The Chamber of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines Inc. (CPPI) endorsed UNAWA’s UCheck as a preferred AML compliance tool for pawnshops during its 2025 Mid-Year Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on May 24th, Saturday. The announcement and contract signing was preceded by a breakout session led by Atty. Gino Carmine Jacinto, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of UNAWA, where he discussed compliance priorities for financial institutions after the Philippines exited the FATF gray list.
Atty. Jacinto addressed pawnshop operators eager to strengthen their anti-money laundering efforts. He provided updates on common registration issues with the AMLC, audit preparation tips, and the need to improve digital readiness. He also introduced UCheck to attendees as a digital compliance platform that simplifies name screening and risk detection.
The session drew strong interest from members who raised concerns about AML registration or renewal delays, audit demands, and confusion over new requirements. Many expressed a need for reliable tools that would help them avoid lapses in their internal controls. Overall, there is a collective intent to comply and protect their respective businesses from risks.
UCheck - an AML Compliance Tool for Pawnshops Endorsed by CPPI
One of the key outcomes of the event was the formal signing of a partnership agreement between UNAWA Inc. and the CPPI's. The CPPI endorsed UNAWA’s UCheck to its full membership. The endorsement does not impose mandatory adoption but recognizes UCheck as a recommended AML compliance tool for pawnshops nationwide.
CPPI President Jean Henri Lhuillier and Atty. Jacinto signed the agreement in the presence of members, making the endorsement official during the General Assembly segment of the conference. According to attendees, this marks the first time CPPI has publicly supported a tech-driven compliance platform for its members.
Why Pawnshops Need the Right AML Compliance Tool
Pawnshops face strict oversight under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), especially with heightened regulatory expectations following the Philippines' removal from the FATF gray list. CPPI members must now meet tighter deadlines, stricter monitoring, and more frequent audits.
UCheck, explicitly built for regulated institutions like pawnshops, addresses this by providing quick, accurate results across local and international sanctions databases. Its interface also simplifies documentation, improving the audit trail without the need for complex systems.
This makes UCheck a timely AML compliance tool for pawnshops, especially those with limited staff handling regulatory tasks. In his talk, Atty. Jacinto shared that UCheck can run up to 20,000 monthly checks per account. If exceeded, users can continue searches at a low additional cost. This scalability fits the needs of both small-town operations and nationwide chains.
With all the member pawnshops under CPPI's network, the endorsement strongly pushes consistent compliance. UCheck gives members access to a system that meets current standards while reducing manual processes that often result in errors.
A Unified Push Toward Digital Compliance
Aside from AML topics, the Mid-Year Conference featured leadership training under the BRAVE framework: Break barriers, Rise through disruption, Activate leadership, Visualize creativity, and Empower collaboration. Speaker Toni Miranda emphasized the need for organizations to rethink how they operate amid shifting business conditions.
This message aligned well with the goals of both the CPPI and UNAWA. The endorsement of a digital AML compliance tool for pawnshops reinforces the industry's movement toward modern, sustainable practices. CPPI's leadership signaled their intention to back tools that help members comply with regulations and manage risk more confidently.
By endorsing UCheck, the CPPI also set a precedent for industry-wide tech adoption. Several pawnshop owners expressed interest in exploring the platform, citing ease of use and pricing transparency as key benefits.
Looking Ahead: Support for CPPI Members
UNAWA is committed to supporting CPPI members who wish to explore UCheck for their compliance operations. Members may contact UNAWA directly for demos, onboarding, and tailored plans that suit their branch size and monthly check volume.
While the endorsement does not bind members to one provider, it gives them a strong starting point for evaluating digital AML options. With the regulatory environment constantly evolving, having a trusted AML compliance tool for pawnshops ensures institutions remain audit-ready and protected from sanctions.
As UNAWA continues to work with financial institutions, it emphasizes transparency, adaptability, and ease of integration. The CPPI's support gives this mission a broader reach, helping hundreds of pawnshops transition to more dependable compliance practices.
