MANILA — The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is aiming to increase users of its mobile payment application, VYBE, to about 5 million by 2026, driven by the growing acceptance of digital payments, particularly among younger Filipinos.

Eric Faustino, head of Digital Partnerships and Ecosystems at BPI, said Thursday that the digital wallet currently has around 2.3 million users. The bank targets to end 2025 with 2.5 million users and to double this number next year.

“We also have a good number of new banks that we have gained through the years. So, there’s a good number (of account holders), and we hope we continue to grow that one because it’s also aligned with our vision for financial inclusion,” Faustino said.

BPI has partnered with self-service kiosk operator Pay&Go, enabling VYBE app users to cash in for free at more than 3,400 kiosks nationwide. Faustino added that this expansion aims to make digital banking accessible not only to the tech-savvy but also to underserved communities.

Dan Ibarra, chief executive officer of BTI Payments Philippines, the provider of Pay&Go machines, said most kiosks are in the National Capital Region and Luzon, with 12 percent in Mindanao and 8 percent in the Visayas. He added that the company plans to increase units to around 4,500 nationwide next year, focusing on Visayas and Mindanao in partnership with BPI.

“It’s really our intention to reach out to the broader market, especially in the segment that is hardly provided with financial access,” Ibarra said.