Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, plans to double the number of clients using online channels in the next five years.
BPI Retail Banking head Joey Gotuaco said Tuesday the bank was enhancing its network to support an increasing demand for efficient and convenient automated banking channels complementing its traditional branches.
Gotuaco said the move was part of BPI’s overall digitalization journey and push for financial inclusion, as banking on ATMs, mobile devices and desktop computers provided a secure, reliable and convenient banking experience.
“Many of the transactions done in the branches can be done through our various electronic channels. While our branches are still very much accessible, electronic channels are 24/7 in nature and are key drivers in helping people bank from the comfort of their homes, offices, or cars,” Gotuaco said.
“By extending our services to people in a cost-efficient way, we help transform our society into a more financially inclusive one, on par with global banking standards,” said Gotuaco.
He said around 36 percent of BPI’s clients used its online facility and mobile app. BPI aims to double this percentage in the next five years.
“Electronic banking is fast becoming a standard in the Philippines, as it is globally. We want our clients to experience the same level of service through our electronic channels, which include our online facility, mobile app, and over 3,000 ATMs and CAMs (Cash Accept Machines). They are just as safe and reliable as our traditional branches,” he said.
With BPI ATMs, clients can easily perform cash withdrawals, account balance inquiries, bills payments, online banking and mobile banking enrollments, activations and PIN changes, all at their own convenience.
BPI posted an almost flat net income of P6.25 billion in the first quarter of 2018 from a year ago, partly due to lower trading gains.
Total revenues rose 2.7 percent to P18.45 billion on year while net interest income grew 8.9 percent to P12.51 billion due to the expansion of the average asset base.