Yes, there is a Welcome Bank in the Philippines.
It's a rural bank licensed by the BSP. It has been operating since February 2000.
It was previously named Smart Bank (Rural Bank) Inc. It changed its name to Welcome Bank (Rural Bank) Inc. in 2019 after it was acquired by South Korean financial company Welcome Financial Group in August 2019.
Welcome Bank opened its Pasig City branch on October 1, 2020 at:
Ground Floor, I-Square Bldg.
15 Meralco Avenue,Pasig City
The other branch is in Alabang:
Ground Floor Westgate Tower
1708 Investment Drive, Madrigal Business Center
Alabang, Muntinlupa City 1780
Phone: (02) 842-4074
Fax: (02) 842-4079
Emails: apol.perez@gmail.com; daintylalah@yahoo.com; info@smartbank.ph
What is Welcome Financial Group, the owner of Welcome Bank in the Philippines?
Welcome Financial Group owns Welcome Savings Bank, the 4th biggest savings bank in South Korea by total assets. It also owns Welcome Finance Inc. (Philippines), the first overseas company it established. It launched it in May 2014. It also opened financial businesses in other Asian countries:
Welcome Leasing in Laos
Pacific Star Finance Ltd. in Myanmar
I'm a bit curious and at the same time happy that on its introduction post on Facebook, Welcome Bank included this verse:
"Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be." -- Job 8:7
Well, for a business that just started in 2002 in the Philippines, and to now, as of September 2020, has total assets of $3.6 billion, we can say that's a true journey from humility to prosperity.
Deposit and Loan Products offered by Welcome Bank
Are Welcome Bank's Deposit Accounts Insured by the PDIC?
Plan to Become a Thrift Bank
About Smart Bank:
Smart Bank's tagline was The Modern Rural Bank. The last financial condition shown on its website smartbank.ph was its total resources, which was 36.53 million pesos as of December 31, 2012. It stated that its capital adequacy ratio as of that date was 63%, which was much higher than the Basle II-required ratio of 10%.
Its chairman of the board was Benjamin J. Yambao, former President and CEO of The Manila Banking Corporation, and its president was Lucila C. Jimenez, former vice president and head of comptrollership of The Manila Banking Corporation. One of the directors was Angelita G. Yambao, former president of Business Outsourcing Solutions and Services Inc.
References:
BSP Circular Letter No. CL-2020-044 -- Smart Bank (Rural Bank) Inc. - Change of Corporate Name to Welcome Bank (Rural Bank) Inc., issued September 16, 2020
https://welcomefinanceph.com/welcomegroup-infomation
Top Rural Banks in the Philippines (banksphilippines.com)
Accredited Banks for Receiving SSS Pension and other SSS Benefits