Banking on the go: Financial services drive closer to communities
On a quiet stretch of pavement in Naga City, a bus rolled in, carrying more than just wheels and windows—it carried banking access.
As the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) marks its 175th year, it chose to celebrate not with fanfare in boardrooms, but by meeting people where they are. Southeast Asia’s oldest bank launched its BPI On-The-Move mobile banking unit to bring essential financial services straight to communities.
The initiative underscores BPI’s long-standing commitment to “building a better Philippines” by making banking more accessible, relevant and seamlessly embedded into everyday life—particularly for underserved and unbanked Filipinos.
At the center of this effort is BPI On-The-Move, a mobile office designed to bring banking beyond brick-and-mortar branches and directly into local communities.
Launched in Naga City, Camarines Sur, on Jan. 26, the sustainably made, fully equipped mobile banking unit—housed in a dedicated bus—functions as a one-stop financial hub. Inside, residents and small business owners can open digital and regular savings accounts, or register for BPI’s e-wallet VYBE. They can also apply for various card, insurance and loan products without having to travel far or navigate complex processes.
“Our BPI On-The-Move bus is a one-stop shop for all these needs. We’ve simplified the processes and lowered the barriers so that you can begin your financial journey with total confidence,” says Maria Cristina Go, BPI’s head of consumer banking.
The program is closely aligned with the financial inclusion framework of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, focusing on both the underserved—those whose financial needs are not fully met despite having access to banking—and the unbanked, who remain outside the formal financial system.
By bringing services on the ground, BPI hopes to bridge long-standing gaps in access and participation.
Beyond transactions, financial education also takes center stage. Through its microfinance arm BanKo, BPI is conducting financial wellness sessions for local government unit employees in Naga City, equipping them with practical tools and knowledge for effective money management.
Go acknowledges the role of local leaders in advancing inclusive growth, thanking Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and local government unit officials for their partnership.
“You are at the front lines of community service and we recognize that your leadership is the key to our shared aspiration: making lives better through genuine economic progress,” she says.
As BPI moves through 2026, the bank plans to expand BPI On-The-Move to more local governments and communities nationwide, scaling up targeted financial education programs and strengthening on-ground engagement.
“Ultimately, everything we do is driven by BPI’s vision of building a better Philippines, one family and one community at a time,” Go adds.
Founded in 1851, BPI provides a wide range of financial services, from deposit-taking and payments to lending, asset management, investment banking and foreign exchange.
