The First Isabela Cooperative Bank (FICOBANK) is a pioneer cooperative bank in the Philippines with a 47-year history rooted in community development and rural progress. Established on September 10, 1976, the bank was founded by two cooperatives and 47 Samahang Nayon (pre-cooperatives) to support farmers and small entrepreneurs who had limited access to banking services.
FICOBANK formally opened its doors in 1980 and has since evolved from a micro cooperative rural bank into a large, multi-branch financial institution. As of December 31, 2022, it has a resource base of Php5.51 billion and operates 40 banking units across 11 provinces, including Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Bulacan, and Kalinga.
Why Join FICOBANK?
Joining FICOBANK means becoming part of a community-first cooperative bank that puts your needs at the center of its services. Unlike commercial banks, FICOBANK is owned and governed by its member-cooperatives, with board members elected from among them. The bank operates on the principle of “people helping people”—creating access to fair, accessible, and sustainable financial solutions.
FICOBANK is known for:
- Strong financial performance (No. 1 among cooperative banks per BSP)
- Award-winning service (Gawad PITAK Hall of Fame by Land Bank of the Philippines)
- Responsive banking solutions adapted to evolving client needs
- A wide reach across Luzon with community-based branches
- A dependable team of over 400 skilled employees
FICOBANK’s Mission and Market
FICOBANK focuses on providing banking services to a broad spectrum of the population:
- Core Market: Farmers, fishers, cooperatives, micro to medium enterprises, OFWs, and professionals.
- Specialized Market: High-net-worth individuals and corporate clients seeking larger financing options.
- Strategic Market: Underserved and unserved sectors often neglected by traditional banks.
FICOBANK offers personalized, community-based banking solutions tailored to meet local needs while maintaining modern banking conveniences.
Products and Services
Not only that, they also offer numerous products and services such as:
Deposit Products
FICOBANK offers a range of deposit accounts for every type of saver:
- Ordinary Savings Account
- Savings Account with Auto-Transfer
- Basic Deposit Account
- Time Deposit Account
- Smart Savings Account
- Bigtime Savings Account
- High-5 Time Deposit Account
- Batang Masinop Savers Club (BMSC) – a kid-friendly savings plan
- 5ingko-Sak2 Savings Account
- Pangarap Savings Account
- Checking Account
- Checking Account with Auto-Transfer
Loan Products
It also provides flexible financing to suit personal, business, and agricultural needs:
- Agricultural Loan
- Todo Ani Loan
- Bridge Financing for Onion Farmers and Traders
- Bridge Financing for Seed Growers
- Farm Machinery Financing
- Jewelry Loan
- Multi-Purpose Loan
- Professional Loan
- Todo Negosyo Loan
- Commercial Loan
- Truck Financing
- Standby Credit
- Check Rediscounting Line
- Kabayan Enterprise Loan
- Purchase of Receivables
Other Services
FICOBANK also offers:
- Interbranch deposits
- Online money transfers
- Western Union and GCash remittances
- Utility bills payment
- Cash-in/cash-out transactions
- Microinsurance
- Project i2i (digital rural banking initiative)
Who Can Join
Here’s a list of eligible potential members who can join FICOBANK:
As a Client-Member (Individual Account Holder):
- Farmers and fishers
- Rural and urban workers
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
- Professionals and self-employed individuals
- Micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs)
- General public seeking personal savings or loans
- Students (with valid school ID)
- Foreign nationals (with valid passport or ACR)
As an Institutional Member (Regular Member-Cooperative):
- Registered cooperatives, including:
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Marketing cooperatives
- Multi-purpose cooperatives
- Credit cooperatives
- Samahang Nayon (pre-cooperatives recognized by CDA)
- Must be legally registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and meet FICOBank’s membership requirements
Requirements
To become a member, the following requirements must be submitted:
For Individuals
- Valid ID issued by the following:
- Philippine government agencies
- Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs)
- BSP, SEC, IC-registered institutions
- PSA-issued ID under the PhilSys
- Additional accepted IDs:
- Passport or Alien Certificate of Registration (foreign nationals)
- School ID (students, signed by the school principal)
- Other verifiable documents for low-risk customers
For Corporations, Cooperatives, and Other Entities
- Certificate of Registration from:
- DTI (sole proprietorship)
- SEC (corporations and partnerships)
- CDA (cooperatives)
- BSP (for money changers and remittance agents)
- Other Required Documents:
- Articles of Incorporation/Partnership/Cooperation
- Latest General Information Sheet (GIS)
- Cooperative Performance Report with CDA acknowledgment
- Board Resolution authorizing account signatory
- For foreign entities: documents authenticated by consulate or official authority
For Loan Application (Individual)
To apply for a loan, submit the following:
- Barangay Clearance
- 2×2 ID photo (of both spouses, if applicable)
- Community Tax Certificate (Sedula) (of both spouses, if applicable)
How to Join FICOBank
Here are the steps to become a FICOBANK member:
Becoming a Client-Member with a 5ingko-Sak2 Savings Account
To join as a client-member and FICOBANK saver, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Become an Associate Member of FICOBank
- Subscribe to at least one Preferred “C” Share (minimum Php1,000.00).
Step 2: Open a 5ingko-Sak2 Savings Account
- Prepare a minimum deposit and make sure to maintain an ADB of Php100,000.00 (this is also the required maintaining balance).
Step 3: Start Saving and Earning
- Your deposit will earn high interest (between 2% to 5% per year), based on your average daily balance.
- Interest is compounded and credited every quarter.
- You can withdraw up to five times per month.
- Dividends may also be given for your Preferred Share subscription.
Becoming an Institutional Member
To become a regular institutional member of FICOBANK, cooperatives must undergo a selection and approval process through the bank’s governing board. Currently, FICOBANK has 104 regular institutional members and over 85,000 depositing and borrowing clients, reflecting its strong support base and reputation in the cooperative banking community.
FICOBANK Through the Years
FICOBANK has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in Cauayan, Isabela. After opening its first branch in Roxas, Isabela in 1995, it has since expanded into multiple regions. Its steady growth demonstrates its capacity to serve and respond to changing local economic conditions.
From the 1970s’ Samahang Nayon foundation to becoming a top-ranked cooperative bank, FICOBANK continues to evolve while staying true to its community-first mission. Its tagline—“Ang bangkong pinagtibay ng panahon”—reflects this legacy of endurance, growth, and local trust.
Video: FICOBank Wise Investment
Whether you’re a farmer, an entrepreneur, an OFW, or a cooperative looking to partner with a trusted financial institution, the First Isabela Cooperative Bank (FICOBANK) offers relevant, inclusive, and dependable banking services across Luzon. With decades of experience, a growing branch network, and community-based values, FICOBANK remains a solid choice for Filipinos seeking practical banking solutions grounded in cooperative values. Watch this video to learn more:
Contact Information
For inquiries and other concerns, you may reach out to them via the following:
First Isabela Cooperative Bank (FICOBANK)
- Call: (078) 307-2675 / 307-3364 / 307-0051
- E-mail: customercare@ficobank.com
- Skype: ficobank.bdd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FICOBank.PH
- Visit: FICOBank branch near you (list available here: https://ficobank.com/contactus.htm)