BPI to enable cross-border transfers on mobile app by next year

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) will add a feature enabling outbound cross-border money transfers to its mobile app via Visa Direct by early next year.

BPI app users will be able to make fund transfers to eligible bank accounts, cards, and wallets worldwide using Visa’s real-time push payment platform, sending money to countries such as Singapore and the United Kingdom within seconds.

Meanwhile, transfers to other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia may be completed within the same or next business day.

BPI will charge transaction fees of as low as $5 to help make international money transfers more affordable and accessible.

“Today’s clients expect financial services to move at the speed of their lives. As more Filipinos engage globally — whether for work, education, travel, or business—the need for secure, real-time, and affordable cross-border payments has become increasingly important,” BPI Head of Strategy, Products, and Support for Institutional Banking Joel A. De Vera said in a statement on Thursday.

“At BPI, we continuously invest in digital solutions that make everyday financial transactions simpler and more convenient for our clients. Through our partnership with Visa, we are enabling clients in the Philippines to send money abroad with greater ease and confidence directly from the BPI app.”

In 2025, the bank’s mobile app saw a 28% year-on-year increase in transaction count. This came as cross-border and domestic transaction volumes surged by 71%. Meanwhile, the average daily balance of overseas Filipinos and beneficiary accountholders grew by 22% last year.  

AGENCY BANKING
Meanwhile, BPI announced separately that Tambunting Pawnshop is now part of its agency banking partners.

Customers can now apply for BPI products, deposit to and withdraw funds from their BPI accounts, and make cash out transactions at over 100 Tambunting Pawnshop Kahera ng Bayan branches that are “May BPI Dito” partner stores.

BPI said the partnership will expand access to financial services by bringing them closer to underserved and community-based markets in the country, especially in areas with limited access to traditional bank branches.

“We have always believed that the Agency Banking model is a powerful driver of financial inclusion. Our approach has been deliberate and strategic — ensuring that the right products are delivered through the right partners to truly serve our communities. We are proud to welcome Tambunting Pawnshop as one of our key partners, and together, we are committed to accelerating access to inclusive financial services and expanding opportunities for Filipinos across the nation,” BPI President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco said.

“For over 140 years, Tambunting has grown alongside the Filipino people and earned their trust. Through this partnership with BPI, we can help more communities gain easier access to secure and reliable banking services,” said Miguel Tambunting, president and CEO of Tambunting Pawnshop.

BPI’s Agency Banking segment now has over 7,000 partner stores nationwide. — A.M.C. Sy