BPI preps for Apple Pay, Google Pay launch

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) expects its card products to be ready for tokenization by next year, positioning the Ayala-led lender for the anticipated local launch of Apple Pay and Google Pay.

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Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, BPI president and chief executive officer (CEO), said the bank's preparation comes as global mobile payment providers actively begin discussions with Philippine banks to ensure broad market support before an official launch.

“We can be ready by next year,” Limcaoco told reporters last week when asked if the bank’s card products are prepared for tokenization and launch by 2026.

“Banks have to make sure their cards can be tokenized and ready for launch,” Limcaoco said. BPI’s card products cannot be configured for tokenization before the end of 2025.

While BPI could already be equipped by next year, Limcaoco believes the mobile payment providers would proceed with their launch only if there are enough banks prepared for integration.