Citi grabs best bank award anew

MANILA, Philippines - For the ninth consecutive year, Citi Philippines bagged the Best Bank award at The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2012. It likewise won for the third consecutive time as Best Foreign Investment Bank in the Philippines.

“These twin awards for our performance in 2012 are a great way to start the new year.  We are deeply honored to be part of an institution acknowledged for its strength and leadership in the Philippine banking industry,” Sanjiv Vohra, Citi Philippines country officer, said.

In its editorial, The Asset cited Citi’s strong growth in its operations last year.

“Underpinned by the combined capabilities in corporate and investment banking, as well as in consumer markets, this reinforces its position as a leading wholesale and retail banking franchise in the country,” it wrote.

 Citi also provides a comprehensive and advanced range of cash management, trade services, global securities and funds services in the Philippines.  Its prepaid cards with key public sector mandates launched in 2012 further strengthen Citi’s range of cash management solutions.

Meanwhile, its leadership in credit cards, personal loans and wealth management likewise highlights its consumer banking presence.

It continues to leverage partnerships with various industry leaders in offering co-branded cards such as the new Cebu Pacific Citibank Card and Megaworld Citibank Card. A key milestone in 2012 was the launch of its first smart banking branch in the Philippines, redefining retail banking experience with interactive media walls, online workstations, and a next generation automated teller machine, among others.

 Named Best Foreign Investment Bank for the third year, Citi was credited by The Asset magazine for “leveraging its global network in executing equity, debt and advisory assignments.”

Citi played a key role in significant transactions involving top-tier corporate and financial institutions as well as the Republic of the Philippines. Citi was a joint lead manager and joint underwriter for the $1-billion rights issue for BDO Unibank Inc. – the largest ever capital-raising in the Philippine equity markets – which was recognized by The Asset as the Philippines’ Best Deal for the year.

Citi also assisted SM Investments Corp. in raising $250 million through the issuance of convertible bonds at attractive costs, taking advantage of an opportune market window.

It acted as arranger and joint bookrunner for the Republic of the Philippines in its 25-year, $1.5 billion global bonds priced in early 2012; and was the financial adviser to International Container Terminal Services Inc. when the company acquired a stake in Pakistan International Container Terminal.