Everything you need to know about how to apply for a corporate credit card in the Philippines – complete document requirements, processing times, and annual fees for BPI, Metrobank, BDO, UnionBank, and Security Bank. Based on direct bank inquiries, May 2026.
What is a corporate credit card and who can apply?
A corporate credit card is a card issued under a company's name, with a revolving credit line assessed against the business's financial standing, not any individual's personal income. It's used to separate business expenses, set employee spending limits, and consolidate billing under one company account.
In the Philippines, corporate credit cards are available to registered legal entities through bank institutional or business banking arms. They are not the same as personal business credit cards and cannot be applied for through retail branches or standard online portals.
How long does a corporate credit card application take in the Philippines?
Processing times across major Philippine banks range from 10 to 20+ banking days from the date of complete document submission. This does not include card printing and physical delivery, which typically adds another 5 to 12 banking days.
Timelines reset if documents are incomplete. The most common cause of delays is missing or unstamped Audited Financial Statements; prepare these before initiating your application.
Corporate credit card requirements in the Philippines (by bank)
Each bank has its own application checklist. Below are the full requirements as confirmed through direct inquiries in May 2026. Note that an existing account with the bank is needed along with the listed requirements below.
Documents required for a corporate credit card application in the Philippines (across all banks)
Regardless of which bank you apply to, these six documents form the core of every corporate credit card application in the Philippines.
- Audited Financial Statements (AFS):
2 to 3 years, BIR-stamped. - General Information Sheet (GIS):
Current year, listing officers, directors, and shareholders. - Secretary's Certificate or Board Resolution:
Notarized, authorizing the corporate card program and designating signatories. - Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws:
SEC-registered founding documents of your company. - Valid government-issued IDs:
Of all authorized signatories and designated cardholders. Non-Filipinos need an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR). - Latest company Income Tax Return (ITR):
BIR-stamped, company-level.
Tips for a successful corporate credit card application in the Philippines
- Apply with your existing bank first. Banks process applications faster from existing account holders.
- Have your AFS BIR-stamped and ready before you call. This is the single most common cause of delays.
- Notarize your Board Resolution before you begin. Notarization takes time. Build it into your timeline in advance.
- Ask specifically for the corporate or institutional banking team. Retail branches and general hotlines add delays.
- Confirm the current document checklist directly with your Relationship Manager. Requirements do change. The list your RM provides in person is the most reliable.
Managing business expenses while your corporate card application is in progress
A corporate credit card is one piece of how a business manages spending but it isn't the only piece, and for many businesses it isn't the first one either. The 10 to 20+ banking day timeline, combined with the financial history requirements, means most growing businesses will go through a period where they need to manage operational expenses without a corporate card in place.
This is where having the right financial infrastructure already set up matters. Businesses that handle expenses cleanly during the application process, with clear records of transactions, vendor payments, and team spending, also tend to have an easier time presenting their financials to banks when the time comes.
A few things worth having in place while you wait:
- A dedicated business wallet or account for operational transactions. Mixing personal and business transactions is one of the most common reasons SME financials look messy to a bank. Keeping operational spending (vendor payments, subscriptions, tools, supplies) in a separate account makes your AFS cleaner and your credit application stronger. The PayMongo wallet lets businesses collect, hold, and disburse funds in one place, with full transaction visibility useful both for day-to-day operations and for building the kind of clean financial record that supports a future corporate card application.
- Per-person spending visibility. One of the main reasons businesses apply for corporate cards is to stop employees from pooling expenses on one card or submitting manual reimbursements. Before a corporate card is in place, setting clear per-person budgets and tracking them through a centralized tool keeps operations tight and prepares your team for the discipline a corporate card program requires.
- Documented vendor and supplier relationships. Security Bank specifically asks for a list of customers and suppliers as part of its corporate card application. Businesses that already maintain this are better positioned when the time comes to apply.
Not eligible for a corporate card yet? You can still manage business transactions through the PayMongo wallet audited financials or banking history required.
Frequently asked questions about corporate credit cards in the Philippines
How long does a corporate credit card application take in the Philippines?
Processing times range from 10 to 20+ banking days from submission of complete documents. BDO and Security Bank are the fastest at 10–20 banking days. BPI, Metrobank, and UnionBank take up to or at least 20 banking days. Physical card delivery adds 5–12 banking days.
Can a new or startup company apply for a corporate credit card in the Philippines?
Generally, no. Most banks require 2–3 years of Audited Financial Statements. Security Bank explicitly requires 3 years of profitable operations. Companies under two years old will typically not meet the financial history requirements of any major bank's corporate card program.
What is the annual fee for a corporate credit card in the Philippines?
Annual fees range from ₱1,500 to ₱2,500 per principal card. BPI charges ₱1,700 (first year free), UnionBank ₱1,500 (first year free), Security Bank ₱2,000 (first year free). Metrobank's fee depends on credit approval. BDO confirmed no annual fee.
Do I need an existing bank account to apply for a corporate credit card in the Philippines?
Most banks strongly prefer or require an existing banking relationship. Security Bank requires a minimum balance of ₱750,000. Having an existing account generally speeds up the credit assessment process.
PayMongo is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).