As the country’s second biggest bank in asset size and considered as one of the most helpful and socially responsible institutions, the 60-year-old Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) remains to be a reliable, strong, and stable financial partner to its customers, employees, and the communities it serves.
Helping others has always been ingrained in Metrobank’s DNA. It was built “to do good, to help other people, and to help the country. It is the Bank’s responsibility to give back to society and to contribute to nation-building." The Bank’s growth through the years has magnified this responsibility to create positive ripple effects to all its stakeholders
Making banking available day-in, day-out
At a time when the world experienced a transition during the pandemic in terms of access to products and services, Metrobank’s “You’re In Good Hands” promise was made even more relevant. The Bank’s digitalization efforts accelerated, allowing it to address the banking needs of Filipinos despite the mobility restrictions caused by the lockdowns. Metrobank ensured its online platforms and hotlines were available 24/7. It likewise opened its over 940 consolidated branches nationwide to serve customers.
Its online platforms, Metrobank Online and Metrobank Mobile App, allowed users to conveniently and securely do online fund transfers, bills payment, and buy load, among others. The Metrobank Mobile App even had the Cash Pick-Up feature, allowing users to send up to P30,000 anywhere in the Philippines through its over 10,200 remittance partner outlets. As a result, the active user rate in the Bank’s online platforms rose to 87% as of end June this year, higher than the rate recorded before the pandemic.
Ensuring employees are in good hands
At the core of Metrobank’s operations are its employees. They hold the fort, allowing the Bank to have survived and served its customers for the past six decades. Thus, Metrobank ensures it cares for its employees and even their families.
At the height of the pandemic, providing them protection from COVID-19 was a priority. The Bank immediately rolled out its COVID-19 vaccination program, #VaxForMetrobankers, for employees and their families. It also started the MetrobankCARES project, a mental health and wellness program to support the mental and emotional health of Metrobankers amid various work-related and personal challenges. The Bank also had regular internal communication to its employees about their benefits. All financial benefits were also distributed during the pandemic to ensure they can secure their daily needs at home.
Moreover, a Metrobanker’s continuous career growth and personal development is a must for the company. The Bank continued its learning programs under the Metrobank Academy, an initiative allowing employees to take online classes on different aspects of banking and finance during the lockdowns. The Bank likewise encourages Metrobankers to level up their educational attainment. It has the Metrobank Employees Graduate Assistance Program which provides financial aid to employees who are taking up postgraduate studies.
Metrobank also hones future leaders of the Bank. Those who perform well are recognized and those who have potential for senior leadership go through a series of training to prepare them for bigger roles in the Bank.
Partner for Sustainability
Throughout Metrobank’s history, it has partnered with many clients that started off as small businesses and have eventually evolved into large successful enterprises. It is through these partnerships that the Bank is able to help fuel the country’s economic growth. Sustainability at Metrobank means helping accelerate national development by providing financial solutions that empower individuals and businesses in a way that balances short- and long-term interests, and integrates economic, environmental, and social considerations into decision-making.
The Bank has embedded sustainable practices in its business operations; supports local causes through its philanthropic arm, the Metrobank Foundation; and commits to the highest standards of corporate governance as it is in the business of trust.
As of end-2021, it generated P87 billion in economic value, of which P83 billion was distributed to key stakeholders. Its business operations likewise continued to stimulate economic activities. About P195 billion worth of commercial loans were used to spur trade activities and other industries’ business operations, while P194 billion of its commercial loans were funneled to the development of roads, highways, commercial properties, as well as IT and telecommunications. On the retail side, almost 10 million families have benefited from the Bank’s payroll and OFW remittance services.
Nurturing communities
For Metrobank, it is not all about the banking business. Its brand promise translates to pursuing meaningful service that cuts across the usual banking transactions. The bank’s philanthropic thrusts in contributing to human well-being and nurturing Filipino excellence are carried out by its corporate social responsibility arm, the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI).
Aligned with Metrobank’s core value of ‘Heart for Community,’ MBFI implements various programs on education, visual arts, health, and in the recognition of excellence among key professions. It also maintains a dynamic partnership with other organizations that likewise provide services for the underprivileged and marginalized sectors of society and remains responsive to aid survivors of natural calamities in the Philippines and in Asia through relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Since the start of the pandemic, the bank, under the MBFI and GT Foundation, has donated P346 million to various pandemic-related aid programs, which include PPEs for frontliners, testing kits, molecular laboratories, and assistance to community pantries nationwide.
Bank with a Heart
As testament to its commitment of being an institution with a heart, Metrobank recently received two prestigious accolades from The Asian Banker: the ‘Strongest Bank’ and the ‘Most Helpful Bank during COVID-19 in the Philippines and 10th in Asia Pacific.’ It cited the Bank's active participation in industry-wide efforts that help restart the economy safely by building consumer confidence and championing empowered vigilance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it recognized the Bank’s initiative to protect its customers' accounts as the use of digital transactions rose during the pandemic.
To know more about Metrobank, visit ingoodhands.metrobank.com.ph. Or follow its social media accounts on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/metrobank), Twitter (https://twitter.com/Metrobank), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/metrobank/).