BTI Payments
Innovative Self-Service Kiosks for Unbanked and Underserved

Self-service kiosks are a safer alternative for the users, especially in today’s challenging times of COVID-19 because they are contactless. It provides a safer and more convenient way for people to meet their transactional requirements. For a country like the Philippines, where there is still heavy reliance on cash for daily transactions, self-service kiosks installed in essential outlets proved vital during the lockdowns. The paying public didn’t have to travel far from their home or workplaces since there are alternative payment kiosks to transact for their daily needs in places like supermarkets, drug and convenience stores. While the self-service kiosks are still at a nascent stage in the country, one company that has made it accessible is BTI Payments, whose self-service kiosks proved to be a boon for the people.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Australia-based Banktech, BTI Payments develops and deploys payments kiosks and independent ATMs at places where people need it the most. “We’ve been able to serve at places where people are at,” says Dan Ibarra, CEO and Country Head, BTI Payments. “We’re available in regular destinations where people visit frequently.” That’s the convenience BTI Payments provides in terms of accessibility, and at the same time, the company has simplified the process. With a few steps on the kiosk, transactions are processed and posted in real-time, doing away from long waiting queues and crowded centers.

Ibarra explains that BTI Payment is also focused on fostering inclusion in these areas, like the e-money wallets targeting the unbanked or underserved markets.

The company has provided an infrastructure to fully serve this untapped market to perform digital transactions. How does this work? To make payment using cash, a person will go to a store to find a Pay & Go kiosk, insert the cash equivalent of amount to be transacted. Enter the account no., mobile no. and the payment will be processed immediately. If there is a change to be returned, the remaining amount will be credited to their MySukli wallet associated with the entered mobile number. The Pay & Go kiosk is beneficial for the store owners in creating value for their customers serving them in a hassle-free and contactless way to pay. In addition, the kiosk is fully maintained by BTI Payments - right from installation to repair work.

The kiosk mainly accept cash-in from leading e-wallet players like GCash, PayMaya, Coins.ph and recently ShoppeePay. “The greater segment of our customers are the rapidly growing base of digital wallet users,” says Ibarra. “They top-up thru our kiosks to do various transactions like shopping online, ordering, or transferring money and paying bills.” The growth and adoption of digital wallets is further fueled by the ongoing pandemic, as many have moved away from traditional over the counter cash-in centers. They have become frequent users of BTI’s self-service kiosks. BTI’s machines have added value, turning them to financial hubs, adding-on traffic and sales to the store. While the residents and workers in the community were promptly served safely and conveniently, especially during mobility restrictions due to the pandemic.

Ibarra is confident that its network will play a significant role in ensuring that such communities have a safe and convenient way to transact financially. By taking the technology to places where financial service providers are lacking.

Banktech Australia’s General Manager, Strategic Development and Asia, Mr. Peter Blackett, reiterates “BTI is committed with its mission to make services available to numerous communities by converting common stores to financial hubs. By enabling communities access to financial transactions through its services, the company will continue to grow and make its services integral to more users.”

He also mentions that the growth in business volumes has been threefold in recent years. He believes that the infrastructure developed by BTI Payments and the ongoing revolution towards digital transactions will drive and sustain the growth momentum for many years to come.