Security Bank Corp. (PSE: SECB) recently bagged five awards at the 2018 Asian Banking and Finance Awards held in Singapore. The Bank was given one award each in the “Wholesale Banking” and “Corporate and Investment Banking” categories, and three in the “Retail Banking” category.
The Bank received the “Philippine Domestic Technology and Operations Bank of the Year” award in the Wholesale Banking Category; “IPO Deal of the Year – Philippines” award in the Corporate and Investment Banking Category; and “Advertising Campaign of the Year,” “Financial Inclusion Initiative of the Year,” and “Mobile Banking Initiative of the Year” awards in the Retail Banking Category.
“These accolades from the Asian Banking and Finance Magazine are a reminder of Security Bank’s BetterBanking promise to our customers,” said Security Bank President & CEO Alfonso Salcedo, Jr. “Tracing our history, Security Bank has cemented its position in the wholesale and corporate and investment banking segments. We are grateful that until today our Bank is still recognized as one of the best in these areas. As for our retail banking business, in less than five years, Security Bank has established its niche in the retail banking industry because of our innovative products and the trust awarded to us by our clients,” Salcedo said of the Bank which launched its retail banking business in 2014.
The Asian Banking and Finance Magazine recognized Security Bank’s products in the retail banking industry. For its financial inclusion initiative, the awarding body recognized the Bank’s Salary Advance Loan Program (SALAD), which allows customers to avail of short-term loans through a fully-automated mobile cash facility.
Aside from SALAD, Security Bank’s Mobile App was commended due to its customer-friendly interface and user functions. The advertising campaign and strategy of Security Bank was also commended for its customer-centric approach in introducing its services to potential clients as expressed in the company’s tagline, “You deserve better.”
In the Wholesale Banking category, ABF commended Security Bank’s Corporate Utility ePayment (UEP), a one-stop bills payment hub designed to simplify the complex needs of corporates: hundreds of bills with different due dates, undelivered check payments and the need for paper-based tax forms.
SB Capital Investments Corporation, the investment banking arm of Security Bank, received a citation for its role as Joint Issue Manager, Lead Underwriter and Bookrunner in Eagle Cement’s initial public offering, the largest purely domestic IPO to-date, with a total issue size of Php 8.6 billion. The said IPO had overwhelming demand from both institutional and retail investors.
“Security Bank’s best asset is the people who believe in our BetterBanking promise. As the Philippine banking industry embraces digitalization, we will continue to pursue unceasing efforts to innovate our services for a BetterBanking experience,” Salcedo said.
The Asian Banking and Finance Awards was hosted by the Asian Banking and Finance Magazine, the leading publication for banking and finance executives in Asia. All submissions were judged by a committee of industry experts based on strict criteria which included effectiveness, dynamism, innovation, uniqueness and impact in the industry.