Opening a deposit account with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is now simpler after the bank signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on July 30 to integrate the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) into its customer onboarding process.
The feature was rolled out alongside the partnership announcement, allowing National ID holders to verify their identity digitally when opening deposit accounts through the BPI app.
The move comes as Philippine banks increasingly adopt digital identity solutions to simplify onboarding, strengthen Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, and expand access to formal financial services, particularly for underserved Filipinos. It also advances the country’s broader financial inclusion agenda by making banking more accessible through secure digital identity verification.
PhilSys integration simplifies customer onboarding
Through the agreement, BPI has integrated the PSA’s National ID Authentication Services (NIDAS) eVerify platform into its account opening process, allowing eligible customers to verify their identity using the National ID. The integration reduces manual verification, shortens onboarding time, and allows eligible customers to open accounts more quickly through the BPI app.
Instead of uploading a photo of their National ID or another government-issued identification card, eligible customers only need to take a selfie through the BPI app. The image is securely matched against their PhilSys record using the PSA’s eVerify service, enabling faster digital identity verification.
BPI President and Chief Executive Officer TG Limcaoco said the integration simplifies account opening while giving customers a faster and more secure way to verify their identity.
“National ID holders no longer need to upload a photo of their ID or any ID. Instead, they simply take a selfie, which is securely verified against their PhilSys record, making the account opening process faster, more convenient, and seamless,” Limcaoco said.
“To me, this is the way you should be opening a bank account.”
The collaboration also supports the country’s digital transformation efforts by encouraging wider adoption of PhilSys across the financial sector. By using a government-backed digital identity system, banks can strengthen their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes while making financial services more accessible to Filipinos.
Digital identity supports financial inclusion
The partnership underscores the growing role of digital identity in expanding access to formal banking services.
Filipinos who previously faced challenges presenting multiple government-issued IDs may now find it easier to open eligible deposit accounts using the National ID.
PSA Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista said the agency hopes more financial institutions will integrate with the National ID system, allowing more Filipinos to access banking and other essential services more easily.
“Every Filipino deserves convenient and trusted access to essential services, especially financial services,” Bautista said.
For BPI, the integration reinforces its commitment to digital banking innovation while supporting national efforts to deliver secure, inclusive, and efficient financial services. As more institutions adopt PhilSys-enabled verification, digital identity is expected to become a key enabler of faster, more seamless banking experiences across the country.
Limcaoco said seamless onboarding is an important step toward expanding financial inclusion.
“Financial inclusion begins with access, and access should be seamless, access should be simple, and access should be built on trust,” he said.
A step toward smarter banking
The partnership between BPI and the PSA marks another milestone in the Philippines’ digital finance journey.
With the integration now live, eligible National ID holders can open deposit accounts through the BPI app without uploading an ID, using only a selfie verified against their PhilSys record.
The rollout marks another step toward a more seamless, secure, and inclusive digital banking ecosystem in the Philippines.
