The business of trust

As Metrobank marks its 59th anniversary, the Bank expresses its eagerness to continue making meaningful strides towards the economic recovery of the Philippines.

According to Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee, this milestone is attributed to the Bank’s “institutional wisdom,” gained from past experiences in dealing with crises: “We’ve been through good times and bad times with our Metrobankers, investors, and our customers. And in those times, we learned a great many lessons. We endured and we learned how we can move forward.”

While the past year has been challenging for all financial institutions, 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 capital adequacy ratio at 20.4% and liquidity coverage ratio at 262%. Consolidated assets stood at PhP2.5 trillion at the end of June 2021, making Metrobank the country’s second largest private universal bank.

“We have learned that when you are geared for the downside and are able to recover quickly from this, you too will be most ready for growth when the economy starts growing again. Thus, we are entering our prime age of 59 ready to support our country’s path back to growth in 2022 with the strongest capital base, highest liquidity and best asset quality we have had even before pre-pandemic times. We are well prepared to support the growth of our customers, our economy in the next decades to come, and make each contribution more meaningful to the generations that follow,” President Dee concluded.

A celebration of partnerships

Simple yet meaningful—this characterized how Metrobank commemorated its 59th anniversary milestone. Notwithstanding the distance and challenges of the ongoing pandemic, the Bank was able to bring people together virtually to share in these special moments.

As part of tradition, Metrobankers welcomed the anniversary month gathered in prayer and gratitude in a virtual Thanksgiving Mass. This was followed by the annual Service Awards, a ceremony that recognizes outstanding Metrobankers for their good performance and years of service.

“The wellspring of wisdom, grit and malasakit, which is the foundation of Metrobank’s strength, is its people. You my dear service awardees and all of us Metrobankers are the foundation of our Bank’s strength,” affirms President Dee in a speech during the virtual awarding ceremony.

Passion for nation-building

Metrobank also flourishes in a culture founded on malasakit. Through its philanthropic arm, the Metrobank Foundation (MBFI), the Bank is able to fulfill its role of being an active participant in the pursuit of nation-building. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than PhP346 million pesos have been released towards various pandemic aid programs.

In addition, MBFI recently awarded PhP1 million pesos each to ten Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos who exemplify excellence and service in the academe, military and police sectors. This reward can further aid the awardees as they continue to pursue their respective causes for the common good.
Guided by the principle “Beyond Excellence”, the prestigious awards program hopes to inspire more Filipinos to go above and beyond the call of duty to serve the nation. “As a community held together by hope and resilience especially during these turbulent times, may we derive inspiration from the awardees’ example,” says Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña.

This recognition of exemplary public servants has been part of MBFI’s thrust for excellence since 1985. To date, a total of 685 Outstanding Filipinos has been honored by the program.

The Metrobank Group, through MBFI and GTFI, continues to support socio-civic and non-government organizations with the George S.K. Ty Grants Turnover. As part of Metrobank’s 59th anniversary, PhP15 million worth of grants was extended to 12 partner organizations whose programs are aligned with the thrusts of the Foundation in health, education, livelihood and sustainable feeding.

For their part, Metrobank employees nationwide shared their heart for community through the #MeaningfulAnniversaryChallenge, which will run on its second year. In 2020, over 14,000 Metrobankers chose to share their anniversary meal allowance to benefit the communities hit by the pandemic. With the combined donations from the employees and the Bank, PhP4.5 million was raised, which provided 90,000 meals for the beneficiaries of the Kindness Kitchens of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

We are not here solely for business. The Bank is here to do good, to help other people, and to help the country. It is our responsibility to give back to society and to contribute to nation-building.

— Dr. George S.K. Ty

For Metrobank, the words and vision of its late Founder and Group Chairman, Dr. George S.K. Ty, still ring true until this day as the Bank enters the dawn of a new decade.

Tags: 2021 News