Global digital payments leader Visa has partnered with USSC Money Services, Inc. (UMSI) to roll out U Accept, a new solution that lets Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) take contactless card payments directly from eligible smartphones.
Powered by Visa Accept and built into UMSI’s entrepreneur-focused uGrow app, the tool removes the need for separate point-of-sale terminals. It is designed to lower common barriers to digital payment adoption, such as high upfront hardware costs and complicated sign-up procedures.
MSMEs make up over 99 percent of all businesses in the Philippines and account for 67 percent of total employment, yet many still cannot accept digital payments. Visa research shows 83 percent of small businesses saw higher sales after taking cards, and 41 percent reported customers spent more when paying digitally. Separately, 67 percent of those not yet accepting cards said they would do so with proper support.
Users can activate U Accept right inside the uGrow app to take contactless card payments and pay-by-link, with no extra equipment needed. The service includes Visa-standard security and transaction protections, plus digital receipts, transaction tracking, sales monitoring and inventory management tools. Funds are settled near-real time to users’ U Visa Prepaid Card.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor Mamerto E. Tangonan said the launch advances the country’s digital shift and financial inclusion goals. “This marks an important step towards democratizing digital payments acceptance, with more Filipino MSMEs set to benefit from improving access to payment innovations,” he noted.
Visa Philippines country manager Jeffrey Navarro called the partnership “a game-changer,” saying it brings secure, modern payment tools within easier reach of every entrepreneur. UMSI president and CEO Jose Xavier Gonzales added the upgrade turns uGrow into a stronger digital hub for small operators, while helping unbanked communities move toward cashless transactions.
This effort builds on the firms’ 2025 strategic alliance, which first introduced Visa Direct to improve fast, secure cross-border payment services across the country.
