Metrobank clinches top honors for the 11th straight year at the 2026 PDS Annual Awards

 

Metrobank Financial Markets Sector executives receive top honors at the PDS Annual Awards

L-R: Metrobank Head of Treasury Group, John Christopher Lu; Metrobank OIC Head of Local Currency Trading Department, Kyle Peralta; Metrobank Head of Investment Distribution, Chorie Chan; Metrobank Desk Head Local Corporate Credits, Bernice Nobleza; Metrobank Financial Markets Sector Deputy Head, Jikee Reyes, Metrobank Financial Markets Sector Head, Toto Tansingco, Metrobank Head of Rates and Credits Division, Kathryn Abes; Metrobank Head of Securities Brokering Department, April De Leon; Metrobank Head of Client Solutions Division, Paolo Narciso; Metrobank Head of South Metro Investment Distribution. Marbie Ann Castillo

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) once again earned top honors at the Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Annual Awards, held on March 26, 2026 at the Makati Diamond Hotel, underscoring its sustained leadership in financial markets.

For the 11th consecutive year, Metrobank received the prestigious Cesar E.A. Virata Award, the highest distinction conferred by PDS to a bank for excellence in fixed-income securities trading. The milestone marks the longest winning streak by any bank, reflecting Metrobank’s consistent strength in trading, distribution, and market-making.

Metrobank is further recognized across several key categories, including: Top Fixed Income Dealing Participant; Top Corporate Securities Market Maker; Top Dealing Participant for Corporate Securities; and Top 5 Fixed Income Brokering Participant (5th place).

These latest awards celebrate more than six decades of Metrobank’s service excellence, reinforcing its role as a trusted financial partner. In line with its “You’re in Good Hands” promise, the bank continues to deliver a full suite of financial solutions, from retail and commercial financing, to treasury and investment products, designed to support Filipinos across different life stages and economic conditions.

“We humbly accept this recognition as a reflection of what we have worked hard to build over the years. More than strong business performance, it speaks to the integrity, discipline, teamwork, and customer trust that continue to guide us, as well as the close collaboration across among our teams, from frontliners to support functions, who make this possible,” said Jikee Reyes, Deputy Head of Metrobank Financial Markets Sector. 

“This recognition is particularly meaningful as it comes at a time of heightened market uncertainty. It reinforces our responsibility, as market participants, to remain steady and disciplined, helping ensure that markets continue to function in an orderly and responsible manner. We remain committed to navigating these conditions with resilience, and to upholding the trust placed in us by our clients, regulators, and the broader investing community,” she added.

Metrobank’s Financial Markets Sector has consistently demonstrated its expertise in securities trading, as well as investment and wealth management, earning recognition year after year from government institutions and both local and international award-giving bodies. The bank has also built a strong track record of accolades, reinforcing its reputation for strength, stability, and reliability. It has been named the country’s strongest bank by The Asian Banker for five consecutive years.

To stay updated on Metrobank’s latest performance milestones and market insights, visit https://www.metrobank.com.ph/home and explore Wealth Insights at https://wealthinsights.metrobank.com.ph/ for the latest market outlooks and analysis.

Metrobank lists PHP35 billion ASEAN Sustainability Bonds on PDEx

 

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has successfully listed its PHFrom left: Juan Carlo Mendoza, Metrobank Head of Asset Liability Management; Minda Olonan, Metrobank Head of Investor Relations; Ma. Theresa Ravalo, PDTC President; Happy Lomigo, Metrobank Risk Management Group OIC; John Christopher Lu, Metrobank Head of Treasury Group; Stephanie Marie Zulueta, PDEX President; Dan Camacho, FMIC Investment Banking Head; Jun Palanca, ING Bank Philippines Country Manager; Mike Samson Standard Chartered Bank Philippines CEO.

P35 billion Series F ASEAN Sustainability Peso-denominated fixed rate bonds on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx), marking its largest peso bond issuance to date to support the Bank's sustainable finance initiatives. 

The ASEAN Sustainability Bonds have a tenor of 1.5 years and carry a fixed interest rate of 5.4727% per annum. The issuance saw strong demand from both institutional and retail investors, with orders reaching 7x above the base offer size of PHP5 billion. 

The public offer period was initially scheduled to run from March 17 to 30, 2026, but closed early on March 23, 2026 due to robust investor interest.

Proceeds from the issuance will be used to diversify Metrobank’s funding sources and support its lending activities. In line with the Bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework (SFF), the funds will be allocated to finance or refinance eligible green and social assets, supporting projects that contribute to environmental sustainability and inclusive growth. Metrobank’s SFF was assigned an SQS2 (“Very Good”) Sustainability Quality Score by Moody’s Ratings, reflecting strong alignment with recognized principles and measurable environmental and social objectives.

“We are encouraged by the strong response to this issuance, which reflects the trust our clients and partners continue to place in Metrobank,” said John Lu, Head of the Treasury Group. “It also highlights the growing demand for investments that deliver not only financial returns, but also meaningful and lasting impact.”

First Metro Investment Corporation, ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch, and Standard Chartered Bank, acted as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners. Alongside Metrobank, they also served as Selling Agents, with ING acting as Sustainability Coordinator.

As market conditions continue to evolve, Metrobank underscores the importance of taking a disciplined and forward-looking approach to financial decisions. By enabling investments that support both stability and long-term growth, the Bank continues to guide its clients in navigating uncertainty through actions that promote resilience and readiness for opportunities.

Metrobank remains committed to being a steady partner to its clients and stakeholders, supporting their financial goals while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

ABOUT METROBANK: 

Metrobank is the country’s second largest universal bank that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help them reach their goals and full potential. Metrobank has an extensive consolidated network that spans over 960 domestic branches nationwide, more than 2,200 ATMs, and 28 foreign branches, subsidiaries, and representative offices. The Bank believes that its robust capital position and balance sheet strength will provide ample support as it navigates through uncertain times. Capital ratios, with total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 16.8% and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 16.1% as of end-2025. Consolidated assets stood at PHP3.88 trillion, making it one of strongest and well capitalized banks in the country.  Metrobank has investment-grade ratings of Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch Ratings (https://metrobank.com.ph)

Hallmark Mining Corporation Honors Women’s Contributions to Community Development

 

As progressive as it truly is, Hallmark Mining Corporation (HMC) does not undervalue women in the community—it empowers them. Through the creation of the Women’s and Farmers’ Association, HMC recognizes and strengthens the vital role women play in community development.

The establishment of the Women’s and Farmers’ Association is a key initiative under HMC’s community partnerships, aimed at improving productivity and expanding income opportunities. Through seminars, livelihood film screenings, community-based planning, and project implementation, HMC provides women with access to knowledge, skills, and resources that enable them to become active contributors to both household stability and community growth.

These initiatives reflect HMC’s belief that empowering women is essential not only to individual advancement but also to the well-being of families and communities. Women’s participation across all aspects of community life strengthens social cohesion and drives sustainable development. By supporting and encouraging women’s involvement, HMC helps create pathways toward broader and more inclusive prosperity.

Moreover, women’s engagement in community-based planning and project implementation helps break down long-standing barriers that limit their voices and participation. By fostering inclusive spaces, HMC ensures that women are not only heard but are also directly involved in shaping programs that affect their lives and livelihoods.

One notable example is the capacity-building activity conducted among women’s organizations in Barangay Macambol, Mati, Davao Oriental, on June 11, 2023. This initiative strengthened leadership, organizational capacity, and collaboration among local women, further reinforcing their role in community development.

HMC firmly upholds that a vital component of sustainable nickel mining is the presence of healthy, happy, and empowered women and families. This perspective aligns with the World Bank (2020), which emphasizes that when women in mining communities are empowered, they are more likely to invest in family welfare, education, and overall community well-being.

Supporting this view, Kath Digdigan, a Senior Mine Geologist at TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc., highlights that women bring unique strengths to the industry. She explains that female intuition combined with forward-thinking, instinct, character, empathy, and meticulous attention to detail, adds significant value to the workplace. She further emphasizes that women bring “heart” into their roles—enhancing collaboration and purpose within organizations.

As supported by development studies, women’s involvement enhances community well-being, strengthens inclusivity, and promotes sustainable development. Their participation is not only beneficial but essential to long-term progress.

Through its continued support and empowerment of women’s participation, HMC not only breaks barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry but also demonstrates that women are crucial—not only in mining operations, but in advancing the overall health, resilience, and growth of the community. This underscores the importance of inclusive development, where investing in women leads to stronger, more sustainable futures for all.