The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is growing its branch network consistent with its pursuit of greater financial inclusion and access to financial services nationwide. The lender has opened 15 new branches, of which four are BPI Family Savings Bank branches and another 27 under the BanKo brand of branches across the country in the first half of 2018.

Joseph Gotuaco, head of retail banking and chairman of BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., BPI’s microfinance arm, said the bank is strengthening its presence in provincial areas where bank services can support the growing regional economies and their demands for safe and reliable financial services.

“We will continue expanding our branch network to areas that show potential for the need of consumers to transact financially, save, invest, or access credit. We want our branches to be a one-stop shop where clients feel they can have a meaningful relationship with BPI,” Gotuaco said.

BPI has opened branches in Panabo in Davao del Norte, the banana Capital of the Philippines, and Mati in Davao Oriental, the coconut capital of the Philippines. The bank aims to provide financial services to SME in the growing agricultural industry.

To better serve clients in the Cebu area, new branches were also established in Toledo, Carcar, and in Insular Square in Mandaue City. BPI seeks to serve more clients as it moves further south of Cebu.

Currently it has 942 BPI, BPI Family and BanKo branches and is expecting to add more branches before the end of the year.