BPI Marks 175 Years by Strengthening Its Presence Across the Visayas

As the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) celebrates its 175th anniversary, the bank continues to expand its presence across the Visayas.

Today, BPI serves communities across the region through 101 BPI branches, 99 BanKo branches, 6 LSB branches, and 1,116 Agency Banking partner stores. Together with its digital platforms and financial solutions, these channels make banking more accessible to individuals, families, and businesses across the Visayas.

A Longstanding Connection to Cebu

Cebu has played an important role in BPI’s history for more than a century.

In 1924, BPI opened its third-oldest branch on Jakosalem Street in Cebu City. The branch later moved to the corner of Magallanes and P. Burgos Streets, where the BPI Cebu Main Branch continues to serve clients today. The historic building is also home to the BPI Museum Cebu, preserving a part of the bank’s long history and its connection to the city.

Bringing Banking Closer to Communities

BPI’s reach in the Visayas goes beyond traditional bank branches. The bank has 1,116 Agency Banking partner stores across the region. These include familiar establishments such as Prince Retail Group, Metro Gaisano, The Marketplace, Robinsons Supermarket, CVM Pawnshop, Daiso, Rose Pharmacy, and Uncle John’s, among others.

Through these partner stores, customers can access selected banking services depending on the location. These may include:

• Account opening and product applications
• Cash-in and cash-out transactions
• Bills payment
• Fund transfers
• BPI OneQR payments

By bringing these services closer to places where people already shop and do business, BPI continues to make everyday banking more convenient.

Banking Where Customers Are

“The Visayas has always been an important part of BPI’s journey for more than a century. Our first branch in the Visayas was established in Iloilo, marking the beginning of our longstanding presence in the region, while Cebu has remained an important part of our heritage and operations. Our presence in the region reflects our commitment to being where our customers are. As we celebrate 175 years, we remain focused on bringing together our branches, digital capabilities, and partnerships to make banking more accessible, convenient, and relevant to the individuals, businesses, and communities we serve,” said Cathy Santamaria, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at BPI.

100 Years of Banking in Cebu

BPI’s connection with Cebu reached another major milestone in 2024, when the bank commemorated 100 years of banking in Cebu. The milestone highlighted BPI’s enduring relationship with generations of Cebuanos. That same year, the historic BPI Cebu Main Branch was declared an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The recognition underscores the building’s importance not only to BPI but also to Cebu’s cultural and economic heritage.

175 Years of Moving Forward

From its historic branches to its digital platforms and growing network of agency banking partners, BPI’s 175-year journey reflects how banking continues to evolve. Its longstanding presence in the Visayas, particularly in Cebu and Iloilo, also highlights the bank’s commitment to staying close to the communities it serves.

As BPI celebrates 175 years, its continued expansion across the Visayas points to one clear goal: making banking more accessible, convenient, and relevant to more Filipinos.