Opening a bank account is now easier for National ID holders
MANILA, Philippines – Opening a bank account is beginning to require little more than a live selfie for millions of Filipinos, as banks increasingly connect their onboarding systems to the government’s National ID database.
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) customers who are already registered with the National ID system can now open a BPI account through the bank’s mobile app without photographing or uploading a physical identification card. Instead, the customer enters basic information and takes a live selfie, which is matched against the facial image and other details stored in the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).
“You take a selfie, you put your name and your birthday, and then it goes, pulls up your record from the National ID, and that’s how we verify you,” BPI president and chief executive officer Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco said, explaining that customers do not need to possess the physical National ID card.
BPI said the simpler process is already translating into more completed applications. Fitzgerald Chee, BPI’s head of consumer platforms, said account openings increased by about 50% after the bank introduced National ID-based verification. Around 85% of BPI’s account openings now use the National ID, according to consumer banking head Maria Cristina Go.
Aside from convenience, BPI executives said matching customers against government-held biometric records could help banks detect fabricated identities, fraudulent account applications, and so-called money mules whose accounts are used to receive or move proceeds from scams.
“This is not only good for BPI. This is really good for the whole banking system,” Limcaoco said during a signing ceremony on Thursday, July 30. “I foresee one day this is the only way it’s going to be.”
More banks, institutions connecting to PhilSys
BPI is only the latest major financial institution to connect its customer verification process to the National ID Authentication Services (NIDAS). Asia United Bank, GoTyme Bank, Philippine National Bank, and GCash have all worked with the PSA on National-ID based services.
PSA Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista said the agency ultimately wants all financial institutions to adopt the system.
The PSA is also pushing the National ID beyond banking and payments, positioning it as a common identity verification layer for healthcare, education, social protection, and other government services.
PhilHealth has integrated NIDAS into its PhilHealth Check Utility, allowing it to verify members through real-time facial recognition, identify duplicate records, and reduce fraudulent benefit claims.
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center became the first government hospital to integrate National ID authentication into its patient registration system. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University has also connected to the system, becoming the first state university to use National ID authentication.
The PSA is also exploring possible applications with the Commission on Elections, as both agencies require the collection of fingerprints from ID applicants.
The technology removes a documentation barrier, particularly for people who have no passport, driver’s license, or other traditional ID. As of June 30, a total of 92,988,897 people had been issued Philippine Standard Numbers with verifiable National ID credentials. Of these, 91,893,866 could access their Digital National ID through the eGovPH app.
A physical plastic card is not required for authentication. PSA officials said about 55 million physical cards had been issued before card printing was halted, but registered Filipinos may use their Digital National ID or request a free paper National ID which carries the same functionality.
The PSA recorded more than 124 million successful National ID authentications as of June 30, including over 44 million transactions conducted by financial and other private institutions. By July 28, officials said the cumulative number across all sectors had risen to about 145 million. – Rappler.com
