Fabian S. Dee, president of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), receives the Best Bank CEO in the Philippines award from TAB Global in recognition of his visionary leadership in strengthening fundamentals, expanding the business, advancing operational excellence, cultivating talent and driving digital transformation. Under his leadership, Metrobank is also recognised as the Best Managed Bank in the Philippines. Dee has demonstrated visionary strategic leadership in advancing the bank’s vision to deliver tailored financial solutions. By prioritising strengthening fundamentals, expanding the business, driving operational excellence, nurturing talent and leading digital transformation, he has built a resilient and future-ready institution. His foresight and unwavering commitment to excellence have been crucial in navigating complex market challenges and capturing emerging opportunities, enabling steady and sustainable growth. Driving consistent growth and financial resilience He has led Metrobank to consistent growth and financial resilience through prudent lending, disciplined cost control and strong asset quality. Key financial metrics—including assets, loans and deposits—have steadily expanded alongside record profits. Rigorous portfolio management has kept non-performing loan ratios among the lowest in the industry, underpinning the bank’s stability and long-term value creation. Supported by a strong capital base, Metrobank balances ambitious growth with shareholder returns through prudent capital management and carefully calibrated dividend policies. His forward-looking capital planning has steadily improved return on equity, strengthening the bank’s competitive position and underpinning its long-term development. Expanding reach and enhancing services across key market segments Under his direction, growth in the middle market and large corporates has been driven by proactive account management, an optimally scaled branch network, innovative digital platforms such as Metrobank Business Online Solutions, sustained service excellence and a strong market presence. In retail banking, Metrobank leads in automotive lending and ranks third in credit card loans. The credit card business has grown via consolidation with ANZ, adopting best practices from developed markets and leveraging the bank’s large depositor base for cross-selling. He has also strengthened Metrobank’s treasury group, the largest bond house in the Philippines, enabling it to offer comprehensive services as a market maker providing trading, foreign exchange sourcing, trade facilitation and hedging solutions to protect clients from risk. The group supports business customers and their owners through private banking, financial education, trust products and treasury services—creating a seamless financial ecosystem addressing both business and personal needs. Fostering talent development and advancing digital transformation He prioritises talent development through comprehensive learning programmes that build foundational values, functional skills and leadership capabilities—ensuring a steady pipeline of future leaders who embody the bank’s principles. He has also championed Metrobank’s digital transformation, which has progressed significantly with platforms such as the Metrobank Operations Support Engine, achieving user adoption growth from 4% to 95% in just three years. This digital shift has improved customer experience and freed sales teams to dedicate more time to client engagement. Additionally, streamlined end-to-end processes and redeployment of staff from non-value-added tasks to client-facing roles have increased productivity and service quality, strengthening an agile and future-ready workforce. Leading with extensive banking expertise Dee is a seasoned banker with extensive experience in treasury, corporate banking and retail banking, and has served as president of Metrobank since 2012. He began his professional career at Insular Bank of Asia and America, Philippine Commercial International Bank and Union Bank before holding senior roles at Security Bank, including head of treasury and head of middle market groups. He joined Metrobank in 2000, initially leading its largest business centre, then heading the account management group and the national branch banking sector before becoming president. He has held leadership positions including chairman of Metrobank Card Corporation, Metro Remittance Singapore, LGU Guarantee Corporation and SMBC Metro Investment Corporation. Additionally, he serves as director and president of BancNet, vice chairman of First Metro Investment Corporation and has held key roles in the Bankers Association of the Philippines. He is also trustee of Metrobank Foundation, adviser to Metropolitan Bank (Bahamas) and director of several other companies such as Toyota Manila Bay Corporation, Thomas Cook (Philippines) and FMIC Equities.
