In a groundbreaking move that bridges the worlds of finance and competitive gaming, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has partnered with international game developer and publisher MOONTON Games to become the official banking partner of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines. This collaboration marks the first-ever partnership between an esports league and a banking institution in the country, signaling a new era of financial inclusion for the gaming community. The partnership aims to revolutionize the banking experience for gamers, making banking more accessible while reinforcing BPI's commitment to digital innovation.
The esports industry has evolved into a professional arena with millions of fans, athletes, and established leagues worldwide. In the Philippines, MLBB stands as one of the most beloved mobile games, with over 110 million monthly active users, particularly among young Filipinos aged 18 to 34. Its accessibility, social appeal, and thriving esports scene fuel its widespread popularity. Notably, 74.26% of players make in-game purchases, often spending on MLBB Diamonds to enhance their gameplay experience. This strategic collaboration presents BPI with a unique opportunity to connect with a dynamic and financially engaged community.
A Partnership Tailored for the Digital-First Generation
BPI's partnership with MPL Philippines goes beyond mere sponsorship. The bank has mounted both offline and online activities within the MPL PH Arena to introduce a suite of financial products tailored to the fast-paced, mobile-first lifestyles of tech-savvy consumers. These offerings include Digital Deposit Accounts, Insurance, Investments, and Loans—all designed to support the gaming community on their road to financial wellness.
Through this initiative, BPI aims to empower gamers with reliable, convenient, and innovative banking solutions. The bank's #MySaveUp and #SaveUp accounts are central to this effort, encouraging in-game funding and top-ups that translate into real-world deposits. BPI hopes to sign up hundreds of thousands of new customers from the gaming community.
| Financial Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Digital Deposit Accounts | Convenient, mobile-first accounts for everyday banking |
| Insurance | Protection plans tailored for gamers' lifestyles |
| Investments | Opportunities to grow wealth for the long term |
| Loans | Flexible financing options for various needs |
Voices from the Leadership
Ma. Cristina 'Ginbee' Go, BPI's Head of Consumer Banking, emphasized the broader vision: 'This initiative recognizes the value of partnership in driving financial inclusion by offering innovative, accessible banking solutions for today's generation. As esports continues to grow into a global, professional industry—creating new career paths for players, coaches, and content creators—the financial needs of the gaming community are also evolving. BPI is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, providing banking solutions that meet the unique demands of this fast-paced, digital-first world. But the impact goes beyond offering products; BPI is deeply committed to building long-term financial security for professional esports players and coaches by equipping them with the tools and knowledge to manage their finances well beyond their gaming careers.'
Lee Viloria, Head of PH Business Development and Partnerships at MOONTON Games, shared his enthusiasm: 'We are delighted to welcome BPI into MPL Philippines, the country's most-watched esports league. This landmark partnership cements the first-ever collaboration of an esports league with a universal bank in the Philippines and is aligned with our mission to further expand the esports ecosystem through collaborations with brands that share the same vision with us.'
Matthew Chan, PH Head of Esports at MOONTON Games, added: 'This historic partnership benefits our fans with BPI's programs curated for the MLBB esports and gaming community. We are one with BPI in showing our young fans available platforms and programs to develop healthy and lifelong financial habits, especially at a young age. We are thrilled to have MPL Philippines as BPI's partner in pushing for financial inclusion among our community.'
Impact and Implications
The partnership is a strategic move for BPI to embed its brand within Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, tapping into a vast and engaged audience. By offering financial products tailored to gamers, BPI not only addresses their immediate banking needs but also fosters long-term financial security. This is particularly important as esports continues to professionalize, creating new career paths for players, coaches, and content creators.
The collaboration also highlights the growing recognition of esports as a legitimate industry. With millions of fans and substantial viewership, MPL Philippines provides a powerful platform for BPI to reach a generation that expects convenience, innovation, and relevance in every aspect of their lives.
📊 Key Highlights of the Partnership:
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First-ever esports league and banking institution partnership in the Philippines.
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BPI becomes the official banking partner of MPL Philippines.
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Tailored financial products: Digital Deposit Accounts, Insurance, Investments, Loans.
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Focus on #MySaveUp and #SaveUp accounts to drive real-world deposits.
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Target audience: 110 million MLBB monthly active users, primarily aged 18-34.
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74.26% of players make in-game purchases, indicating high financial engagement.
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Goal: Sign up hundreds of thousands of new customers.
As one of the Philippines' leading financial institutions, BPI continues to set the standard for digital banking. By combining cutting-edge technology with a strong customer-first philosophy, the bank is helping cultivate long-term financial security for gamers and esports professionals, empowering them to thrive both in and beyond the game.
This partnership is not just a sponsorship; it's a statement that esports is here to stay and that financial institutions are ready to support its community. As the industry grows, collaborations like this will likely become more common, further integrating gaming into the mainstream financial ecosystem.
Recent analysis comes from Game Developer, and it helps frame why BPI’s tie-up with MPL Philippines fits a broader industry pattern: as esports matures into a long-term career ecosystem, organizers and sponsors increasingly invest in infrastructure that supports player sustainability—covering everything from earnings management to scalable fan monetization. Seen through that lens, banking activations inside a league arena aren’t just branding; they reflect the professionalization of competitive gaming and the growing need for accessible financial tools for players, teams, and creators.