Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. (SMFG), through Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co. Ltd. (SMFL) is acquiring a 30-percent equity stake in RCBC Leasing and Finance Corp. (RLFC) of Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), RCBC said it has entered into an agreement for the purchase of the interest in RLFC through a third-party share issuance. It did not disclose the acquisition price.
“This new partnership brings together SMFL’s knowledge and expertise from its global presence with RLFC’s operations and RCBC’s local network to more effectively capitalize on the various opportunities arising from the Philippines’ strong economy,” the bank said.
It added that, “This transaction also aligns with the multi-franchise strategy of SMFG, which seeks to solidify [its] presence in high-growth areas such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines by establishing new business bases in these areas.”
Both SMFL and RLFC are working together toward the execution of definitive transaction agreements. This will be contingent upon the terms and conditions outlined in those agreements, as well as the approval of relevant regulatory bodies.
In 2023, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), a wholly owned subsidiary of SMFG, acquired an additional 15-percent stake in RCBC, bringing its total share to 20 percent.
SMBC, the commercial banking arm of SMFG, is one of the largest banks in the world with presence in approximately 40 countries.
The ₱27-billion capital infusion reinforced RCBC’s growth trajectory, particularly in its core businesses in the corporate, small and medium enterprise (SME), and retail segments.
The transaction increased SMBC’s shareholding in RCBC from 4.999 percent to 20 percent through the combined sale and subscription of 382.06 million RCBC shares.
The transaction involved the sale to SMBC of 213.44 million common stock held as treasury shares in the bank, and the issuance to SMBC of 168.62 million new common stock, at a price of ₱71 per share.