Wikipedia

Bank of the Philippine Islands

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (Filipino: Bangko ng Kapuluang Pilipinas; Spanish: Banco de las Islas Filipinas, commonly known as BPI; PSE: BPI) is a universal bank in the Philippines. It is the first bank in both the Philippines and Southeast Asia.[2][3][4][5] It is the fourth largest bank in terms of assets, the second largest bank in terms of market capitalization,[6][7][8][9] and one of the most profitable banks in the Philippines.[10][11][12]

Bank of the Philippine Islands
Company typePublic
PSE: BPI
IndustryFinance
PredecessorsRobinsons Bank
BPI Family Savings Bank
Far East Bank and Trust Company
Prudential Bank (Philippines)
Citytrust Savings Bank
Commercial Bank and Trust Company
People's Bank and Trust Company
FoundedManila, Captaincy General of the Philippines, Spanish East Indies
(August 1, 1851; 173 years ago (1851-08-01))
Headquarters
Makati, Metro Manila
,
Philippines
Key people
ServicesBanking
Revenue₱101.92 billion[1] (2020)
₱21.41 billion[1] (2020)
Total assets₱2.23 trillion[1] (2020)
Number of employees
21,429 (2019)
ParentAyala Corporation (~22.2% equity)
Subsidiaries
  • BPI Capital Corp.
  • BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp.
Capital ratioTier 1 14.08% (2019)
RatingStandard & Poor's: BBB+
Moody's: Baa2
Fitch Ratings: BB+
Websitebpi.com.ph Edit this at Wikidata
BPI Escolta Sta. Cruz branch at Plaza Santa Cruz, Manila which occupies the Don Roman Santos Building, former head office of Prudential Bank

The bank has a network of over 900 branches in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Europe, and more than 3,000 ATMs and CDMs (cash deposit machines).

BPI was founded during the Spanish colonial era of the Philippines as El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel II. It provided credit to the National Treasury and printed and issued the Philippine peso fuerte, a precursor to today's Philippine peso.[13][14]

History

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El Banco Español-Filipino, 10 pesos bank note (1896)

Colonial period

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BPI was established on August 1, 1851, as the "El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel II" (lit. 'The Spanish-Filipino Bank of Isabel II'), named after the Queen of Spain, Isabella II, the daughter of King Ferdinand VII. It was the first government bank in the Philippines and the third Philippine bank during the Spanish era. One of the founders and primary shareholders at that time was José Joaquín de Ynchausti of Ynchausti y Cía, a prominent Philippine multi-national conglomerate who also founded Tanduay Distillery and built the Puente Colgante. José was the managing director of the bank from 1868 to 1873 and 1876 to 1884.[15]

The royal decree establishing the Banco Español-Filipino also gave it the power to print Philippine currency, the first time the Philippine peso was printed in the country; before 1851, a multitude of currencies were used, most notably the Mexican peso. They were originally called Philippine peso fuerte (PF), or "strong pesos". First printed on May 1, 1852, they were redeemable at face value for gold or silver Mexican coins just to circulate the first Philippine currency. The first deposit with the bank was also done on that day by a man named Fulgencio Barrera with silver and gold. Three days later, a Chinese man named Tadian became the first borrowing client of the bank after the bank discounted to him an initial and foremost promissory note amounting to ten thousand pesos fuertes.

On September 3, 1869, following a revolution which overthrew Isabella II, the name was changed to Banco Español-Filipino. In January 1892, the bank moved from the Royal Custom House in Intramuros to the new business district of Binondo after it found out that Intramuros was becoming "economically inactive". It moved to 4 Plaza Cervantes corner Juan Luna Street which was at that time a prime property owned by the Dominican friars.

The first branch of Banco Español-Filipino outside Manila was opened in Iloilo City on March 15, 1897. However, the idea to set up branches outside Manila was formulated as far back as the 1850s, with the first branch planned to be opened in Bacolor, the capital of Pampanga at the time. However, by then, Iloilo and other provinces in Panay had become more productive than Pampanga in the sugar industry, hence the move to open the first branch in Iloilo.

Following the cession of the Philippines to the United States with the signing of the 1898 Treaty of Paris, the bank changed from a Spanish institution to a Philippine one. On January 1, 1912, a decision by the shareholders of Banco Español-Filipino changed the name to the present Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) or Banco de las Islas Filipinas in Spanish. The basis for the name change was Act No. 1790, passed on October 12, 1907, which permitted the bank to change its name. The bank was also fully privatised during the American colonial period.

Following World War II, BPI was actively involved in the post-war reconstruction of the Philippines. In 1949, with the establishment of the Central Bank of the Philippines (now the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), BPI completely lost the right to issue Philippine pesos, a right it had since the Spanish colonial era and during the American colonial period - up until 1934.

Contemporary history

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On December 31, 1969, Ayala Corporation, which had been affiliated with BPI since its establishment in 1851, became the dominant shareholder of BPI, and eventually made BPI into the flagship of Ayala's financial entities.[16]

Starting in the 1970s, BPI has been involved with many mergers and acquisitions. The first merger occurred in 1974 with BPI's acquisition of the People's Bank and Trust Company. Major notable acquisitions include Commercial Bank and Trust Company in 1981, CityTrust Banking Corporation in 1996, Far East Bank and Trust Company in 2000, Prudential Bank in 2005,[17] BPI's subsidiary BPI Family Savings Bank in early-2022[18] and Robinsons Bank in early-2024.[19]

In 1982, BPI became a universal bank and inaugurated its new headquarters building at the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas in the Ayala-developed Makati Central Business District. In 2000, it became the Philippines' first bank assurance firm, being the first Philippine bank to offer insurance services after acquiring the insurance companies of the Ayala Corporation, the parent company of BPI. Within that year, BPI also founded the BPI Direct Savings Bank, an Internet bank.

On February 14, 1986, BPI established its own interbank network, Expressnet.

In October 2015, BPI launched their "Make the Best Things Happen" campaign.[20]

In the second quarter of 2019, BPI began constructing its new headquarters in Makati, replacing the old headquarters building on its place.[21][22][23] BPI has tapped Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for its design.[24] It relocated its head offices from the old building to nearby locations, including the Insular Life Building, Ayala North Exchange, Makati Stock Exchange building, and BPI Buendia Center in Makati, while other offices moved to Vertis North in Quezon City and in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Its head offices were subsequently relocated to the adjacent Insular Life Building, Ayala North Exchange, Makati Stock Exchange building, and BPI Buendia Center in Makati, while other offices moved to Vertis North in Quezon City and to Alabang, Muntinlupa.[25]

 
A BPI branch in Malolos, Bulacan

BPI launched its new logo in August 2019[26] and its Do More tagline in August 2023.[27] In June 2023, BPI completed the transfer of its various head office units to Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2, reducing its headquarters to two locations: the tower and the BPI Buendia Center.[28]

2017 system glitch

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See also: 2017 Bank of the Philippine Islands systems glitch

On the morning of June 7, 2017, a data processing glitch affected BPI clients making their account balances incorrect.[29] Some clients had either a negative balance[30] or an increased amount of money in their account.[31] The error was fixed in the evening,[32] but the next day, June 8, BPI suspended electronic services because incorrect balances occurred again.[33] The services were restored once more on the evening of the same day upon fixing the defect.[34]

BanKo

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BPI BanKo
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFinance and insurance
Predecessor
  • BPI Direct Savings Bank
  • BPI Globe Banko
FoundedManila, Philippines (1986)
SuccessorBPI BanKo
HeadquartersMakati, Philippines
Key people
Jerome B. Minglana, President
ProductsFinancial services, savings, microfinance and SME (small and medium entreprise) loans
₱40.9 million ( 19%) (2009) [35]
ParentBank of the Philippine Islands
Websitewww.banko.com.ph

BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., A Savings Bank (operating as BPI BanKo) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BPI established through the merging of BPI Direct Savings Bank (the first internet-based bank in the country), allowing expatriate Filipinos and overseas workers in countries like Bahrain or Hong Kong to access and manage their bank accounts at any time) and the BPI Globe Banko.

BPI Globe BanKo's predecessor BPI Direct Savings Bank, was incorporated and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 1986, primarily as a subsidiary meant to engage in the general business of savings and mortgage banking.

In 2000, BPI Direct underwent a major image change as it became the first Philippine bank designed around the telephone and online banking channels. Two years later, BPI Direct realigned its business strategy towards the Overseas Filipino community.

As the result of BPI Direct and with BPI Globe BanKo (another thrift bank unit of BPI) merging in December 2016 forming BPI Direct BanKO Inc. (BPI BanKo).

BPI's consolidation of its two subsidiaries forming BPI Direct BanKo, is its answer to the growing microfinance-small and medium enterprise finance industry sector in the Philippines, competing directly with notable SME/Microfinance institution in the country - ASA Philippines, Card Bank (CardBank and Card SME Bank), and LifeBank MFI.

Subsidiaries and partners

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BPI is divided into the following subsidiaries and affiliates:

  • BPI Asset Management and Trust Corporation
  • BPI Capital Corp.
  • BPI Computer Systems Corp.
  • BPI Family Savings Bank (Savings bank of BPI)
  • BPI BanKo (merged BPI Direct Savings Bank and BPI Globe BanKO Savings Bank) (Small and medium enterprise and microfinance oriented rural-savings bank of BPI)
  • BPI Forex Corp.
  • BPI Foundation, Inc.
  • BPI International Finance Ltd.
  • BPI Investment Management. Inc.
  • BPI Leasing Corp.
  • BPI Operations Mgt. Corp.
  • BPI Rental Corp.
  • BPI Securities Corp.
  • BPI/MS Insurance Corp.
  • Legazpi Savings Bank

On September 30, 2022, BPI and Robinsons Bank disclosed their merger expected to complete by December 31, 2023, with BPI as the surviving entity.[36]

Ownership

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While the Philippine Central Depository is listed a major shareholder, it is more of a trustee-nominee for all shares lodged in the PCD system rather than a single owner/shareholder.

1 Includes DBS Bank
2 Voting powers vested ex officio in the Archbishop of Manila.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Financial Reports".
  2. ^ Colayco, Maria Teresa (August 31, 2011). Enlightened Stewardship. Bank of the Philippine Islands, Manila. ISBN 9789710579112. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  3. ^ Colayco, Maria Teresa (1984). A Tradition of Leadership: Bank of the Philippine Islands. Bank of the Philippine Islands, Manila. pp. 23, 184. ASIN B0006EJSEY. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Bank of the Philippine Islands (2011). "Special Feature: BPI 160 years and Beyond (2011 Annual Report)" (PDF). Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  5. ^ "About BPI". bpiexpressonline.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  6. ^ "Ranking as to Total Assets – Universal and Commercial Bank Group as of 31 December 2023 (Amounts in Million Pesos)". www.bsp.gov.ph. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (January 2, 2018). "BDO, Metrobank, BPI remain on top in 2017". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  8. ^ Robles, Elshamae (July 30, 2018). "Top banks in the Philippines". The Manila Times. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  9. ^ "BPI on the Forbes Global 2000 List". Forbes Global 2000. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  10. ^ "Integrated Annual and Sustainability Report, AY 2016" (PDF). Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  11. ^ Torres, Ted P. (July 9, 2010). "BPI Family Bank upbeat on 2010 performance". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  12. ^ "BPI posts 14% increase in Q3 net income". bpiexpressonline.com. November 8, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  13. ^ "Money Museum - Spanish Era (1521 -1897)". Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Esteria, Primo (November 11, 2011). "Philippine Banknotes - paper money, then and now". kahimyang.com. The Kamihyang Project. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  15. ^ De Borja, Marciano R. (June 12, 2012). Basques in the Philippines. University of Nevada Press. ISBN 9780874178913.
  16. ^ "Ayala". Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  17. ^ "BPI nears completion of merger with Prudential Bank". philstar.com. September 23, 2005. Retrieved September 23, 2005.
  18. ^ "BPI-BFSB merger takes effect in new year". mb.com.ph. December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "BPI, Robinsons Bank merger takes effect". news.abs-cbn.com. January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  20. ^ "Make the Best Happen with BPI". November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  21. ^ "BPI starts construction of new HQ building". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  22. ^ "BPI bids adieu to Ayala Ave HQ". Bilyonaryo. February 9, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  23. ^ Paz, Chrisee Dela. "BPI to rebuild its headquarters in Makati". Rappler. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  24. ^ "BPI taps Illinois-based firm for new headquarters". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  25. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (April 20, 2024). "BPI to redevelop Makati head office". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  26. ^ "Brand & Business: The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Gets a Brand Refresh with All New Logo and Tagline". adobomagazine.com. August 1, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  27. ^ "BBDO Guerrero spotlights Anne Curtis and how she's able to do more with BPI". Adobo Magazine. August 11, 2023.
  28. ^ "BPI Head Office units transfer to Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2". Bank of the Philippine Islands. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  29. ^ Agcaoili, Lawrence (June 8, 2017). "Bank glitch causes chaos". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  30. ^ "Philippines bank BPI hit by glitch which debited accounts". BBC News. June 7, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  31. ^ Dumlao-Abadilla, Doris (June 8, 2017). "Woman finds P12.4B in BPI check account". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  32. ^ "BPI says glitch fixed, access to ATMs restored". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  33. ^ Cabuenas, Jon Viktor (June 8, 2017). "BPI deactivates electronic services anew as accounts still reflect incorrect balances". GMA News. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  34. ^ Morales, Yvette (June 9, 2017). "BPI issues second advisory on error being fixed". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  35. ^ "BPI Direct Savings Bank - BPI". www.bpiexpressonline.com.
  36. ^ Piad, Tyrone Jasper C. (September 30, 2022). "BPI, Robinsons Bank confirm merger agreement". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  37. ^ "100 Top Stockholders as of June 24, 2024". PSE. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
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