What a year it has been for BPI


Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), headed by Jose Teodoro ‘TG’ Limcaoco, had a very remarkable 2021 despite pandemic conditions. Ma. Theresa Marcial, BPI’s CFO and CSO, explained that BPI’s success can be gauged by the numerous awards garnered by the bank from the regulators and various awards-giving bodies.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Institute of Corporate Directors grouped BPI (along with Ayala Corporation and Globe Telecom) among the “ASEAN Asset Class PLC at the 2019 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard Awards.” In addition, the Institute of Corporate Directors conferred on BPI the Golden Arrow Award.

The Global Finance Awards cited BPI for “Best Cash Management” and also as “Best Trade Finance Provider – Philippines.”

BPI Foundation was awarded the “Most Distinguished Corporate Partner” by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), for its contribution to PRC’s COVID-19 response operations.

An exchange-traded fund incorporated in the US cited BPI’s iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF. BPI is the only security in the Philippines to be included in the iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF, an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the US. The fund seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large and mid-capitalization emerging market equities that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index.

BPI was rated “A” by the MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) ESG Fund Ratings as of December 2020 report date. An MSCI ESG Rating is designed to measure a company’s resilience to long-term, industry material environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks.

Alpha Southeast Asia Best FI Awards 2021 rated BPI – “Best Trade Finance Bank in the Philippines” for the 7th consecutive year; BPI Family Savings Bank, headed up to effectivity of its merger last Jan. 1 by Ma. Cristina ‘Ginbee’ Go – “Best SME Bank in the Philippines,” it’s 8th win in 15 years; and BPI Capital headed by Rhoda ‘Chiqui’ Huang – “Best Investment Bank in the Philippines” for the third consecutive year.

Global Banking and Finance cited BPI for “Best Fintech Partnership.”

Institutional Investor ranked BPI fifth in All-Asia and third in Small and Midcap Only category for Best IR Program.

Global Finance Asia-Pacific cited BPI for “Outstanding Leadership in Resource Management Recognition.”

Vigeo-Eiris, part of Moody’s ESG Solutions, grouped BPI among the Best Emerging Market Performers in the Philippines.

Asiamoney cited BPI as “Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Philippines.”

Business Media International (BMI) included BPI among “2021 Best Companies to Work for in Asia.”

BPI and BPI Foundation bagged the “Conservation Leadership Award” in recognition of their forward-thinking initiatives and their active presence in four cities – Cabanatuan, Tagum, Tarlac and Calbayog, providing training, equipment, and support for farmers and fisherfolk, and advancing food and livelihood security in 24 communities across the country.

The International Finance Awards cited BPI AMTC, headed by Sheila Marie U. Tan, as “Best Asset Manager – Philippines" for path-breaking initiatives in corporate social responsibility or charitable activities, corporate governance and activities that benefit the global finance community, in addition to their outstanding performance in their respective fields.

The Asset Triple A Sustainable Investing Awards 2021 for Institutional Investor, ETF and Asset Servicing Providers named BPI AMTC as “Asset Management Company of the Year – Highly Commended (Philippines).”

Alpha Southeast Asia’s Fund Management Awards 2021 recognized BPI AMTC in three categories:

1. Best Overall Asset & Fund Manager in the Philippines (fifth win in six years)

2. Best Asset Manager (Fixed Income Funds and Equity Funds)

3. Best Fund Manager for Pension Mandates & Private Retirement Schemes

The aim of these awards is to recognize leading multi-asset fund management companies that provide solid and transparent investment process, secured risk management, proper investment accounting systems, quality investment research, advanced portfolio management and diversification, above par risk-adjusted returns, and overall long-term outstanding fund performance.

The CFA Society added its own awards to BPI AMTC, as follows:

1.Best Managed Fund the Year in the Dollar Equity Fund category (BPI Invest Global Equity Fund-of-Funds) – fifth consecutive win

2. Best Managed Fund of the Year in the Dollar Long-Term Bond Fund category (Odyssey Philippine Dollar Bond Fund)

The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2021 recognized BPI CAP, headed by Rhoda ‘Chiqui’ Huang, as follows:

“Best Green Bond” – Corporate for AC Energy Corporation US Dollars 400 million fixed-for-life green notes.

BPI CAP acted as the global coordinator, bookrunner and lead manager.

“Best REIT” for RL Commercial REIT 23.5 billion pesos IPO. BPI acted as the global coordinator, book runner, lead manager and lead local underwriter.

“Best Local Currency Green Bond” for Energy Development Corporation’s five billion pesos dual-tranche Asean green bond. BPI CAP acted as one of the issue managers, lead underwriters and bookrunners.

“Best IPO” for Monde Nissin’s 48.6 billion pesos IPO. BPI CAP acted as one of the domestic lead underwriters and bookrunners.

“Best Multi-Product Financing” for Cebu Pacific’s US$840 million capital raising and liabilities re-profiling.

BPI CAP acted as one of the financial advisers and mandated lead arranger and book runner.

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