BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., the microfinance arm of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), has taken a major step forward in its digital transformation by selecting ACI Worldwide to upgrade and modernize its payment infrastructure. The partnership will see BanKo adopt ACI’s issuing and acquiring platform, a move aimed at delivering faster, more seamless omnichannel payment experiences for banks, fintechs, merchants, and millions of Filipino consumers.
Financial Technology Insights: BanKo Taps ACI Worldwide to Modernize Payment Infrastructure
The initiative marks a pivotal turning point for BanKo as it prepares to replace its existing switching system with a more advanced, scalable, and secure solution. ACI’s platform, known for real-time transaction processing across ATMs, POS systems, and mobile channels, will support BanKo’s efforts to keep pace with rising transaction volumes and evolving customer expectations. The platform’s modular and open architecture is designed to reduce operational costs, accelerate innovation, and make it easier to launch new services and features.
With the new system expected to go live by the end of Q1 2026, BanKo aims to enhance accessibility and reliability across its digital services. President Rod Mabiasen emphasized the importance of the upgrade, noting that technology plays a critical role in making banking work better for Filipinos. He highlighted that the switching network is one of the bank’s most vital customer touchpoints, making the partnership with ACI essential for building a future-ready payment ecosystem.
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ACI Worldwide echoed this commitment, with Leslie Choo, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for APAC, noting that BanKo’s adoption reflects the company’s long-standing reputation for powering mission-critical payments globally. He added that bringing ACI’s proven technology to the Philippines will help create a more reliable, convenient, and inclusive payment environment across the country.
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Together, BanKo and ACI Worldwide aim to strengthen financial empowerment in the Philippines by delivering faster, more secure, and more innovative digital payment experiences that support the growing needs of Filipino consumers and businesses.
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