Asia United Bank Corp. secured shareholder approval to nearly quintuple its authorized capital stock to ₱72.5 billion, laying the groundwork for broader push into digital payments and expanded lending operations

During a Special Stockholders’ Meeting held Aug. 28, 2026, AUB reported that investors voted to amend the lender’s articles of incorporation, raising the capital threshold from ₱14.7 billion.

The expansion, however, remains subject to regulatory clearance.

Shareholders also cleared a 100 percent stock dividend. The distribution will satisfy the 25 percent subscription and paid-up capital requirement required to execute the capital stock increase, the bank said. Official record and payment dates will be fixed after regulators sign off on the plan.

The capital injection is designed to give the mid-sized lender the financial leeway to scale up its commercial and consumer lending portfolios while deepening its footprint in financial technology.

AUB has been building out its digital ecosystem, concentrating on its core e-wallet infrastructure and cross-border payment platforms.

“The approval of our capital expansion marks a pivotal moment for AUB,” Abraham T. Co, AUB chairman, said. “Supported by our strong financial results, low cost of funds, and robust asset quality, we are laying the groundwork for sustained, long-term profitability.”

Manuel A. Gomez, AUB chief executive officer, meanwhile, pointed to changing market conditions as the primary driver behind the aggressive digital push.

“As financial landscapes rapidly evolve, we are doubling down on expanding our digital ecosystem by embedding cutting-edge technology into every facet of our operations,” Gomez said, adding that the goal is to secure new growth corridors and sustain technology-led profit momentum.

The capital expansion follows strong earnings performance through the first half of 2026. AUB recorded a net income of ₱6.19 billion for the six-month period, underpinned by double-digit growth across its core banking activities.

Total operating income climbed 10 percent year-on-year to ₱12.32 billion, fueled by a 14.9 percent gain in net interest income to ₱10.11 billion. Total loans and receivables expanded 10 percent to ₱281 billion over the same period. (James A. Loyola)