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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider How Metrobank and First Metro help build capital opportunities for their clients

How Metrobank and First Metro help build capital opportunities for their clients

Building legacy and unlocking value:

By MBrand
Published Jul 15, 2025 01:30 pm
For decades, Philippine entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses have grown steadily — cautiously expanding, reinvesting profits, and keeping leadership within the family. But today, business moves faster, competition is fiercer, and opportunities stretch beyond traditional limits.
The new generation of founders and next-generation leaders is building for scale, embracing transparency, and looking to the public market. Yet the journey to an initial public offering (IPO) requires more than ambition — it demands resilience, governance, and readiness for investor and regulatory scrutiny.
At a recent forum hosted by Metrobank and its investment banking arm, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC), these themes took center stage. Titled “Your Journey to Higher Value,” the event gathered select clients to share insights on how to approach an IPO and the opportunities it presents.
FMIC President Anthony R. Ocampo emphasized, “The decision to take your company public is a transformative undertaking, one that needs meticulous planning, seamless execution and a dedicated advisor with a support team.”
Metrobank and FMIC serve as that trusted team. With Metrobank’s over 60 years of banking experience and FMIC’s capital markets expertise, they strengthen a company’s credibility throughout the listing process. FMIC, one of the country’s top and multi-awarded investment banks, leverages on strong local and international investor relationships to help companies achieve broad market exposure and strong investor demand during their IPO.
Whether working with fast-growing startups, expanding family firms, or businesses looking to diversify their capital, Metrobank and FMIC offer tailored strategies to maximize valuation and market positioning.
Why go public?
The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. Executive Vice President and COO Atty. Roel A. Refran, who was a keynote speaker during the event, stressed that an IPO offers more than capital — it benefits employees and, from a strategic point of view, makes the business more sustainable for the long-term. “You can align your employees with your interest through stock ownership or purchase plans, but ultimately, going public allows your company to evolve and undergo a transformation in a lot of ways from a private to a publicly listed company with public investors who are now equity owners of the listed company,” he said.
FMIC SVP and Head of Products and Markets Abby Buenviaje explained, “Do we stay a private company or do we take the leap forward and go public?’ An IPO is not just a financial event, it’s about a transformation. It’s about unlocking value, accelerating growth, and cementing your legacy.”

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