FMIC named Best Domestic Bond House for 4th yr

MANILA, Philippines - For the fourth consecutive year, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) the investment arm of the Metrobank Group, bagged the Best Domestic Bond House in the Philippines award by The Asset Publishing and Research Ltd. in its Triple A Country Awards for 2012.

FMIC was cited for its leadership in the Philippine domestic bond market, participating in the issuance of P477 billion in bonds, representing 77.9 percent of the total bond issuance for both private and public sectors.

The company also remains as the front-runner in private debt issuances, successfully raising P35.5-billion corporate notes and P75 billion in loans, representing 49.6 percent and 73.5 percent, respectively, of the industry.

FMIC handles a well-balanced and diversified portfolio based on a wide range of industries in the private sector which include holding companies, power and utility corporations, food and beverage companies, financial institutions, and property, hotel and leisure companies.

 “We are pleased for once again being recognized as the Best Bond House in the Philippines by The Asset of Hong Kong for the fourth consecutive year. In our continued pursuit to develop the Philippine capital markets, we will continue to deliver the values essential to our approach in doing business – excellent performance, leadership and innovation,” said FMIC president Roberto Juanchito Dispo.”

The company’s debt capital market deals include PLDT’s P8-billion corporate notes, SM Investments Corp.’s P15-billion corporate bonds, First Pacific (Finance) Ltd’s $400-million bonds, SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s P7.5-billion corporate notes, Filinvest Land’s P7-billion retail bonds, Ayala Corporation’s P10-billion multiple put bonds, Ayala Land’s P15-billion retail bonds, Smart Communications’ P5.5-billion corporate notes, San Miguel Brewery’s P20-billion bonds, and Meralco’s P3-billion  corporate notes.

The investment bank also participated as issue manager in the Bureau of the Treasury’s two retail treasury bonds; the P110-billion 10- and 15-year RTB Tranche 14 and the P179.79-billion 15- and 20-year RTB Tranche 15.

FMIC also contributed significantly to equity capital market, raising P110.2 billion which accounted for 62.7 percent of the market. It acted as one of the domestic lead underwriters for Puregold Price Club Inc.’s P8.625-billion IPO, the country’s biggest IPO in 2011, and sole domestic coordinator, bookrunner, lead manager, and domestic lead underwriter in GT Capital Holdings Inc.’s P21.56-billion IPO, the country’s second largest IPO in history.