BREAKING: MariBank secures BSP digital bank license, completes transition from rural bank

The approval formally reclassifies MariBank as a digital bank, aligning its regulatory status with its digital-first business model.

MariBank has secured a digital banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), completing its transition from a rural bank to a digital bank after operating under a rural bank license despite offering services through a digital-first model.

The approval formally reclassifies MariBank under the BSP’s digital bank framework, aligning its regulatory status with the way it already serves customers.

Customers will continue using the bank’s existing products and services without interruption, while deposits of up to ₱1 million remain insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC).

The license marks a key regulatory milestone for MariBank as it strengthens its position in the country’s growing digital banking sector. It also comes months after the lender was named the Philippines’ top bank in Forbes’ 2026 World’s Best Banks ranking.

BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said MariBank had been an early supporter of the central bank’s digital payments agenda, noting that it was among the first financial institutions to offer free fund transfers. He added that the lender’s new classification is expected to encourage further innovation and competition in the banking industry.

MariBank President Siew Ghee Kung Lim said the license reflects the trust customers have placed in the bank and positions it to continue innovating while reaching more Filipinos over time.

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