Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) president and CEO Cezar P. Consing said the 169-year old bank will continue to be “professional, inclusive and forward looking” amid the public health crisis.
In a statement on account of the bank’s anniversary, the bank’s CEO is promising not just professionalism amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but he reiterated what BPI is all about – stable, pro-nation-building and supportive of what it called “purposeful phygital (physical and digital)” banking to counteract the challenges and “confusion” due to the pandemic.
“The combination of our branches, bravely manned, and our digital channels have allowed millions of Filipinos and thousands of businesses to conduct essential banking transactions throughout this challenging period,” according to Consing, who addressed bank employees and clients in a virtual message marking the anniversary.
Despite the necessary lockdown measures since mid-March until today – even in varying levels of restrictions – Consing said BPI met all challenges and requirements to provide a digital platform.
“Our 169-year history has seen us make a real, positive difference in difficult times. We are seen as leading in the market not because we’re bigger, but because we are professional, inclusive and forward looking, and have a brand that defines trust, stability and nation-building,” he said.
During its August anniversary celebrations which was made public through it’s internal social media channel, BPI activities will include: the “#PhygitallyYours” campaign which is a weekly digital community service; #ECONversationSeries on phygital banking; the inspirational “Dream Bayan Podcast”; and BPI Foundation’s food security fundraising campaign “Pagsibol,” in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines).
The “Pagsibol” is a project that “aims to build sustainable food sheds – or climate-resilient food production facilities – to address food security and help hundreds of families all over the country to adapt and build their resilience in the new normal,” said BPI.