Consul General Neil Ferrer Meets AI Fintech Startup Plentina CEO
SAN FRANCISCO, 15 September 2023 – Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer received AI and fintech startup Plentina CEO and co-founder Kevin Gabayan at the Philippine Consulate General.
Plentina co-founder and Executive Member of the Philippine National Innovation Council Earl Martin Valencia also joined the meeting remotely.
Consul General Ferrer, Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano, Consul Jed Martin A. Llona, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, and Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug listened to Gabayan as he presented an early look at the Plentina Wealth “roboadvisor” service for global Filipinos.
Consul General Ferrer welcomed Plentina’s new fintech service called Plentina Wealth that is artificial intelligence-enabled. “We look forward to technological advancements, such as those made by Plentina, which have the potential to empower and bring prosperity to many Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad,” Consul General Ferrer said.
Gabayan mentioned that Plentina Wealth, the platform they recently launched, provides an automated wealth advisory service registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He added that it is tailored specifically for immigrants and global diasporas.
“We see this as a unique opportunity for overseas Filipinos who have physical access to even greater resources, which can help them build more wealth and remit more money to the Philippines. These funds are intended for longer-term goals, such as saving for a housing down payment or covering their children’s college tuition, which may be years away and can benefit from long-term investments,” said Gabayan.
According to Gabayan and Valencia, they have a strong passion for serving the Philippines. At the height of the pandemic, they established the “buy now pay later” fintech Plentina, which has been in partnership with the country’s largest retail store Philippine Seven Corporation, operator of 7-Eleven in the country. Plentina is present in the Philippines and in Vietnam. END
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer with Plentina co-founder and CEO Kevin Gabayan
R-L: Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano, Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug, Plentina co-founder and CEO Kevin Gabayan, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, and Consul Jed Martin Llona.