BanKo-on-the-Go, bringing banking closer to Filipinos

BanKo-on-the-Go visits Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market. Photo shows (L-R) BanKo Head of Agency Distribution and Partnership Gabby Posadas; Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Vendors President - Chicken Section Renato De Guzman; Pasig City Councilor Simon Romulo Tantoco; Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Vendors President - Food Court Section Cecilia Valencia; Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Vendors President - Buko Section Elizabeth Belarmino; Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Vendors Federation, Inc. President Lucila Damasco; BanKo Business Head of Financial Inclusion and Microfinance Solutions Rod Mabiasen; Mutya ng Pasig Mega Market Administrator Joey Molina; and BanKo Head of Client Solutions Anne delos Reyes.

BPI Direct BanKo Inc., A Savings Bank (BanKo), the microfinance arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), is rolling out 10 BanKo-on-the-Go (BOTG), roving vehicles that will bring banking services closer to communities where access to easy and affordable banking is limited.

This is part of BanKo’s mission to promote financial inclusion by providing access to easy, convenient, and affordable products and services to self-employed microentrepreneurs (SEMEs), informal workers, and salaried individuals.

“Our vision at BPI and BanKo is to build a better Philippines–one family, one community at a time–and this is embodied in each and every financial service we offer to a wide range of customers,” said BanKo Chair Jojo Ocampo.

“At the heart of fulfilling this vision is our advocacy for financial inclusion. We envision that all Filipinos will be able to access our services without feeling intimidated to do banking,” she added.

BanKo Day

BOTG recently kicked-off its first run and visited public markets in Metro Manila and Rizal province specifically in Taytay, Malabon, Pasig, Antipolo, Commonwealth, and Dagonoy. To make banking transactions even more convenient to both vendors and marketgoers alike, BOTG will visit these six public markets every week, making it a “BanKo Day” for that community.

BOTG will soon be deployed in 9 other locations across the country, visiting six different markets per location for a total of 60 areas by year-end.

“We are bringing banking services directly to the communities, reassuring them of Banko’s consistent and dedicated service so that they do not have to go out of their way to build their savings or to avail of a loan to expand their business. We will be right where they are as part of our vision to be the trusted financial partner of the masang Pilipino, maaasahan, malalapitan, at nagtitiwala sa kakayahan nilang umasenso,” said Ocampo. 

BanKoMares and BankoPares provide personalized service by assisting clients in every step of the account opening to make them part of the financial ecosystem. For loans, BanKo offers them more affordable loans to with simple requirements. They also offer financial consultations and literacy sessions to help them achieve financial wellness. 

BanKo-on-the-Go will also offer valuable financial consultations and literacy sessions to address clients' needs. Those who will seek advice and information about BanKo's services and solutions can benefit from these sessions, regardless of their immediate loan or deposit intentions.

“We are strongly committed to our mandate of providing a financially inclusive, accessible and affordable banking experience to more Filipinos. BOTG will be right where they are so they can finally open their first bank account, enabling them to regularly save their hard-earned money and build their savings. Our BanKoMares and BanKoPares will guide them in taking the first step to achieve their financial goals to help them secure a better future,” said Rod Mabiasen, BanKo Business Head of Financial Inclusion and Microfinance Solutions.

In visiting the Pasig Mega Market, BOTG was welcomed by Pasig Councilor Simon Tantoco and the officers of the Pasig Mega Market Vendors Federation. 

“We thank BanKo dahil sa dami ng lugar na puwedeng gawin ito, ang Pasig Mega Market po ang napili,” said Pasig City Councilor Simon Romulo Tantoco. “BanKo’s products and services can benefit our vendors and marketgoers as they are given other options for their financial needs. This partnership between Pasig City and BanKo can really help Pasigueños – whether they are applying for loans or opening a bank account,” he added.

For the coming months, BOTG will be present in the public markets of Pampanga, Bulacan, Quezon Province, Pangasinan, Laguna, Cebu, Dumaguete, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Customers who visit BOTG and open an account or apply for a loan will win exciting prizes.

To date, BanKo has over 300 branches in 75 provinces. Since 2016, it has supported over 290,000 self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, informal workers, and the unbanked and underbanked segment through over Php 40 Bn cumulative microfinance loans.