base. The rollout follows the success of the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, with close to 200,000 cards issued to date.