This is the goal behind the partnership between Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through its digital wallet VYBE, and Pay&Go, which now allows users to cash in for free at more than 3,400 kiosks nationwide.
‘True digital transformation’
"True digital transformation means extending real value to the underserved. Our partnership with Pay&Go brings us closer to communities. By making it easier—and free—to cash in to VYBE, we’re helping more Filipinos participate in the digital economy,” Alex Seminiano, chief technology officer of BPI, said in a press release on Nov. 6, 2025.
BPI aims to remove barriers to financial access by helping more people participate in the digital economy. It seeks to empower Filipinos to begin their digital financial journey and experience secure and convenient banking.
Even without a BPI account, VYBE users can send and receive money, pay bills, buy load, and earn rewards. VYBE currently has 2.4 million users and aims to grow its user base to 5.0 million by the end of 2026.
Many still lack access to the system
Danilo Ibarra, chief executive officer of Pay&Go (BTI Payments), sees this partnership as a “noble mission” to extend financial services down to the broader segment of the market, noting that many in this group still lack access to the financial system.
Pay&Go kiosks were launched in 2015 as a self-service platform offering a safer and more convenient way for people to conduct transactions, particularly in the Philippines, where cash remains widely used.
“Surprisingly, the broader market segment has quickly adopted the service, with around 8.8 million people currently using the network,” Ibarra said in a press conference following the media launch of the partnership.
He added that the key point is how the service reaches those who need it most, as many people still feel intimidated entering bank branches and are more comfortable accessing financial services in familiar places.
Expansion
The network currently records about P10 billion in monthly turnover, with an average of 5.7 million transactions each month.The company plans to expand its network to 4,500 kiosks by next year, with more installations in key locations across Visayas and Mindanao.
Ibarra said that in several remote areas, such as Camotes Island, Bantayan, and parts of Palawan, Pay&Go kiosks serve as the only self-service access points.
Residents actively use them for various transactions, including depositing money into others’ accounts, highlighting the kiosks’ importance in expanding financial access in underserved locations.
About 80 percent of the population still relies on cash for daily transactions. Offering products like VYBE and providing accessible channels to fund and use them help bridge the gap and encourage more people to adopt digital financial transactions, he said.
Not only for the tech-savvy
“Digital banking must serve not only the tech-savvy but also the overlooked. As we expand VYBE’s access through Pay&Go, we are building a more inclusive financial landscape where every Filipino has the tools to move forward,” said Frederick Faustino, head of digital partnerships and ecosystems of BPI.
In an interview with InsiderPH, Faustino said BPI has made VYBE accessible to everyone—including senior citizens—through four convenient touchpoints: roaming sales teams deployed nationwide, an agency banking team that provides on-site help, assistance from BPI branches, and an easy-to-use interface designed with accessibility in mind.
"There is the 'hand-holding' that some of our clients will need. So we have our agency banking team, they are the ones who provide physical presence. And they can do the hand-holding for clients who will need special assistance," he added.
To qualify for a VYBE account, users must be at least 18 years old with a Philippine mobile number. The service primarily targets the 18 to 31 age group, which makes up a large portion of the population and is more inclined to use technology.
Signing up for VYBE is simple. BPI account holders can use their existing credentials, while those without an account can register for free by providing just their name, birthdate, mobile number, and email—no ID or supporting documents required.
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