Homegrown pawnshop chain steps up nationwide expansion

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebuana Lhuillier is gearing up to open more branches across the Philippines, responding to the increasing demand for quick money access and money transfer services.

Cebuana Lhuillier president and chief executive officer Jean Henri Lhuillier said the expansion plan is anchored on the company’s thrust in ensuring accessibility and convenience to its growing clients.

He said Cebuana Lhuillier is currently in the midst of branch expansion efforts to intensify its presence especially in rural areas where access to financial services is lacking.

To date, the company has already opened 40 more branches, including a stand-alone container van branch located in Kiblawan, a second-class municipality located in Davao del Sur.

The three-decade-old company’s commitment to financial accessibility and mobility does not end with the continuous push for expanded physical network, but also extends to its use of various digital channels.

In 2020, the company launched Cebuana-From-Home, a web-based platform which brings the full pawning experience right at the comfort of clients’ residences. The page allows users to pawn, renew, and redeem at their convenience.

Aside from the website, clients can also do their pawning transactions by typing “Cebuana from Home” in Cebuana Lhuillier’s Facebook Messenger and by also calling or texting the branch nearest them.

Cebuana Lhuillier continues to offer its clients up to 35 percent higher appraisal rate, giving more value and pawn proceeds for their pawned jewelry and gadgets.

“By providing our clients greater accessibility to our pawning service—whether through physical or online channels—while still ensuring that they get the best value for their pawned items highlights Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to grow and evolve based on the ever-evolving needs of the market,” Lhuillier added.

To further add excitement to the company’s push for its pawning service and to usher in the coming Christmas season, Cebuana Lhuillier recently launched the “Sangla Xpress to the Max,” a promo for new pawn and pawn renewal transactions. At stake is a brand-new motorcycle and cash prizes for lucky clients who will transact at any Cebuana Lhuillier branch nationwide or through Cebuana-from-Home. Promo runs until November 14, 2021.

Supplementing the “Sangla Xpress to the Max” promo are recently-launched promos for pawning and remittance transactions specifically customized, based on the company’s regional markets nationwide.

“Cebuana Lhuillier has always believed in its mission of financial inclusion – ensuring that every Filipino has consistent and reliable access to financial services, especially during times of need. The company has remained consistent with this promise in the last three decades, as reflected in our product offerings, service innovations, and constant efforts to increase our branches to reach many of our kababayans,” he noted.

The need for quick, easy, and reliable access to cash became more pronounced when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines in early 2020 and strict lockdowns were put in place, with pawnshops serving as a one-stop shop for easy loan and remittance transactions.

Cebuana Lhuillier understands the impact of its pawning product in the lives of many Filipinos. Since the beginning of the pandemic, all of its branches remained open to serve the long lines of clients waiting to transact at their doors—with many of its branch operations staff remaining committed to keeping their doors open regardless of the lockdown, Lhuillier added.