Metrobank is the Best Domestic Bank in the Philippines

 

 

Surviving through the economic backlash brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is a feat in itself. By doing the spadework and adjusting to the demands of a changed world, many financial institutions continue to grapple with the ongoing pandemic. However, it takes a special kind of fortitude to not just survive, but to thrive and grow in these unprecedented times.

 

The Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2021 recognized this fortitude in Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank), and fittingly hailed them as the “Best Domestic Bank in the Philippines”.

 

“Metrobank is a firm to be reckoned with in the Philippines,” said Asiamoney Editor Rashmi Kumar. “What stands out with Metrobank is its sheer resilience during tough times, including all the uncertainty caused by the pandemic over the past eighteen months,” she added.

 

Kumar further pointed out Metrobank’s status as one of the country’s foremost universal banks, offering a diverse stable of business and products for a range of clients while showing strong growth year after year.

 

Metrobank credited its resilience to the lessons they learned from surviving the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, a similar event that also left the economic backdrop in shambles. “Drawing from our experience back then, our mantra this time is to be proactive at the onset of a crisis so we can quickly get our feet back on the ground,” said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee. The Bank pursued a prudent risk management strategy, ensured strong capital levels, and kept a healthy balance sheet with best-in-class asset quality metrics.

 

Dee further enumerated some of the bank’s key strategies that made them emerge and grow amid an economic downturn. “True to our meaningful banking promise, we first focused on what, or who, meant the most to us: the customers,” he beamed.

 

At the first signs of a possible economic downturn, the Bank immediately reached out to their clients, providing them with alternative access to banking services through digital technology, evaluating and providing advice to manage their financial health and conducting several webinars including a fraud awareness campaign to help protect customers.

 

Metrobank pursued a prudent and proactive approach in managing its portfolio to protect asset quality, and sustain long term profitability and capital strength.

 

Despite an economic downturn, the Bank managed to grow its low cost current and savings accounts (CASA) grew 22% to PhP1.3 trillion, reflecting the Bank’s solid deposit franchise and customer confidence in the Bank.

 

The bank also generated a 26% increase in pre-provisioning profits to PhP61.8 billion in 2020.  This enabled the Bank to set aside PhP40.8 billion in provisions, thus creating a solid buffer against potential risks from the pandemic. Metrobank’s proactive provisioning raised non-performing loan (NPL) cover to 163% from 103% in 2019, strengthening the Bank’s capacity to withstand asset quality pressures.

 

Metrobank believes its prudent approach in 2020 paved the way for a strong start this year, with net income growing 28% to PhP11.7 billion in the first half of 2021. Stable asset quality and superior capital ratios give the Bank a strong position to take on opportunities ahead.

 

The Bank also remains committed to the community. Through the combined efforts of Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation, Metrobank offered support for the needy and mobilized funds towards various pandemic aid programs.

 

“We are honored and humbled to be recognized as the Best Domestic Bank in the Philippines. It is indeed a great gift for us as we celebrate our 59th Anniversary,” Dee said. “We are merely doing what is second-nature to us: to provide meaningful services to our customers. Through their trust, even in the face of a financial crisis, we are motivated to always do what is best for all our stakeholders,” Dee concluded.

 

The Asiamoney Best Bank Awards 2021 is an annual ceremony that recognizes which banks in each market excel across a range of categories.

 

 

ABOUT METROBANK:

Metrobank is one of the strongest and well-capitalized banks in the country. The Bank believes that its robust capital position and balance sheet strength will provide ample support as it navigates through these uncertain times. Capital ratios are among the highest in the industry, with total CAR at 20.4% and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 19.5%. Consolidated assets stood at P2.5 trillion at the end of June 2021, making Metrobank the country's second largest private universal bank.

 

 

METROBANK AND GT CAPITAL HOLDINGS SUPPORT MCDONALD’S KINDNESS KITCHEN

McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen, a program supported by Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings, distributes meals to 750 individuals in Barangay 790 in San Andres, City of Manila on April 18, 2020.

Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Inc., through the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI), donated P2 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines in support of its ‘McDo Kindness Kitchen’ program aimed at providing free meals to 40,000 individuals in Metro Manila.

The first wave of distribution that ran from April 15-20 catered 9,000 individuals from the cities of Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Navotas and the municipality of Pateros. Each location was allocated with 3,000 meals to be strategically distributed to marginalized barangays recommended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The program will run to provide meals from April 21 to May 16.

The donation is part of the P200 million pledge by Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Group in support of the efforts to combat COVID-19.

*****

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). MBFI envisions to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development.  Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.

As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared-purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach and be at the forefront in serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.

GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) is a non-profit organization that serves as the family foundation of the Ty Family. Established in 2009, the Foundation has pursued the philanthropic initiatives of the family by investing in strategic development programs that empower communities and respond to the basic needs of the Filipino people, primarily in health, education, environment and technology and innovation.

From Passbook to Phone: Embracing the mobile banking lifestyle

The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed the way the world works. The need for social distancing and quarantine travel restrictions have made previously-straightforward tasks such as banking transactions far more challenging.

So what is the best way to cope? As in many cases, the use of available technology can make things a lot easier.

Metrobank, one of the country’s top banks, is actively encouraging all of its clients to transition to mobile banking. While their staff is ready and fully capable to serve clients face-to-face, online options have added a layer of safety amid the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Most banking tasks can now be done via your phone or computer, so you don’t have to go out and line-up to a teller to manage your finances. Here are just some of them, and their practical applications.

1.    Balance monitoring

You don’t have to go to your ATM or ask a teller to know how much money your accounts have. All you have to do is fire up your Metrobank Mobile App and you can see your balance in real-time.

You can even monitor your recent activities, both debit and credit, so you don’t have to guess if you really did or did not approve of certain transactions.

Apart from aiding financial discipline, this helps detect and prevent fraud.

2.    Fund transfers

Needless to say, the most fundamental transactions can be done online. Transferring money to another account, same bank or otherwise, can be done with a few taps or clicks.

In the case of the Metrobank Mobile App, all you have to do is put in the recipient’s Metrobank account number or their app-registered mobile number, the amount you need to send, confirm, and you’re done. The transfer is also reflected in real-time so the recipient won’t have to wait for a day or so before checking to confirm if they’ve received the funds.

You can also choose to enroll “Peer” accounts that you regularly send money to so you don’t have to always input their account number or mobile number. You can even schedule these transfers to happen automatically in a given period if you choose.

Sending money to other banks is also possible via InstaPay, which credits funds real-time, or PESONet. Fees for these transactions are waived during the ECQ when done using the Metrobank Mobile App.

This is especially useful if you’re looking to send money to help out friends and family, or paying for goods and services that you procured online.

3.    Bills payment

Even though malls and some payment centers are closed during the ECQ, the Bills Payment utility in the Metrobank Mobile App allows you to pay your bills directly from your bank account.

After enrolling the most common payable bills to your account (Meralco, PLDT, Globe, Smart, etc.) and selecting them, all you have to do is to enter the account details and amount due to complete your payment transaction.

4.    Cardless Withdrawal

In a situation wherein you need to withdraw cash but forgot to bring with you your ATM Card, you will find useful the Cardless Withdrawal feature in the Metrobank Mobile App.

Cardless withdrawal allows you to withdraw a certain amount from your account without having to use your ATM card in any of the 2,300 Metrobank Group ATMs.

To facilitate this feature, open the Metrobank Mobile App then simply key in the amount you wish to withdraw and a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) of your choice. The app will then provide you with a six-digit PIN that pairs with yours.

Once confirmed, go to the nearest Metrobank ATM or PSBank ATM, press ENTER in the ATM Keypad, key in the amount and the PINs, and the machine will dispense the requested amount.

Even before the ECQ, these mobile banking features have been available, but they are particularly useful during these times. One of the things that we can take from our current stay-at-home situation is to change our banking habits and transition into a more convenient and secure digital banking lifestyle.

To know more about the features of the Metrobank Mobile App, please visit the Metrobank website at metrobank.com.ph or Metrobank’s Facebook page at facebook.com/metrobank.

Metrobank is the country’s premier universal bank and has one of the largest domestic networks with over 950 branches and over 2,300 automated teller machines (ATMs) nationwide, and over 30 foreign branches, subsidiaries and representative offices. For inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications Department at 8-857-5526, or Investor Relations Department at 8-857-9783 and investor.relations@metrobank.com.ph. Or call the Metrobank 24/7 Customer Hotline at 8-870-0700, or log on to www.metrobank.com.ph. For provincial areas, call toll-free 1-800-1888-5775.

METROBANK and GT CAPITAL METROBANK HOLDINGS DONATE PHP 8 MILLION WORTH OF PPEs TO HOSPITALS IN METRO MANILA

City of Manila Vice Mayor Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan and Manila Police District Special Mayor's Reaction Team Head and 2017 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Police Officer Major Rosalino Ibay received the donation on the City’s behalf.

To support initiatives that will directly aid the fight against COVID-19, the Ty Family-led companies Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Inc., through the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) released PhP 8 million to fund purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to benefit healthcare frontliners.

Receiving the donations are representatives of  Lung Center of the Philippines 

PhP 5 million worth of  PPEs, which include hazardous material suits, face shields, N95 masks, gloves, and shoecovers, were donated to two (2) COVID-19 Referral Centers namely University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and Lung Center of the Philippines, each receiving 1000 sets. Another 2000 sets were donated to the City Government of Manila, through the Office of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, to cater to six (6) District Hospitals in the city namely Justice Abad Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Tondo, Sta. Ana Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center and Ospital ng Maynila. Through the efforts of the Xavier School Alumni Association, another PhP 3 million was given to support the operations of the San Juan Covid Kalinga Center which is the extension facility of the San Juan Medical Center.

The donation is part of the P200 million pledge by Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Group in support of the efforts to combat COVID-19.

2018 METROBANK FOUNDATION OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS NAMED: P1 MILLION AWAITS EACH AWARDEE

This year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos have been revealed during a press conference held on August 9 in Quezon City. As a career-service award for Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors—ten (10) Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos were presented, consisting of 4 teachers, 3 soldiers, and 3 police officers to the members of the media. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of PhP 1 million each (net of tax), a gold medallion, and a trophy.

Guided by the theme of “Beyond Excellence”, a Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino is recognized for rendering service above and beyond his/her call of duty. His/her accomplishments must have inspired and influenced their peers as well as the people in their respective communities. Their works must have transformed a community with a lasting positive impact on people and to the country.

For the award for teachers: (1) Mary Jane S. Ramo, Master Teacher II, Tonggo Elementary School (Tudela, Misamis Occidental); (2) Alma S. Janagap Ed.D., Master Teacher II, Pavia National High School (Pavia, Iloilo); (3) Aimee Marie C. Gragasin, Ph.D., Special Science Teacher V, Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley Campus (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya); (4) Carla B. Dimalanta, Ph.D., Professor X, University of the Philippines Diliman (Quezon City).

For the award for soldiers: (5) Major Francis Señoron PA, Assistant Division Chief, Logistics  Management Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, OJ4, Armed Forces of the Philippines (Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City); (6) Lieutenant Colonel Danilo Facundo PN(M), Director, Mobile Training and Exercise Unit, Marine Corps Force Development Center (Philippine Marine Corps, Taguig City); (7) Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ryan R. Seguin PA, Squadron Commander, 7^th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 5^th Fighter Wing, Basa Air Base Philippine Air Force (Floridablanca, Pampanga).   

And for the award for police officers: (8) Senior Police Officer 1 Aida Awitin, Assistant Police Community Relations Police Non-Commissioned Officer, Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office (Malita, Davao Occidental); (9) Police Senior Inspector Dennis Ebsolo, Ph.D., Chief of Police, Villanueva Municipal Police Station (Villanueva, Misamis Oriental); and (10) Police Senior Superintendent Pascual Muñoz, Ph.D., Chief, Supply Chain Management Division, Directorate for Logistics of the Philippine National Police (Camp Crame, Quezon City).   

“We again present 10 Outstanding Filipinos who embody the best in our people and are recognized for their steadfast commitment to inspire change for others to emulate,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña. “Their stories of triumph and resilience inspire us, as individuals and as a community, to strengthen our commitment to building a better future for our nation. It is our privilege to let their light shine so that many more may benefit from their example,” he continued.

The awardees underwent a rigorous selection process and were selected from hundreds of nominations. A Board of Assessors, composed of members from the government, academe, military, and media sectors, pre-determined the semi-finalists through document review. The accomplishments of the semi-finalists were field validated by third-party organizations, the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) and the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).  The field validation determined 19 finalists whose work has inspired and influenced their peers as well as the larger community with a lasting positive impact.

The 19 finalists were interviewed by a multi-sectoral Final Board of Judges chaired by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and co-chaired by Supreme Court of the Philippines associate justice Noel Tijam. The other members include: Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Menardo Guevarra; Makati City mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay-Campos; De La Salle Philippines president Br. Armin Luistro; Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) chairman Manuel Pangilinan; Rockwell Land, Inc. president and chief executive officer Nestor Padilla; and veteran journalist Ma. Teresa Vitug.

Joining the ranks of 655 outstanding public servants recognized by MBFI since 1985, the awardees will be honored during the formal conferment ceremonies on September 7, 2018 at the Metrobank Plaza, Makati City as part of Metrobank’s 56^th anniversary celebration.

*****

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). MBFI envisions to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development.  Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.

As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared-purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach and be at the forefront in serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.