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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider Metrobank Bond Fund named Best Managed by CFA Society

Metrobank Bond Fund named Best Managed by CFA Society

Published Apr 1, 2026 03:16 pm
Metrobank executives receiving the Best Managed Fund Award from CFA Society Philippines. From left: Edsel E. Abril, Metrobank Head of Channel Management Department; Ma. Cristina B. Gabaldon, Metrobank Head of Investment Management Division; Elaine B. Paiso, Metrobank Head of Pooled Funds Management Department; Christian Nero V. Porlas, Metrobank Head of Multi-Asset Investments Department
Metrobank executives receiving the Best Managed Fund Award from CFA Society Philippines. From left: Edsel E. Abril, Metrobank Head of Channel Management Department; Ma. Cristina B. Gabaldon, Metrobank Head of Investment Management Division; Elaine B. Paiso, Metrobank Head of Pooled Funds Management Department; Christian Nero V. Porlas, Metrobank Head of Multi-Asset Investments Department
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest private lender in the Philippines, received top honors for its investment management performance at the CFA Society Philippines’ annual awards, signaling the bank’s continued dominance in the local wealth management space.
The Metro-Dollar Short Term Bond Fund was named the Best Managed Fund during the Feb. 27 ceremony in Manila. The award underscores the bank’s ability to navigate volatile global markets while maintaining a disciplined approach to risk-adjusted returns. Unlike traditional performance metrics that focus solely on raw gains, the CFA Society’s methodology evaluates how effectively a fund balances yield against market volatility compared with its industry peers.
The recognition comes as Philippine banks compete more aggressively for retail investment flows amid shifting interest rate expectations. Metrobank’s Trust Banking Group has positioned itself as a defensive yet growth-oriented manager, focusing on capital preservation for clients facing a complex macroeconomic backdrop.
“This recognition affirms our commitment to disciplined investment management and to helping Filipino investors make their hard-earned funds work harder for them,” Ric Pedrosa, head of Metrobank’s Trust Banking Group, said in a statement. He added that the bank remains focused on strategies that balance stability and growth, allowing clients to pursue long-term financial goals despite market fluctuations.
The winning fund is structured to maximize returns on U.S. dollar holdings by investing in a diversified mix of dollar-denominated fixed-income securities and money market instruments. By maintaining a maximum weighted average portfolio duration of two years, the fund provides a middle ground for moderate investors who require liquidity but seek higher yields than those offered by standard savings accounts.
The Trust Banking Group’s strategy reflects a broader trend among Philippine financial institutions to offer more sophisticated products to a domestic market that is increasingly moving away from traditional deposits. Metrobank, which has long marketed its expertise in high-net-worth and institutional asset management, is leveraging these accolades to attract a wider base of retail investors looking for professional oversight of their foreign currency assets.
The award ceremony featured Metrobank’s senior investment leadership, including Ma. Cristina B. Gabaldon, head of investment management, and Elaine B. Paiso, who leads the pooled funds management department. The bank continues to direct prospective investors to its branch network and digital platforms as it seeks to expand its assets under management in the competitive local landscape.

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Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank)
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