Metrobank tops PH’s wealth management business By LEE C. CHIPONGIAN The Ty-controlled Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank), the country’s fourth biggest financial institution, is further marking its territory as the bank for the “ultra-high-net-worth” clients. In catering to the Filipino affluent families, head of Metrobank Private Wealth Division, Lizette Perez, said on Wednesday, April 5 that their “dynamic and holistic approach” is key to financial and wealth management. “At the core, our purpose has always centered on enabling our clientele to fulfill their goals and maximize opportunities in front of them, through financial strategies tailor-made for each client and their respective families,” said Perez in a statement. For the second year in a row, Metrobank bagged the Asiamoney 2023 Best Domestic Private Bank in the Philippines and also named the Best Bank for the Ultra-High-Net-Worth clients. The bank’s Private Wealth team was established in 2016. Perez said despite the challenging market conditions last year, they were able to “deliver exceptional results”. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment in becoming the best partner and most trusted financial advisor for Filipino affluent families. With this, we’re proud to say that our clients remain in good hands,” she added. Asiamoney noted that Metrobank during the pandemic, was able to retrain its relationship managers by going through stringent certification and other training programs which further improved the quality and efficiency of its treasury and trust, basic derivatives, cash management, loans packaging, and consumer lending. “On top of Metrobank’s top-notch pool of relationship managers, Asiamoney also recognized that this significant growth of the business was fueled by the bank’s strategic efforts to leverage its extensive branch banking network for targeted acquisition, and innovative financial solutions. These resulted in improved client coverage and service delivery,” said Metrobank. Last year, the Ty-owned bank posted a 48 percent year-on-year net income growth of P32.8 billion, boosted by higher loan demand, net interest margin, and improved consumer lending. The bank as of end-2022 also had assets of P2.8 trillion while total equity was at P318.5 billion.