Union Bank of the Philippines, BDO Unibank and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) were recognised as the best banks for wealth management, transaction banking and cash management at the TAB Global Philippine Awards 2025, held at the Grand Hyatt Manila on 14 August. Several other leading institutions were also awarded for excellence in digital small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) solutions, quick digital lending, and accessible, technology-driven financial services. Union Bank of the Philippines, named Best Wealth Management Bank, expanded its affluent banking services through the integration of the Citi wealth business and launch of Elite and Access programmes. These tiered offerings provide bespoke financial planning and global investment opportunities to emerging affluent and high-net-worth clients through an enhanced platform that allows portfolio diversification without offshore accounts. UnionBank also won Best Retail Banking Partnership for collaborations with S&R, Samsung Finance+ and ATRAM to deliver embedded finance solutions, therefore boosting transaction volumes, account openings and customer engagement. BDO Unibank, recognised as Best Transaction Bank, modernised its services through ISO 20022 integration, SWIFT FileAct host-to-host messaging and enhanced application programming interface (API) connectivity. The bank realised a 35% year-on-year growth in transaction banking revenue because of several initiatives that included the launch of its Business Online mobile app, deployment of Corporate Cash Recycling machines, digitisation of cheque processing and embedding financial wellness features into payroll services. RCBC received the award for Best Cash Management Bank for integrating in-office Cash Cube machines and remote cheque scanners for real-time credit collection. It also launched same-day digital payroll onboarding and scaled API-based disbursement and receivables solutions across key sectors. This resulted in a 25% growth in cash collections and a two-fold increase in corporate mandates year-on-year. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) was awarded Best Small Business Banking Service in the Philippines for its digital solutions supporting SMEs. These include Ka-Negosyo On The Go, an integrated platform for end-to-end digital loan applications, and a digital cash management platform for small businesses. The initiatives drove a 108% increase in SME loan volume and an 18% growth in SME customers. By combining access to financing with value-added services, BPI strengthened its support for SME growth. This recognition affirms the bank’s role in advancing segment-specific digitalisation in the SME sector. China Banking Corporation (Chinabank) received the Best Digital Consumer Lending Service award for its Instant Issuance Credit Card Programme, which allows real-time approval and issuance of a physical card in as fast as 30 minutes. The programme accounted for over 35% of approved applications in eight months. The bank also won Best New Product Launch Strategy for its Velvet Visa Signature credit card, which targets the affluent market with premium rewards, concierge access and tailored campaigns. This allowed Chinabank to achieve strong uptake and expand its premium segment reach. EastWest Bank was awarded Best Digital Ecosystem and Platform Initiative for its API-first architecture that enables instant account opening, embedded finance for e-commerce merchants and wallet integration. The bank was recognised for having the Best Foreign Exchange Service because of its 24/7 foreign exchange (FX) platform that offers real-time rates and mobile-first access, leading to a 19% increase in transaction volumes and a 28% rise in user adoption. TAB Global Philippine Awards 2025 Institutional Awards Best Transaction Bank in the Philippines - BDO Unibank Best Wealth Management Bank in the Philippines - Union Bank of the Philippines Transaction Finance Award Best Cash Management Bank in the Philippines - RCBC Leadership Achievement Awards Best Bank CEO and Best Managed Bank in the Philippines - Fabian S. Dee, Metrobank Retail Product, Services, Frictionless and Digital Awards Best Digital Consumer Lending Service in the Philippines - Chinabank's Instant Credit Card Issuance Best Digital Ecosystem and Platform Initiative in the Philippines - EastWest Bank Best Foreign Exchange Service in the Philippines - EastWest Bank's FX Solution for Superior Value Best New Product Launch Strategy in the Philippines - Chinabank's Velvet Visa Signature Best Retail Banking Partnership in the Philippines – UnionBank of the Philippines Best Small Business Banking Service in the Philippines - Bank of the Philippine Islands
