As global sustainability gains momentum, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is pioneering an innovative approach to banking. In celebration of its 3rd Sustainability Awareness Month (SAM), BPI introduces its inaugural Phygital Flagship branch at BPI Dela Rosa, marking a significant stride in the banking industry’s journey towards a more sustainable future. The theme ‘Beyond Green’ underscores BPI’s commitment to a holistic sustainability approach, integrating environmental stewardship with social responsibility, economic stability, and good governance.
Environmental Commitment: Phygital Transformation and Green Solutions
The concept of Phygital branch transformation epitomizes BPI’s dedication to revolutionizing the customer experience. BPI’s Phygital branches offer unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and personalized advisory services to meet the diverse needs of its clientele, whether traditional or digitally savvy.
“Our Phygital branches enhance the in-branch customer experience by blending the efficiency, ease, and convenience of our digital platforms with personalized, caring, and expert advisory services. We understand that while many of our clients seek speed and convenience for simple transactions via our mobile applications, others prefer in-person engagement for financial advisory and complex transactions,” said Maria Cristina “Ginbee” Go, Head of Consumer Banking at BPI.
With 26 Phygital branches already transformed, BPI demonstrates its commitment to enhancing accessibility and efficiency across its network. Moreover, 14 of these branches have been certified by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as EDGE-certified Green Bank Branches. The EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification recognizes buildings that achieve at least 20% savings in energy, water, and embodied energy-efficient materials, showcasing BPI’s dedication to reducing its ecological footprint.
Beyond its Phygital transformation, BPI offers a suite of Green Solutions, providing sustainable financing options to promote eco-conscious choices among its customers. From Solar Mortgages to Eco-Build Financing and Electric Vehicle (EV) Financing, BPI empowers individuals to embrace environmentally friendly practices in their everyday lives more conveniently.
Social Impact: LavLoans for Ethical Lending
While sustainability has been strongly attached to environmental protection, BPI has come a long way in addressing social issues such as those tied to poverty, hunger, and health. Underlining its commitment to social responsibility, BPI has introduced LavLoans, also known as Lavander Loans, a specialized financing service tailored to support cancer patients and their families. By offering favorable financing terms, LavLoans aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with cancer treatment, enabling patients to focus on their recovery journey with greater ease and peace of mind.
Driving Change Through Sustainable Finance
“BPI is deeply committed to driving positive change through sustainable finance,” said Eric Luchangco, BPI CFO, and Chief Sustainability Officer. “Our environmental initiatives, such as Phygital transformation and Green Solutions, reflect our dedication to minimizing our ecological footprint while empowering our clients to make environmentally conscious choices. Additionally, with the launch of LavLoans, we aim to extend our support to those facing challenging circumstances, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to social responsibility.”
As BPI continues to champion ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, it reaffirms its position as a trusted partner in sustainable finance, driving meaningful impact and fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.