5 ways self-service kiosks drive financial inclusion

Did you know that an estimated 44% of Filipino adults are still unbanked, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas?

While the nation’s fintech and digital banking space has made great strides over the years to make financial services accessible, the total number of banked Filipinos is still lower than the global average of 76% recorded by the World Bank.

In the ongoing mission to promote financial inclusion, one unexpected yet powerful solution has emerged: self-service kiosks.
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Why self-service kiosks?

Self-service kiosks, specifically self-service payment kiosks, have emerged as a great way to adopt a hybrid approach to digital financial services.

With kiosks, there is still a physical location and touchpoint that users can see and feel. Yet the transactions on the kiosk itself lead to seamless integration with digital financial services—allowing users to cash in to e-wallets, pay bills, or even top up their online banking accounts, all while using physical cash.

Banking industry titans have already advocated for using kiosks to create a hybrid approach to increasing digitalization. In 2024,  BDO’s SVP Carlo Nazareno stressed the need to educate customers gradually, especially business owners who are hesitant to shift from traditional methods due to trust and familiarity issues. The strategy is to introduce digital services step by step, like viewing statements online or enabling digital check writing, without forcing full digital adoption, which is where kiosks come in.
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5 ways they drive financial inclusion

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1. They’re easy to use—even for first-time digital users. Self-service kiosks are designed with simplicity in mind. Their interfaces are straightforward and intuitive, making them ideal for users who may not be familiar with apps or online banking. 
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‍2. They bring services to underserved areas.  When choosing kiosks, deployment also needs to be low-cost and scalable. This is especially true for rural or low-income urban communities, which traditional banks cannot service due to the high cost of maintaining physical branches.

‍3. They support cash-based transactions Kiosks allow users to pay bills, send remittances, and top up e-wallets using physical cash—something many unbanked individuals still rely on. This cash-to-digital bridge is key to helping more people participate in the digital economy without needing a bank account.

‍4. They’re available 24/7. Kiosks should be usable 24/7 to accommodate people with non-traditional work hours—like drivers, vendors, and shift workers—to manage their finances at their convenience. This flexibility is crucial in building consistent usage habits and promoting true inclusivity.

5. Kiosks meet people where they are. Kiosks are installed in everyday spots like groceries, pharmacies, and bakeshops—making financial services easy to access during routine errands. Additionally, any good kiosk also needs to carry the relevant e-wallets, bill payment options, and other financial platforms to meet the everyday needs of users.
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At eTap Solutions, each kiosk is placed strategically in bakeshops, groceries, and pharmacies for maximum accessibility. Top e-wallets such as GCash and Maya are also available on all kiosks alongside billers such as Dragonloans, Manila Water, Meralco Kload, and more.

Interested in placing an eTap kiosk right in your store? Reach out to the official eTap Solutions LinkedIn page or message Joe at joe@etapinc.com!

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Article by Pancho Dizon
Graphic by Brennan Cahilig