Manama, 23rd April 2012: Bahrain Financing Company (BFC), the Kingdom's oldest and most reputed money transfer and foreign exchange group, has today announced the launch of its partnership with Ventaja to provide its Filipino customers with the ability to make payments for SSS, Pag-ibig and PhilHealth through their payment portal.

Through this partnership Filipino customers can come to BFC to make their payments for all three services which will be posted on their accounts in a maximum of 5 days and can be checked by members using their individual login details. Making payments at BFC through Ventaja will erase the need to complete forms for every payment, as well as ensure that all payments are validated and that no payments overlap.  BFC has also ensured that the service charge to their customers is kept to a minimum with rates starting at BD1 only.

Commenting on the partnership with Ventaja, BFC General Manager Errol Fonseca said, "The launch of this service places BFC at the forefront of the remittance business providing services which relate back to our core values - trust, care and efficiency".   

Bobby Calimoso, BFC Philippine Business Development Officer further elaborated, "At BFC we understand the difficulties customers face being away from their home countries and strive to make their lives easier and more convenient through our services.  The Ventaja service will do just this and customers can have the peace of mind that their payments will be made on time every time."

BFC has considered the integrity and reliability of this online payment service, receiving excellent endorsements from Attorney Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, Chief Executive Officer of Pag-ibig commented on the launch, "This service provides us with a greater and more efficient way of reaching our customers and providing them with the service they deserve. We welcome this collaboration and are sure that the Ventaja agreement with BFC will help expand the collection facility".

Furthermore Mr. Danny Q. Calape, Area Head for SSS Operations Riyadh-KSA, added "With this e-payment system, there will be an outright validation of payments.  SSS members' contribution payments will be posted to their records in just 3-5 working days.  This is a major breakthrough in BFC's continuing effort to provide better services to its Filipino clientele and shows SSS's genuine commitment to providing a faster and better service to their Filipino customers overseas."

The service tie up has also received great support from the local Philippine Embassy.

Consul, Raquel R. Solano, who commented, "I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to BFC on this occasion of launching its new remittance program for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Bahrain. This initiative helps bolster the efforts of the Philippine government to provide social security benefits and home development financing services to OFWs, as well as social health and medical insurance benefits to their dependents back home. BFC's one stop shop makes it convenient and accessible for all Filipino's in the Kingdom and we hope BFC will continue to engage in partnerships with Philippine government agencies to advance the interests of the Filipino community in Bahrain."

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For more information please visit the following websites: www.bfc.com.bh, www.philhealth.gov.ph, www.sss.gov.ph and www.pagibig.gov.ph

About BFC Group Holdings
BFC Group Holdings (BFC) is the holding company for Bahrain Financing Company, Bahrain Exchange Company (Kuwait) and EzRemit. BFC is a leading money transfer and foreign exchange group in the region, facilitating customers' lives with simple and hassle-free foreign exchange and remittance services. With an extensive global reach covering over 100 countries, BFC has a 90-year history of moving money smartly and efficiently; with the best rates available. Committed to providing reliability, trust and convenience, BFC is competitively positioned in the growing global market. BFC offers a vast array of retail products, including remittances, EzRemit, instant cash transfer worldwide, door to door delivery service, demand drafts, travellers cheques, gift delivery, courier services, foreign currency banknotes all supported by state-of-the-art systems. For more information visit www.bfc.com.bh

Issued on behalf of BFC Group Holdings by Hill+Knowlton Strategies

For press information contact:
Bayan Nasser or Sami Amin
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Tel: +973 1753 3532
Fax: +973 1753 3370
Email: Bayan.nasser@hkstrategies.com
Sami.amin@hkstrategies.com

© Press Release 2012