Manila, Philippines, 13 August 2026 – Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco, president and CEO of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), was named Best Bank CEO in the Philippines, while BPI received the Best Managed Bank in the Philippines award at The Asian Banker Philippines Awards 2026 in Manila. The International Council of Advisors of TAB Global recognised Limcaoco and BPI for a period of significant institutional transformation marked by disciplined execution, successful integration and continued investment in digital capabilities. Under Limcaoco’s leadership, BPI expanded its scale and reach while maintaining strong financial performance, operational resilience and a clear focus on responsible growth. BPI integrates Robinsons Bank while sustaining loan and income growth A defining achievement under Limcaoco’s leadership was the integration of Robinsons Bank, which expanded BPI’s customer base, distribution network and market reach. The integration required the consolidation of branches, customer accounts, technology systems and operating processes across the enlarged institution. BPI completed this complex transformation while preserving service continuity and business momentum, demonstrating its ability to execute a major institutional integration without losing strategic focus. While Robinsons Bank provided a meaningful addition to BPI’s total asset base, the greater strategic value of the transaction lies in the access it provides to the wider Gokongwei Group ecosystem, which previously owned Robinsons Bank. This gives BPI opportunities to deepen relationships across a broad network of businesses and customers spanning retail, property, aviation, food and other consumer-facing sectors, creating new avenues for deposits, lending, payments, wealth management and other financial services. The enlarged franchise continued to deliver strong financial performance, with healthy growth in lending and operating income alongside improved efficiency. BPI also maintained sound profitability, capital strength and asset quality as it absorbed the larger franchise. These results reflected the benefits of increased scale following the integration, supported by disciplined balance-sheet management, operational consolidation and improved efficiency. BPI expands digital banking through its “phygital” model Under Limcaoco, BPI continued to reshape how customers interact with the bank through an integrated “phygital” model combining mobile and digital banking with redesigned branches and agency-banking partnerships. The model allows more routine transactions to migrate to digital channels while branches focus increasingly on advisory services and more complex customer requirements. The combination of physical and digital distribution has also extended the bank’s reach and enabled it to serve customers through a wider range of channels. BPI supported this transition through continued investment in technology, people and institutional capabilities. It embedded technology across customer acquisition, service delivery, risk management and operational processes, creating a more scalable operating model for its larger and increasingly diverse customer franchise. BPI grows its SME, microfinance and wealth management businesses BPI also broadened its reach among underserved and emerging customer segments. Expansion in SME banking and microfinance strengthened its support for entrepreneurs and local businesses, while wider digital access reduced barriers to banking and investment services. Its wealth management franchise continued to expand, with BPI Wealth recording strong growth in both assets under management and its client base. This reflected the bank’s increasing ability to serve customers across different wealth segments and deepen relationships as their financial needs become more sophisticated. Under Limcaoco’s leadership, BPI has strengthened the scale, integration and operating capacity of its franchise. It managed a complex merger, advanced its digital transformation and expanded customer access while maintaining financial discipline and service continuity. The International Council of Advisors recognised these achievements as evidence of the resilience and quality of BPI’s management model and Limcaoco’s leadership in guiding one of the Philippines’ largest financial institutions through a period of significant transformation. About the CEO Leadership Achievement and Best Managed Bank Awards The TAB Global CEO Leadership Achievement Award is among the most selective leadership distinctions in financial services, recognising chief executives whose leadership has materially transformed the performance, direction and standing of their institutions. It is not awarded for short-term success or isolated performance metrics. It recognises leadership that delivers sustained strategic outcomes, organisational discipline, commercial strength and the confidence of stakeholders across customers, shareholders, regulators and employees. Presented alongside it, the Best Managed Bank Award reflects a complementary principle: that leadership is ultimately measured by the institution it builds. The strongest banks do not emerge by accident. They are the product of disciplined execution, coherent strategy, operational resilience and a culture capable of sustaining performance over time. The Best Managed Bank Award recognises institutions that embody those qualities and stand as benchmarks within their markets. Together, these awards celebrate leadership not as title or personality, but as institutional achievement made visible. Visit https://tabglobalawards.com/leadership/ for details. About TAB Global TAB Global owns and manages a number of world-class digital content platforms, namely The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society and BankQuality.com, as well as learning platforms including The Banking Academy and The Skill Store. Incorporated in Singapore, it has offices in Beijing and Dubai and support offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, with plans to expand to Johannesburg, London, Zurich and New York. Visit https://www.tab.global/ for details. Media contact Nanda Lakhwani Editor TAB Global Email: nlakhwani@tab.global
