Banking & Insurance

SM Prime Holdings Inc. has put the brakes on a planned bond offering of up to P18 billion, opting to wait for more favorable market conditions as it seeks funding for an ambitious expansion and redevelopment program across the country. 

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is moving into the last phase of its merger with Robinsons Bank, with a final system update scheduled to unify operations and deliver a more streamlined banking experience for all customers.

Discovery Capital Finance Corp. has secured a credit facility with Union Bank of the Philippines, part of the Aboitiz group, to speed up its expansion across the country.

East West Banking Corp. is set to grow its priority banking network and services, following a 40 percent rise in assets under management to P120 billion last year. CEO Jerry G. Ngo announced the bank will increase priority banking branches nationwide from 13 to 20 in the coming years.

The Social Security System (SSS) has accelerated the rollout of a scheduled pension increase, releasing an estimated P6 billion in additional benefits to 4.1 million pensioners three months ahead of schedule as the government moves to ease the burden of rising living costs.