BPI, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group formalize partnership to strengthen fight against financial cybercrimes

To address the growing impact of financial scams and online fraud on thousands of Filipinos and businesses nationwide, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) have formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reinforcing a shared commitment to consumer protection, cybersecurity, and community resilience.

For the public and communities, this partnership translates to faster detection and response to financial scams, stronger consumer education, and more effective law-enforcement action against cybercriminals. Through joint training and knowledge-sharing, PNP-ACG officers will be better equipped to identify, investigate, and respond to emerging fraud schemes, helping reduce the time it takes to assist victims and improve case outcomes.

A key component of the collaboration is BPI CyberAcademy, BPI’s capacity-building initiative designed to provide consistent knowledge and a unified language in addressing financial cybercrime. Through structured training sessions, BPI will help enhance the investigative and response capabilities of PNP-ACG personnel amid increasingly sophisticated digital financial threats.

“Protecting our customers means going beyond banking and working with those on the front lines,” said Cathy Santamaria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at BPI. “Through this partnership with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group and the programs under BPI CyberAcademy, we help strengthen the country’s ability to detect, investigate, and prevent financial cybercrimes, ultimately safeguarding Filipino families.”

The MOU institutionalizes a long-term partnership between BPI and PNP-ACG, covering joint training programs, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and continuous dialogue on emerging cybercrime trends. It also supports the government’s broader nation-building agenda by contributing to stronger cybersecurity capabilities across institutions.

The formal agreement builds on earlier engagements between BPI and PNP-ACG, including coordination meetings and participation in capacity-building activities that align public and private sector efforts against financial cybercrime. In 2025, a total of 146 police investigators and prosecutors from Region VII and Southern Metro Manila were trained under BPI CyberAcademy. Building on this momentum, the program is set to equip 150 more law enforcement officers this year—further strengthening the country’s frontline defense against digital financial crimes.

Through this collaboration, BPI continues to demonstrate its commitment to consumer protection by actively supporting national cybersecurity initiatives and working closely with authorities to help create a safer and more secure digital financial environment for Filipinos.