I didn’t expect to walk away from a pawnshop industry event with this much insight — and, honestly, respect.
Last May 24, I joined UNAWA’s COO, Atty. Gino Jacinto, at the CPPI Mid-Year Conference in Ortigas. While he was there to speak at the breakout session on anti-money laundering compliance, I was mostly there to assist — quietly take notes, manage materials, and field questions when needed. But from the moment we walked into the ballroom at Crowne Plaza, it was clear: this wasn’t just another compliance seminar.
It was a room full of operators, decision-makers, and everyday professionals who live and breathe the realities of regulation. People who wanted answers — not just theories.
They’re Not Just Checking Boxes
During the AML breakout session, you could feel the urgency. These weren’t passive attendees waiting for a lecture. They had real concerns: Why are audits getting tighter? What happens if our online renewal fails? How do we make sure we’re actually audit-ready?
We introduced UCheck as a way to help — not as a silver bullet, but as a practical AML compliance tool for pawnshops that want to get things right the first time. What I appreciated most was how open they were to asking questions. Many of them already knew the rules. They just wanted to understand how to keep up.
That kind of honesty is rare in compliance talks. But here, it felt normal.
An Industry That Has Each Other’s Back
Later in the morning, CPPI and UNAWA signed a formal agreement. While it was an agreement between UNAWA and PJ Lhuillier, CPPI took the step to endorse UCheck to all members — a strong signal that the industry wants to support its own.
Endorsement doesn’t mean pressure. It means guidance. It tells members: Here’s a tool that works. We use it. You can, too.
And from what I saw, that sense of community — of pulling each other forward — was the real highlight of the day.
This Is What Digital Compliance Looks Like
If there’s anything I took away from the CPPI event, it’s this: digital compliance isn’t just a trend. It’s an expectation. Tools like UCheck aren’t “nice to have” anymore — they’re part of how modern businesses protect their reputation, their teams, and their customers.
But more than that, I was reminded that behind every compliance tool is a person trying to do their job well. Whether they’re a branch manager juggling renewal deadlines or a compliance officer preparing for an audit, they need tools that meet them halfway.
That’s what UCheck is designed to do. And it’s why I’m glad I got to be in that room.
