BAP partners with Cisco to Strengthen Cybersecurity Skills in the Philippines' Banking Sector

The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) and Cisco, a worldwide leader in technology, have partnered to provide cybersecurity training to the commercial banking sector through Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration Program in the Philippines, UGNAYAN 2030. Banking professionals from across 13 of the leading banks in the country completed courses under the training program developed by Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world’s longest running IT skills-to-job program.

RCBC reveals “We believe in you” philosophy

Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation (RCBC), one of the leading universal banks in the Philippines, today unveils its new corporate logo and tagline “We believe in you,” which signals the start of a new era of providing excellent and trusted banking services for Filipinos.

“This milestone signals the arrival of a more committed, refreshed and re-energized RCBC, that is ready to meet the demands of the ever-changing Philippine banking industry,” said RCBC President and CEO Gil A. Buenaventura.

“We believe in you” is not just a tagline for RCBC, but a battle cry to show our unwavering support and trust to the indomitable Filipino spirit. At the same time, this new corporate thrust is meant to encourage Filipinos not only to dream, but to pursue their passions and dreams, and turn them into reality – whether it’s traveling to your dream destination, venturing into a new business, or purchasing a new home or car,” Buenaventura stressed.

I Still Have Finance Faith In Banks

As the economy progresses, more people are saving and investing their hard-earned money in banks. However, a lot has happened in the past few weeks that involved banks and their operations. It was alarming for the banks as well as the clients which caused major concerns and doubt with these institutions.

Another incident that happened recently is when a UnionBank employee was arrested for allegedly stealing P17 million from a UnionBank branch in Pasig City. The arrest was made after an unauthorized cash transfer from the bank's Ortigas Cash Center to its Caloocan Cash Center was discovered to allegedly cover-up the theft.

As the news came out in social media, there have been a lot of speculations and fears when it comes to banking. Many are now afraid of putting their savings in banks and were opted to keep them in their own hands. But this avoidance from dealing with banks is doing more harm than good.

BPI Gets More Exciting This Year!

We were at another meeting again with the people from BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) and they have more news with the new technologies and systems that is now being introduced to the public. From Online Banking, to the BEA Online and Kiosksand the Deposit Machines, they have launched their TVC and has garnered thousands to millions of views just days after its airing on national TV.

There’s No Escaping that Dream Car as BPI Family Auto Loan holds the Biggest Auto Madness Yet

What usually is held in just a week now happens month long! What is usually held in just one venue, you can now practically experience everywhere! And we are talking about that brand new car that you have been wanting to have. The biggest Auto Madness yet by BPI Family Auto Loan is set to happen nationwide, simultaneously in several venues and online via www.bpiautomadness.com. All because the demand to drive home that dream car continue to grow and the call for convenience continue to increase. So today, you will find every reason to finally bring home that dream car. You don’t have to throw practicality out the window; you just need to be smart enough to decide today, grab the opportunity, and make the most out of your hard earned money as BPI Family Auto Loan gives jaw-dropping offers in its maddest car sale yet, the month-long BPI Auto Madness!

Schedule Your Bank Appointments with BPI BEA Online!

Isn't a chore that we have to go to the bank when he handle our finances, like depositing withdrawing and other banking processes which takes a lot of time in the long waiting queues. I can actually attest to that feeling, especially when I would just like to do a simple deposit which would just take a minute with the teller, but would take longer when there is a line.

That would be one of the most fustrating thing when I go to banks, however BPI Express Online provides a great alternative to that problem. They have now made the BPI BEA (BPI Express Assist) Online where you can plot a scheduled appointment to a BPI or BPI Family branch.

BPI 2012 Net Income at P16.3 Billion

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) posted strong business volume and revenue growth in 2012 as the Philippines likewise grew at a faster pace compared to other Asean economies. BPI’s unaudited net income for full year 2012 reached P16.3 billion, a 27% increase over the P12.8 billion posted in 2011. This translated to a Return on Equity of 17.5% and a Return on Assets of 1.9%.

Total resources reached P985 billion or 17% higher than the previous year as the Bank’s core businesses remained solid. Deposits expanded by a healthy 18% to P802 billion while assets under management was P743 billion or 11% higher, bringing total intermediated funds to P1.5 trillion.

CTB Trustees pay courtesy call to BSP Governor

The incoming 2013 Board of Trustees of the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) recently made a courtesy call to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.  The CTB is the umbrella organization of the country’s thrift banks. The visit is in line with the 2013 CTB national convention slated on March 20 at Dusit Thani Manila with the theme:  “Thrift Banks: Building for Broader Horizons in 2013” where the Governor is among the guest speakers.

The meeting also highlighted discussions about the significant growth in the Philippine economy recently and positive outlook for more investments to be infused this 2013. The Chamber also introduced its new set of officers for the new fiscal year. 

Gov. Tetangco (seated, center); with (seated from left) CTB Auditor and Bataan Savings & Loan Bank President Lolita Simpao; CTB Trustee and University Savings Bank Director Ma. Consorcia Tamayo; CTB Convention Chair/Trustee and Isla Bank Chairman Jose Ma. Lopez-Vito III; CTB and BPI Family Savings Bank President Jose Teodoro Limcaoco; BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr.; CTB Secretary and Security Bank Savings President Gina Go; CTB Executive Director Suzanne Felix.  Standing are (from left): CTB Second Vice President and Malayan Savings Bank President George Martirez; CTB Treasurer and China Bank Savings President Alberto Emilio Ramos; CTB Immediate Past President and  HSBC Savings Bank President Patrick Cheng; CTB First Vice President and RCBC Savings Bank President Rommel Latinazo; CTB Trustee and Wealth Development Bank President Gregorio Anonas III; CTB Trustee and Queen City Development Bank President Rogelio Florete; CTB Trustee and Palawan Development Bank President Eric Mondragon; and CTB Consultant Benjamin Yambao. 

Consing to succeed Montinola as BPI president

At a meeting held last December 12, 2012, the Board of Directors of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) approved a succession plan recommended by its Nomination Committee and Personnel and Compensation Committee. Cezar P. Consing  will be nominated to succeed Aurelio R. Montinola III as President and CEO at the next organizational meeting of the Board immediately following the stockholders’ meeting scheduled on April 18, 2013.  This movement is in line with the traditional retirement practices in BPI and forms part of the normal succession process. 

EXCLUSIVE Perks for BPI Clients at the 2012 Manila International Auto Show

Aside from the FREE insurance with acts of nature coverage promo, BPI Family Auto Loan offers FREE entrance to BPI ATM and credit card holders on March 30, 2012 as it revs up for this year’s biggest motoring event, the 2012 Manila International Auto Show.

Dubbed as “BPI Day”, BPI card holders may proceed to BPI ticket booth upon arrival at the World Trade Center and present any BPI ATM, Credit card, or prepaid card to claim a FREE ticket to the MIAS while BPI ATM Gold card holders get a free entrance on all show dates. The 2012 Manila International Auto Show, slated to run from March 29 to April 1, 2012, is open from 10am to 10pm.

BPI Family Auto Loan makes Life in the Fast Lane EASY; presents 2012 Manila International Auto Show

For two years straight, BPI Family Auto Loan presents the country’s biggest motoring event, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), now on its 8th year. BPI Family Savings Bank has come on board to make this year’s theme, “Life in the Fast Lane”, easy for Filipinos, especially for BPI and BPI Family Savings Bank clients. The 8th MIAS is slated to run from March 29 to April 1.

“We see the continued interest of Filipinos to have their own cars. Our partnership with Worldbex Services International for the 8th Manila International Auto Show is in line with our commitment to make car ownership easy for Filipinos. With BPI Family Savings Bank at the MIAS, we can help you decide which car suits you best and provide 1 Year comprehensive insurance with acts of nature coverage – FREE for one year,” says David Sarmiento, Jr., SVP and Auto Loans Division Head. “This way, we also help Filipinos prepare for the unexpected and ensure that when typhoons, floods or other calamities hit, they are surely protected.” 

EastWest Bank Lookson a Great Yearand Looks Forward For A Greater One

Seventeen years since it first opened its doors to the public, EastWest Bank is now one of the country’s fastest growing and most profitable banking institutions.

The year 2011 was marked with performance milestones that have set the stage for a bigger and bolder 2012 for one of the country’s top performing banks.

From 2006 to 2011, EastWest Bank has displayed exceptional growth. In 2006, the bank registered total assets of P30 billion. As of last year, the bank has over P90 billion total registered assets which is a compounded annual growth rate of around 29 percent since 2006.

Last year, the bank made great strides in its core businesses which exhibited healthy growth. Unaudited figures as of December 2011 show that bank deposits grew by 16.9% year-on-year while corporate loans moved up 11.2% on the same period. The bank also saw a 24.9% year-on-year increase in consumer loans as of the last quarter of 2011. 

EastWest Bank new logo heralds corporate rebranding

EastWest Bank recently launched its new corporate signature signaling new levels in its corporate strategy and the transformation of its value proposition to one that will ring closer to its customers’ needs, encapsulated in the brand promise, “We make good things happen.”

The new brandmark is one of the results of months of in-depth brand assessment and audit by FutureBrand, the Singapore-based international branding expert commissioned by EastWest Bank. Its signature color is a light, fresh green symbolizing renewal and fresh growth, with purple and magenta rounding off the arrows. The colors are considered unique and a visual standout in a field of reds, blues and yellows typically favored by other financial institutions.

EastWest Bank president and CEO Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr. said “the new logo was created from two arrows representing the directions of the bank’s name, coming together to symbolize the relationship between bank and customer, in the heart of which good things happen. It also communicates our intent to become a world-class service provider, and our focus on customer benefits and aspirations consistent with our new brand tagline, ‘Your Dream. Our Focus.’”

EastWest Bank chairman of the board Jonathan T. Gotianun said “the rebranding exercise is part of our holistic effort to bring EastWest Bank to a higher level of performance, competitiveness and strength. It is not just about changing our logo or adopting new corporate colors. Our brand represents the value the bank delivers to our customers and our brand promise to them. We hope this rebranding effort will help focus our energies and align all our efforts consistently and more effectively towards delivering our brand promise to our customers.”

BPI takes Wealth Management into New Heights with Investment 3.0

As BPI celebrates its 160th year in the banking industry, they made another innovation to bring finance management into a new light and technology. On April 26, they introduced Investment 3.0. With the convenience of the internet and the security of its servers, this makes investors aim for great future stability with the help of Investment Councilors always available. 

Themed Investment 3.0, BPI Asset Management exhibits its latest innovation in the banking industry - BPI Investments Online, a new online facility through which the bank’s clients can maximize the use of internet to manage their assets, transact, and access their investment portfolio, without the restraint of time or place. 

Through BPI Investments Online, BPI enables customers to apply, inquire and transact investment funds via the internet platform. The project is part of the Bank’s commitment, through the Asset Management and Trust Group (BPI Asset Management), to educate and empower Filipinos on how they could build wealth through investments, thereby converting savers into savvy investors.


Clients can now enjoy the convenience of initiating investment transactions through the internet quickly, inexpensively, and virtually anytime, anywhere. With the launch of this online facility, investors can easily make transactions that would otherwise entail clients to visit their branch. Clients can now access portfolio information, explore further investment opportunities, subscribe to additional funds, redeem investments, and make regular contributions via the Regular Subscription Plan (RSP) at their utmost convenience.

AURELIO R. MONTINOLA III

President and CEO

Bank of the Philippine Islands

Mario T. Miranda

Vice President and Head of Wealth Management

Asset Management and Trust Group

MARIA THERESA MARCIAL JAVIER

Senior Vice President

Group Head and Chief Investment Officer

Asset Management and Trust Group

“With the onset of our 160th year in serving Filipinos, we are staying true to our tradition of leadership and technological innovation,” says SVP Maria Theresa Marcial-Javier, Group head and chief investment officer of BPI Asset Managment. “We continue to remain relevant and even one step ahead as we move toward technology that will make it easy for our clients to make their money work for them."

Ms. Javier adds, “We’ve migrated our investment facility online to take advantage of the pervasive internet technology that will empower our investor clients to transact anywhere at any time at their convenience. This frees up more of their precious time that could be spent on other important business agenda or with their families. Truly, growing and managing investment funds is easy with BPI Asset Management.”

Banking via the internet is getting more popular to investors for the ways it saves in time and costs. I am looking forward to make my investments in the future. It does pay to make organize investments to make us financially smart and secure.

To find out more about BPI’s Investments Online Facility and its services, interested parties may visit www.bpiassetmanagement.com, or visit any BPI branch near you.




photo credits from jeman villanueva.