MANILA, Philippines — Visa has partnered with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) and fintech startup DealMe to pilot a cross-border installment payment solution designed specifically for Filipino travelers in South Korea.
The Visa Installment Service (VIS) pilot allows eligible Metrobank Visa cardholders to split purchases into zero-interest installment payments at the point of sale, bypassing the need to apply for new loans or open separate “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) accounts.
The service, which works across both e-commerce and physical retail environments, aims to make cross-border transactions simpler and more predictable for tourists.
For the initial rollout, the pilot targets South Korea’s booming beauty and wellness tourism sector. Eligible cardholders can utilize the interest-free installment plans at select merchants, including Laprin Clinic, Hershe Plastic Surgery, Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic, Lienjang Dental Clinic, and Le Dental Clinic.
South Korea currently ranks among the top three overseas destinations for Filipinos, alongside Japan and Hong Kong. The surge in tourism is heavily driven by the “Hallyu” wave; according to data from South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Filipinos consume an average of 24 hours of Korean cultural content monthly—the highest among 28 surveyed countries.
“With Visa Installment Service, we’re giving Filipino travelers more flexible and predictable ways to manage their spending overseas by enabling installment payments on a Visa card they already use and trust,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Visa country manager for the Philippines.
Gail Male, head of Credit Cards, Personal Loans, and Digital Channels Group at Metrobank, emphasized the added financial control the service provides.
“Our partnership with Visa allows Metrobank Visa cardholders to convert eligible purchases in South Korea into manageable installments, giving them greater flexibility and control while enjoying the convenience, security, and trust they expect from their bank,” Male said.
DealMe, a South Korean fintech firm established in 2022 with technology investments from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), provides the backend technology processing the cross-border installments.
“This collaboration connects Filipino travelers to a broader selection of lifestyle and medical merchants in South Korea,” said Kim Tae Hong, senior vice president of DealMe. “Together with Visa and Metrobank, we will continue expanding merchant coverage to support Filipinos traveling overseas.”
The VIS pilot aligns with a broader shift toward digital and cashless payments across the Asia-Pacific region, providing consumers with flexible payment options while helping merchants adapt to evolving spending habits.
