The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said it reached more than 1,100 small and medium enterprise (SME) customers nationwide in 2025 through its Ka-Negosyo capacity-building engagements, reinforcing its push for financial inclusion and sustainable enterprise growth.

The initiative is backed by BPI’s strong financing support for the SME sector. In its 2024 Integrated Report, the bank disclosed that its Business Banking group maintained a P36-billion outstanding loan portfolio, reflecting continued support for SMEs through accessible financing alongside non-financial interventions.

BPI conducted a series of BizTalk, Ka-Nego Talk and Ka-Negososyo sessions across 16 locations nationwide, providing entrepreneurs with practical business insights, upskilling opportunities, and networking platforms. Topics discussed included taxation, digital banking, franchising, operational efficiency, and emerging business opportunities to help SMEs adapt to a rapidly changing business environment.

“These engagements reflect our commitment to support SMEs not just through financing, but by walking alongside them in their growth journey,” said Ococ Ocliasa, head of Business Banking at BPI. “By providing our madali, magaan, at mabilis Ka-Negosyo solutions, combined with knowledge-sharing and community building, we help entrepreneurs turn their business plans into reality.”

The BizTalk series focused on expert-led learning sessions covering business taxation, financial planning and digital banking. In 2025, the program reached 352 SMEs across five locations: Laoag, Bacolod, Laguna, Coron in Palawan and Tacloban.

Ka-Nego Talk, meanwhile, emphasized peer-to-peer learning by allowing SME owners to learn directly from fellow entrepreneurs and industry leaders. A total of 538 SMEs participated in seven Ka-Nego Talk events held in Bohol, Manila, Makati, Ortigas, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Cagayan de Oro and Pampanga.

Complementing these initiatives, the Ka-Negososyo series focused on strengthening business networks within local SME communities. Four events were held in General Santos, Bulacan, Quezon City and CAMANAVA and Cebu, engaging 200 participants and encouraging collaboration among entrepreneurs, suppliers and merchants.