Expressnet
Corporate brand
UnclaimedExpressnet was a Philippine interbank ATM network that connected the automated teller machines of several major banks.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Expressnet was a Philippine interbank electronic banking network established in 1986. It began when the automated teller machines of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and its subsidiary, BPI Family Savings Bank, were connected on February 14 of that year. The first transaction over the network was conducted during its founding year. From this initial BPI-centered system, Expressnet developed into a consortium serving multiple banks and their ATM customers across the Philippines. The network expanded its membership during the 1990s and early 2000s. Land Bank of the Philippines joined in December 1991, followed by HSBC Philippines in February 1992 and Banco de Oro in April 1995. BPI Direct Savings Bank joined in 2000, while HSBC Savings Bank became the latest member identified in the historical account on April 1, 2001. BPI and its affiliated banks provided a particularly broad ATM footprint, helping Expressnet achieve the second-largest number of ATMs among Philippine interbank networks even though it had fewer member banks and customers than some competitors. Expressnet's operating proposition was interoperability: customers of participating banks could use their cards at connected ATMs belonging to other members and, through later arrangements, at machines belonging to other Philippine networks. The network formed an alliance with MegaLink on May 6, 1997. The arrangement allowed Expressnet cardholders to use MegaLink ATMs and MegaLink customers to use Expressnet machines, materially widening the practical reach of both systems. Expressnet also signed a memorandum of understanding with BancNet in 2005 and outsourced its ATM operations to BancNet in 2008. The network was associated with the slogan "The Powerful Connection" and with the Express Payment System, or EPS. EPS originated as the debit-card system connected with the BPI Express Teller ATM card. In 2005, it was expanded to include Land Bank E.A.S.Y. cards and Banco de Oro ATM cards, including both local and international cards. Expressnet cardholders also had access to selected international card networks, although availability varied by issuing bank and card type. By the later period described in the reference material, Expressnet reportedly served approximately 3.5 million customers and operated 2,213 ATMs, with machines available around the clock. Its infrastructure was increasingly interconnected with BancNet and MegaLink, and several member banks were also associated with BancNet. BancNet and MegaLink announced a merger on January 30, 2015, further consolidating the Philippine interbank-network market. BancNet subsequently acquired Expressnet's operations and infrastructure. The Expressnet name was gradually withdrawn from bank materials, including newer BPI Express Teller card collateral that no longer identified BPI as an Expressnet member. Full integration into BancNet was expected by mid-2016. Expressnet is therefore best understood as a historical Philippine payments-network brand whose functions and infrastructure were absorbed into BancNet rather than as an independently operating consumer brand today.
History
Expressnet originated on February 14, 1986, when Bank of the Philippine Islands and BPI Family Savings Bank connected their ATM systems. This connection created the foundation for an interbank network and produced Expressnet's first transaction during the same year. The system initially reflected BPI's banking presence, particularly its extensive network of Express Teller ATMs. Expansion followed through a series of bank memberships. Land Bank of the Philippines joined in December 1991, and HSBC Philippines followed in February 1992. Banco de Oro became a member in April 1995. BPI Direct Savings Bank joined in 2000, and HSBC Savings Bank joined on April 1, 2001. These additions broadened the network's institutional base while retaining BPI's substantial role in its ATM footprint. A major step in Expressnet's development was its alliance with MegaLink, another Philippine interbank ATM network. Announced on May 6, 1997, the alliance enabled approximately 2.3 million Expressnet cardholders to use MegaLink ATMs and approximately 2.7 million MegaLink cardholders to use Expressnet ATMs, according to the historical account. This arrangement improved interoperability without immediately eliminating the separate identities of the two networks. Expressnet also developed the Express Payment System, commonly referred to as EPS. EPS began as the debit-card system associated with the BPI Express Teller ATM card. In 2005, the system was extended to Land Bank E.A.S.Y. cardholders and Banco de Oro cardholders, including local and international ATM cards. Network connectivity also extended selectively to international payment systems such as Maestro, Cirrus, and PLUS, with access dependent on the issuing bank and card type. Some Banco de Oro ATMs additionally supported cards associated with American Express, JCB, Mastercard, Visa, and Visa Electron. The relationship with BancNet became increasingly important. Expressnet and BancNet signed a memorandum on July 13, 2005, and Expressnet outsourced its ATM operations to BancNet in 2008. Many Expressnet cardholders and a substantial portion of its ATMs were connected to either MegaLink or BancNet, although coverage was not uniform across all banks and machines. Land Bank and HSBC systems were cited as examples of areas where connectivity arrangements differed from those of the BPI group and Banco de Oro. In the mid-2010s, consolidation changed the network landscape. BancNet and MegaLink announced their merger on January 30, 2015, with operations moving toward a single BancNet entity. Expressnet was subsequently purchased by BancNet, and the Expressnet brand began to disappear from the materials of participating banks. Newer BPI Express Teller card collateral reportedly stopped presenting BPI as an Expressnet member. Integration of Expressnet's infrastructure into BancNet was expected to be completed by mid-2016. At the end of its independently identifiable operating period, Expressnet was reported to have about 3.5 million customers and 2,213 ATMs operating continuously. Its historical significance lies in helping establish interoperable ATM access among Philippine banks and in contributing technology, customer relationships, and infrastructure to the consolidated BancNet network. The brand itself is no longer presented as an independent interbank network.
- 2016
Expressnet integration and brand retirement
[1]BancNet acquired Expressnet's operations and infrastructure. The Expressnet brand was progressively retired, with full integration expected by mid-2016.
- 2015
BancNet and MegaLink merge
[1]BancNet and MegaLink announced a merger on January 30, 2015, consolidating interbank-network operations under BancNet.
- 2008
ATM operations move to BancNet
[1]Expressnet outsourced its ATM operations to BancNet.
- 2005
EPS coverage expands
[1]Expressnet expanded its Express Payment System to Land Bank E.A.S.Y. cardholders and Banco de Oro ATM cardholders.
- 2001
HSBC Savings Bank joins
[1]HSBC Savings Bank became the latest listed Expressnet member on April 1, 2001.
- 2000
BPI Direct Savings Bank joins
[1]BPI Direct Savings Bank, a BPI subsidiary, joined Expressnet in 2000.
- 1997
Expressnet and MegaLink form an alliance
[1]The two Philippine ATM networks formed an alliance on May 6, 1997, allowing their respective cardholders to use participating machines across both systems.
- 1995
Banco de Oro joins
[1]Banco de Oro joined Expressnet in April 1995.
- 1992
HSBC Philippines joins
[1]HSBC Philippines became an Expressnet member in February 1992.
- 1991
Land Bank joins
[1]Land Bank of the Philippines joined the Expressnet consortium in December 1991.
Products and positioning
A Philippine bank-owned interbank ATM and electronic payments network positioned around broad ATM connectivity, interoperability, and convenient access for customers of participating banks.
Interbank payments network · 1986
Expressnet interbank ATM network
Expressnet connected the ATM systems of participating Philippine banks, allowing customers to conduct transactions at machines outside their issuing bank's own network. The network's reach was supported especially by BPI's nationwide Express Teller presence. It also developed interoperability arrangements with MegaLink and BancNet, although the exact availability of services varied by bank, ATM, and card type.
Debit-card payment system
Express Payment System (EPS)
EPS was Expressnet's debit-card and payment-service offering. It initially operated with the BPI Express Teller ATM card and later expanded to include Land Bank E.A.S.Y. cards and Banco de Oro local and international ATM cards. EPS formed part of the network's effort to extend card use beyond an individual bank's proprietary ATM estate.
Brand decisions
2015
Consolidation with BancNetM&ABackground
The Philippine interbank-network sector was consolidating, including the announced BancNet-MegaLink merger and Expressnet's existing operational ties with BancNet.
Action taken
BancNet purchased Expressnet's operations and infrastructure.
Aftermath
The Expressnet identity was gradually retired from participating banks' promotional and card materials, and integration into BancNet was expected to be completed by mid-2016.
2008
Outsourcing of ATM operationsStrategyBackground
Expressnet had already established a technical relationship with BancNet through an interconnection memorandum.
Action taken
Expressnet outsourced its ATM operations to BancNet.
Aftermath
The arrangement increased operational integration between the two networks and preceded BancNet's later acquisition of Expressnet's operations and infrastructure.
2005
Interconnection agreement with BancNetStrategyBackground
BancNet was another major Philippine interbank ATM network, and interconnection could increase the usefulness of Expressnet cards and machines.
Action taken
Expressnet and BancNet signed a memorandum of understanding concerning network interconnection.
Aftermath
The relationship progressed to Expressnet outsourcing ATM operations to BancNet in 2008 and ultimately contributed to the later integration of Expressnet infrastructure.
1997
Alliance with MegaLinkStrategyBackground
Expressnet and MegaLink operated as separate Philippine interbank networks, but their customers benefited from broader ATM access if the systems were connected.
Action taken
The networks formed an alliance on May 6, 1997, enabling reciprocal ATM use for their cardholders.
Aftermath
The alliance expanded practical ATM access for both customer bases while preserving the two network brands.
Sources1 sources
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