Public school teacher Medien Pineda knew they would need another source of income when her seafaring husband decided to come home permanently in 2017. After studying the market, they found their most lucrative option was to operate a van transporting passengers from their municipality of Atimonan in Quezon to Lucena City – the provincial capital about 40 kilometers away.

Considering the cost of a brand-new vehicle, they were initially willing to settle for a second-hand van. Coincidentally, Medien heard about Bayanihan Bank - then still called the Rural Bank of Atimonan - and inquired about their auto loans. To her surprise, the bank’s process was straightforward, hassle-free, and required no ‘cash out’ or immediate out-of-pocket payment.

It was a stark contrast from other banks she had inquired with, where the process could take several months to complete. Just three days after submitting the requirements for a five-year auto loan using their home as collateral, Medien and her husband picked up their brand-new van.

They started their transport service, with Mr. Pineda driving their van to and from Atimonan. Business was good, and they were able to make their monthly payments using only the proceeds from their operations. But come 2020, Covid 19 struck, and their livelihood was heavily affected by the lockdown. Despite securing a license to operate their van during the quarantine, there came a point when they feared forfeiting their loan.

Determined to find a solution, Medien met with the bank to negotiate their terms of repayment. The bank not only gave her a 2-year extension, but also lowered their mortgage fee. Medien, who was three years into the loan, welcomed the new terms. She was about to sign the new agreement when another blessing came – an exclusive contract for the Pinedas to provide transport services to Japanese expatriates working in the area.

Although they ultimately did not need the loan restructuring, the bank’s trust – especially in their time of need – left a lasting impression.

By 2025, Medien and her husband were ready to grow their business. They took out their second auto loan from Bayanihan Bank, this time to purchase a premium, high-roof vehicle to meet the rising demand for luxury transport. At first, Medien was unsure whether she would be approved for a vehicle worth over PHP 2 million. But in a matter of weeks, the bank had processed her loan, even adjusting her monthly payments to an amount that would be more comfortable for her family. Once again, Medien was overwhelmed by the bank’s trust in her.

With two vans now in operation, the Pinedas have hired another driver - creating livelihood for another family in their community. Reflecting on the bank’s advocacy of bayanihan, Medien is proud to be paying it forward. In her words, “Kung ano yung nagawa ng Bayanihan Bank for us, as their clients, na-multiply ‘yun, kahit in a small way. Nung nakakuha kami ng isa pang sasakyan, nakatulong kami sa isa pang pamilya kasi nakapagpa-drive kami sa iba. Nakapagbigay kami ng isa pang hanapbuhay.”