BDO Unibank, Inc. | Banco De Oro | BDO Philippines

11-16-11 BDO Private Bank wins award from The Asset

HONG KONG-based investment journal The Asset has named BDO Private Bank (BDOPB) the Best Private Bank in the Philippines in the recently concluded The Asset Triple A Awards 2011.

According to The Asset, the award is given to financial institutions that provided the most appropriate advice to high net worth clients; the most experienced relationship managers; and, the best range of products. The growth in business whether measured by assets under management, net new money and revenues, and the investments made in the business despite difficult markets, were also taken into consideration.

BDOPB, a wholly owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank, Inc., is known for its “open architecture” platform that addresses the varied needs and objectives of clients in building up their wealth.

“Backed by the financial strength of our parent BDO Unibank, we are presented with a unique opportunity which we continue to build on to develop the domestic private banking business. Our open architecture platform, bespoke services and focus on deepening client relationships earned the loyalty and continued trust of our clients,” said BDOPB president Josefina N. Tan.

Shown in photo (from left) are BDOPB officers Gamalielh Benavides and Juan Sabino Lizares, who received the award on behalf of the bank.

11-13-11 BDO Capital leads signing of facility agreement with FPHC

First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPHC) recently signed a P4.8-billion corporate notes facility agreement with BDO Capital and Investment Corp. (as sole arranger) and four other banks, namely, BDO Unibank, Inc., Maybank Philippines, Inc., Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and Union Bank of the Philippines.

Shown in photo are (standing from left) Peter Ismael F. Quiambao, FVP Union Bank; Manuel A. Castaneda III, SVP-Maybank; Manuel G. Bosano III, VP - Maybank; Antonino A.S. Fajardo, FVP-UBP; Adora A. Yanga, SAVP-BDO; Cynthia C. Hilario , AVP-BDO; Susan Marie J. Atienza, VP-BDO.

Seated (from left) are Joseph B. Lledo, VP-BDO; Edmundo S. Soriano, EVP- BDO; Francis Giles B. Puno, EVP-FPHC; Elpidio L. Ibanez, president&COO- FPHC; Eduardo V. Francisco, president- BDO Cap, Eleanor M. Hilado-SVP, BDO Cap; Michael O. De Jesus, First SVP- RCBC Capital.

11-03-11 BDO 9M11 income at P7.6 billion

Banco De Oro Unibank, Inc. (BDO) reported a net income of P7.6 billion for the first nine months of 2011, up 19 percent compared to the P6.4 billion it earned in the same period last year.

The Bank managed to post a record performance despite the difficult operating environment here and overseas. BDO will continue to maintain cautious stance due to the current economic developments in Europe and in the U.S.

BDO’s lending operations posted above-industry growth rates, with gross customer loans growing 24 percent to P620.8 billion compared to a 19% growth rate for the industry. All market segments registered good growth compared to last year. Total deposits increased 15 percent to P820.6 billion, buoyed by low-cost deposits generated from an expanded branch network. System liquidity however, continued to compress asset yields, and net interest income improved slightly to P25.7 billion.

Recurring fee-based income from service businesses however rose 17 percent to P8.8 billion, driven by strong growth from asset and wealth management, payments and electronic banking, insurance and capital markets. The Bank also managed to post a 16 percent increase in trading and foreign exchange gains to P5.1 billion despite the volatile external market conditions. Overall, non-interest income including other miscellaneous income went up by 16 percent to P15.3 billion.

Operating expenses grew moderately at 5 percent to P 27.0 billion as the Bank contained expense growth at manageable levels. As such, pre-provision operating profit rose 10% from last year.

Despite the growth in the Bank’s balance sheet, asset quality improved with the gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio dipping to 3.9 percent from 4.7 percent as of year-end. BDO also maintained its provisioning by setting aside P5.1 billion year-to-date, bringing its NPL coverage ratio now to 108 percent.

BDO’s capital position was stronger with Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) rising to 15 percent following a P8.5 billion Tier 2 issue in June. BDO issued an additional P6.5 billion worth of Tier 2 Notes in October 2011 to further supplement the Bank’s capital position and complete its P15 billion capital program.

The interim results led to enhanced shareholder returns, with an annualized Return on Common Equity of 11.8 percent.

10-13-11 Baker king shares unique banking experience

In a recent forum for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), The French Baker founder and chief executive JohnLu Koa (in photo) talked about the importance of having a solid bank as a partner. “It is always good to have a strong backing of a bank to make our business grow. I invested a relationship with BDO like a friend. It pays attention to you, at what you do, and at your potential. All these years, my relationship with BDO has been instrumental because it looks after you and has enough resources to help you plan,” he said.

09-20-11 BDO to issue additional Tier 2 Notes

Banco De Oro Unibank, Inc. (“BDO”) announced plans to issue approximately Php 3 billion worth of Peso-denominated Unsecured Subordinated Notes qualifying as Tier 2 capital (“T2”). This will be BDO’s second offering of T2 notes in 2011, following the successful issuance of Php 8.5 billion in June 2011, and will form part of the Php 15 billion T2 program earlier approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The additional T2 notes will be used to supplement the Bank’s capital position and support its business expansion plans.

The T2 notes will carry a tenor of 10 years and 3 months from issue date, and will have a call option exercisable by the Bank after five years, subject to prior BSP approval. The indicative coupon rates will be based on the prevailing 10-year PDST-F benchmark, and will be finalized at the end of the offer period. Interest will be paid quarterly and will be tax exempt for individual investors if held for more than 5 years. The offer period is from 20 - 30 September 2011, with the issue date tentatively set for 7 October 2011. BDO reserves the right to upsize the issue and adjust the timing and terms of the offer as needed.

Deutsche Bank AG, Manila Branch, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and Standard Chartered Bank are acting as Joint Lead Arrangers and Selling Agents for the transaction. Other selling agents are BDO Private Bank, Inc. and Multinational Investment Bancorporation.

07-29-11 BDO receives awards from FinanceAsia

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) took home three awards from FinanceAsia, one of the region’s leading financial publications: The Philippines’ Best Bank, Best Investment Bank, and Best Private Bank.

In photo are (from left) Jonathan Cua, senior vice president, BDO Private Bank (BDOPB); Erlaster Sotto, SVP, BDO Capital and Investment Corp. (BDO Cap); Eduardo Francisco, president BDO Cap; and Martin Ordonez, FVP, BDOPB.

07-29-11 BDO is Phil’s no. 1 bank – The Banker

BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) retained its rank as the Philippines’ top bank based on The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks 2011 annual survey. Worldwide, BDO occupied the 383rd spot, climbing 13 notches from its previous world ranking of 396.

The rankings are based on the definition of Tier 1 capital as prescribed by Basel's Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Tier 1 capital includes loss-absorbing capital, disclosed reserves, retained earning and minority interests in the equity of subsidiaries that are less than wholly owned.

BDO, which provides industry-leading corporate, retail, investment banking and insurance services, is a recipient of various accolades from both local and international award-giving bodies, including Euromoney, FinanceAsia, Asiamoney and Wall Street Journal.

07-26-11 Yokohama taps BDO as retirement fund trustee

TIRE manufacturing firm Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. (YTPI) has selected BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) as trustee and investment manager of its employees' Defined Benefit Retirement Fund.

The retirement trust agreement between the parties was sealed in a signing ceremony recently held at the YTPI office in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Present during the signing were (standing from left) YTPI accounting section manager Lorna Cervantes, BDO trust business development specialist Catherine Alvarado, BDO-institutional banking group (IBG) Japan Desk Charlene Gabasa, BDO trust business development officer, Bernadette Sevillano, BDO Clark-SEZ Centennial branch head Ric Datu(seated from left): YTPI AVP - administration division Angelina Casasola, YTPI corporate planning department head Marilou Peniano, YTPI EVP - administration division Tadaharu Yamamoto, YTPI outgoing EVP Tomohiro Yoneko, SVP- BDO trust and investments business development unit head Noel Andrada and BDO japan desk head Tsuguhisa Tanaka.

07-14-11 TPLEX successfully completes financial closing

THE Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway (TPLEX) project, one of the country's most important infrastructure undertakings to date, has wrapped up its financial closing, with BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) providing the bulk of its debt component.

The financial closing was formalized through the recent signing of the P11.5-billion term-loan facility among the lenders and the project's proponent Private Infra Dev Corp. (PIDC), an all-Filipino consortium led by Rapid Thoroughfares, Inc., DMCI Group and D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. Apart from BDO, the other participating banks were Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines.

The TPLEX project, with an estimated cost of P19 billion, is being undertaken via a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract between the government -- through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) -- and PIDC. It is an 88.58-kilometer (km), two-lane travel way (with provisions for widening) traversing from La Paz, Tarlac to Rosario, La Union. Once completed, it will reduce significantly the current travel time from Manila to Baguio.

Phase 1 or the construction of the two-lane travel way would be completed in five years.

"TPLEX is a momentous project because it has many firsts to its credit. It is the first all-Filipino owned public-private partnership (PPP) project; the first PPP project funded by all-Filipino banks; and, the first toll road project under the PPP that completed its financial close," said BDO president Nestor V. Tan.

Shown in photo are representatives from the banks and proponents of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway (TPLEX) project. Seated second row (from left): Ed Francisco, president, BDO Capital & Investment Corp.; Joseph Pineda, SVP-Deputy CFO San Miguel Corp (SMC).; Samson Lazo, president, Private Infra Dev. Corp. (PIDC); Jorge Consunji, president/COO DMCI; Francisco Del Rosario Jr., president, Development Bank of the Phils., David Consunji, chairman, DMCI Holdings, Inc.; Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson; Ferdinand Constantino, SVP/CFO, SMC; Nestor Tan, president, BDO; Isidro Consunji, president, DMCI Holdings, Inc.; Gilda Pico, president/CEO Land Bank of the Phils. (LBP); Rogelio Murga, chairman, PIDC; Walter Wassmer, SEVP, BDO; Delfin Wenceslao Jr., president, D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc.

Seated first row (from left): Susan Atienza, VP, BDO; Jose Amado Angeles, VP, J.V. Angeles Construction Corp.; Anthony Fernandez, president, First Balfour, Inc.; Gerardo Pancho, president and GM, C.M. Pancho Construction; Susan Prado, SVP, DBP; Antonio Evangelista, chairman/CEO, New Kanlaon Construction, Inc.; Myra Reinoso, CFO, PIDC; Noelito Policarpio, president, R.D. Policarpio & Co., Inc.; Cecilia Borromeo, EVP, LBP; Augusto Manalo, president/COO, J.E. Manalo & Co. Inc.; John Bautista, president, Rockford Development Corp.; Roberto Jose Castillo, president, EEI Corp.; and Cynthia Hilario, AVP, BDO.

07-12-11 MoneyGram now offers remittance direct to BDO account

BENEFICIARIES with accounts in BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) can now receive remittances straight to their bank accounts following a recent agreement with MoneyGram, a leading worldwide money transfer company.

The said service would soon be launched in MoneyGram locations worldwide to heighten convenient access and allow beneficiaries to receive remittances the fastest way possible. Apart from offering credit to BDO account in MoneyGram outlets, money senders may also remit online through www.emoneygram.com.

Once the money has been credited to a BDO account, the client may claim his/her remittance from any of the more than 1,400 BDO ATMs or from over 10,000 Expressnet, Megalink and Bancnet ATMs nationwide. Clients may also withdraw over the counter from about 730 BDO branches all over the country, with some open even on weekends and holidays. For those who don’t have BDO accounts yet, applying for one is very easy as all they have to do is to open with only P50 initial deposit and they may start receiving remittances through their BDO peso account.

The partnership for the credit to account service is a milestone for both companies. BDO is the only Philippine bank exclusively accredited by MoneyGram for its credit to bank account in the country. For MoneyGram, the said service marked its first foray in the Asia-Pacific market. The global firm, with a huge network of 233,000 local agents across 191 countries and territories, recognizes the Philippines as one of the most important remittance markets in the world.

06-17-11 BDO presents once in a lifetime spectacle in Cirque du Soleil

AN ensemble of world-class performers in one astonishing show and a leading bank best known for its innovative products and services. Together, they will create a thrilling experience unparalleled by the others.

BDO Unibank, Inc. will co-present the staging of Cirque Du Soleil’s Varekai in the Philippines, one of the world’s best circus performances, to date. The much-anticipated touring show will happen in Rizal Park Grounds, Manila, and will run from June 22 to July 24, 2011.

“BDO and Cirque du Soleil share common denominators -- creativity, strength and flexibility. We provide the best products and services to our clients, and Cirque always gives the audience the best performance there is. The combination is indeed a great fit,” the Bank said.

Valued Bank clients will get the chance to enjoy the top-notch show during the “Special BDO Night”. And throughout Varekai’s month-long run, special door prizes will be exclusively given to BDO customers. Non-BDO clients are also welcome to visit the BDO booth for special treats.

Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian Entertainment Company that produces dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment since the early 80s. Each show is a fusion of circus styles from around the world, with its own central theme and storyline. Over the years it has expanded, going from one show to 19 shows in over 271 cities on every continent except Antarctica.

Some of Cirque’s famous shows and still running worldwide are Saltimbanco, Mystere, Alegria, Zumanity, Love, Viva Elvis and O. For its Manila show, Cirque du Soleil will amaze the audience with Varekai (pronounced ver-ay-kie which means wherever in the Romany language of the gypsies), a captivating story that tells the adventures of a young man who descended from the sky into the world searching for a place or realm called Varekai.

Magnificent costumes, awesome backdrops, and never before seen movements that challenge the limits of space and time all come together in a class act that Filipino viewers have yet to witness and will never forget. The Philippines is the third Asian country to host the show, following Taipei and Seoul.

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