SM Group receives 15 Philippine Quill Awards for stakeholder communications

SM Foundation's health and wellness programs continue to bring basic healthcare services directly to communities nationwide.

SM Group companies received 15 Philippine Quill Awards, including six Excellence Awards, for communications programs spanning community engagement, customer service, financial education, investor relations and digital communications.

The awards went to SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, and businesses across the Group, including SM Foundation, Inc., SM Supermalls (Shopping Center Management Corporation), BDO Unibank, Inc., China Banking Corporation and Signature Series by SM Residences (Signatures Development Corp).

“Good communication helps people understand what our businesses do and why it matters to them,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments. “These awards reflect the work across the Group to communicate clearly with the customers, investors, partners and communities we serve.”

SM Foundation received four awards, including three Excellence Awards. Its “Utilizing Social Good as a Force for Transformation” campaign received Excellence Awards for Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, while #SpreadingSocialGood Stories Online: Transforming Lives Through Heartfelt Storytelling received an Excellence Award for Social Media. Its social good report was also recognized under Publications.

“Communication is an important part of strengthening the impact of development programs,” said Debbie Sy, Executive Director of SM Foundation. “It helps communities understand the opportunities available to them, gives people a voice, and brings partners closer to our mission. That is what spreading social good means to us, using communication to help social good initiatives reach and engage more people.”

BDO received four awards, including three Excellence Awards. “Life Insurance: The Key to Heaven?” and “Tuloy ang Plano: Making Plan B a Family Necessity” received Excellence Awards for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication, while “Your Child’s Dreams Need a Plan B” received an Excellence Award for Audio/Visual Communication. BDO Remit’s “Alagang Kabayan: Where Every Kabayan Belongs” was also recognized for Social Media.

SM Investments was recognized for SM In Focus, a group-wide online channel as part of SM’s evolving approach to stakeholder communication, leveraging on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to provide timely, structured, and relevant insights on the group’s operations and impact.

SM In Focus host Rico Hizon (center) visits the Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s Tiwi site to gather groundbreaking business initiatives and sustainability stories for the online channel.

SM Supermalls received three awards for Active Hub, Mindanao and International Coastal 2025, coveringCommunity Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Through Mindanao Art, SM Supermalls provides a platform for Filipino artists to showcase Mindanao's diverse creativity and cultural heritage.

“Our programs begin with understanding what our customers and communities need,” said Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “Communication helps us listen, respond and keep improving how we serve them.”

Chinabank received two awards. Its Investor Relations: Focused on Value campaign was recognized for Financial Communication and Investor Relations, while My CBC Campaign: An App Fit for Beauty Queens was recognized for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication.

Signature Series was recognized for “Setting a New Mark in Premium Residential Living” under Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication.

Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC), the Philippine Quill Awards recognize communication programs and practices across organizations in the country. This year’s winners were selected from more than 800 entries evaluated against IABC standards.

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Chinabank welcomes the Year of the Dragon with Michelle Dee as brand ambassador

Chinabank has signed up its first ever brand ambassador, the reigning Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee. The collaboration was formalized on February 14, 2024 at the Chinabank head office in Makati City.

The beauty queen, actress, host, athlete, and model is a fitting and inspiring representative for Chinabank. Michelle, who has won the hearts and minds of Filipinos and the world with her charisma, authenticity, and sense of purpose, is redefining contemporary Filipino culture on a global stage.  Her lifelong autism acceptance and inclusivity advocacy has led her to a degree in BS Psychology and to use her platform and her work with the Autism Society of the Philippines to create awareness about the condition. With Michelle on board, Chinabank is strengthening its brand presence and building a profound connection with the new generation of dynamic and forward-thinking banking customers.

“This engagement with Michelle Dee signifies the beginning of many things to come. For us, Michelle is family.  But beyond her obvious lineage to the bank's co-founders, we firmly believe that Michelle has the qualities to aptly represent a bank with a storied history and an unwavering commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable future for every Filipino,” Chinabank President & CEO Romeo D. Uyan Jr. said during the contract signing.

Michelle expressed her happiness and excitement for her new role, noting that she and Chinabank are a good fit as they share the same high regard for building trust, making an impact, and bringing about change.

“Chinabank isn’t just any bank, it’s been a beacon of trust and resilience for over a century.  Now that’s a lot of years of making a difference in people’s lives and making dreams come true, but it’s also the spirit of making a difference that really resonates with every Filipino heart,” she said. “I would like to keep it real.  I’m here to share my stories and the incredible work Chinabank does…  I can’t wait to make memories and make such ground breaking opportunities for everyone around us as well.”

Chinabank founder Dee C. Chuan was Michelle Dee’s paternal grand-uncle.  Her grandfather was former Chinabank Chairman Dee K. Chiong whose leadership shaped the bank into prominence.  He also led the bank’s early foray into computer technology, becoming the first bank in Southeast Asia to process deposit accounts online.

Chinabank is the fourth largest private universal bank in the Philippines. The bank is set to launch an advertising campaign featuring Michelle as it continues to innovate and improve its products and services with a keen focus on its customers.

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Chinabank’s 9-month net income reaches P16.2B

• 15.6% ROE and 1.6% ROA, still among the highest in the industry
• Sustained core business strength and stable asset quality: 2.2% NPL ratio and 126% NPL cover, both better than the industry average.  
• Healthy cost-to-income ratio despite higher investments in technology and manpower development. 
• Book value per share (BVS) grew 7% to P52.50.

Chinabank Makati Main branch

China Banking Corporation (Chinabank, PSE stock symbol: CHIB) recorded P16.2 billion in net income from January to September 2023, 10% higher compared to the same period last year.  This translated to a return on equity of 15.6% and a return on assets of 1.6%.  

Chinabank’s bottom line in the last nine months improved on the back of robust growth from core businesses and lower loan loss provisions.  For the third quarter alone, the bank netted P5.4 billion in profits, up 16% from the same period last year. 

“Chinabank’s sustained growth reflects the successful execution of our business strategies. Despite the current high interest rate environment, we continue to grow our bottom line by preserving our margins, managing our overall costs effectively, and bringing greater efficiencies to our operations with technology,” Chinabank President & CEO Romeo D. Uyan, Jr. said.

Net interest income grew by 16% to P39.2 billion as the 44% surge in top line revenues cushioned the nearly triple increase in interest expense. Net interest margin was maintained at 4.2%.  

 

The bank reduced its total credit provisions to P1.3 billion given its stable portfolio quality. Despite this, non-performing loans (NPL) cover remained better-than-industry at 126%.  

 

Operating expenses increased by 14% to P20.5 billion, driven by higher manpower and

inflation-related expenses and bigger volume and revenue-related taxes.  Cost-to-income ratio

remained healthy at 50%.   

Chinabank remains as the 4 th  largest private domestic bank with total assets of P1.4 trillion, up

11% year-on-year.    

  

Gross loans grew by 10% year-on-year to P765 billion, driven by the 19% expansion in consumer loans, particularly teachers’ loans and credit cards. The bank’s level of bad loans continued to be manageable, posting a better-than-industry average NPL ratio of 2.2%.  

 

Total deposits increased by 14% to P1.1 trillion resulting to a 49% CASA ratio as term deposits grew year-on-year.

"Our balance sheet remains strong.  A quality loan book has helped us during a period of rising interest rates.  We also continued to optimize our capital structure, maintaining strong capital generation and asset quality,” Chinabank CFO Patrick D. Cheng said.   

 

Total capital grew by 7% to P141 billion, with Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio at 14.9% and Total Capital Adequacy Ratio at 15.8%, well above the minimum regulatory requirement. Book value per share was at P52.50, up 7%. 

 

Chinabank was recently named by the People Management Association of the Philippines as the 2023 Employer of the Year, the only bank to win the prestigious award in 30 years. This recognition for the bank's outstanding human resources practices comes in the heels of its latest accolades: Outstanding Wealth Management Service for the Affluent Award from the Private Banker International and Five-Golden Arrow Award from the Institute of Corporate Directors, the second time Chinabank has won this distinction for its excellence in corporate governance.

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