Taipei, August 27, 2025 – CTBC Bank highlighted its role in helping Taiwanese businesses expand in the Philippines through a high-level investment forum held in Taipei. The event, organized with Deloitte, JLL, and Aboitiz InfraCapital Real Estate, gathered over 60 business leaders and featured insights from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). Discussions focused on tax incentives, factory setup, financing, and successful cases of Taiwanese companies in the Philippines.

Earlier this year, CTBC Bank Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PEZA, strengthening collaboration to give businesses easier access to funding and investment support under PEZA’s Investment Promotion Partnership Program. This partnership was highlighted at the forum as a key milestone in helping Taiwanese enterprises capitalize on opportunities in the Philippines.

“As we celebrate 30 years in the Philippines, this partnership with PEZA is extra special. It allows CTBC Bank Philippines not only to support the financial needs of businesses, but also to play an active role in attracting foreign direct investments that contribute to nation-building. As a subsidiary of CTBC Bank in Taiwan, we understand the needs and aspirations of Taiwanese businesses. Combined with our three decades of local market expertise, we are uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between Taiwan and the Philippines, helping companies navigate the market with confidence and forge meaningful partnerships,” said Luis Elizaga, President and CEO of CTBC Bank Philippines.

Celebrating 30 years in the Philippines, CTBC Bank operates 25 branches nationwide and provides a full range of corporate and retail banking services. Leveraging its strong international network and local expertise, the Bank is committed to helping Taiwanese enterprises navigate global challenges and grow in the Philippines.

CTBC Bank, together with PEZA, Deloitte, JLL, and Aboitiz InfraCapital Real Estate, hosted a forum in Taipei to highlight investment opportunities in the Philippines. Photo shows (2nd – 4th from left) Ray Yeh, Taiwan Business Department Head, CTBC Bank Philippines; Luis Elizaga, President and CEO, CTBC Bank Philippines; Parker Hwang, Head of SEA Division, CTBC Bank Co. Ltd; and Napoleon Melendres, Chief of Staff, PEZA (5th from left); with Edward Domingo, Zone Manager, PEZA (8th from left), joined by officers from Deloitte, JLL, Aboitiz, PTIC and KINPO Group.

CTBC Bank Co. Ltd SEA Division Head Parker Hwang is acknowledged by the audience at the forum.

CTBC Bank Philippines President and CEO Luis Elizaga delivers his message during the investment forum, highlighting the Bank’s 30 years in the Philippines and its commitment to supporting Taiwanese businesses.

CTBC Bank Philippines Taiwan Desk Head Ray Yeh answers questions from participants during the open forum session, providing insights on financial solutions for Taiwanese enterprises entering the Philippine market.

Audience members listen closely during the investment forum which highlighted opportunities for Taiwanese businesses in the Philippines.

CTBC Bank Philippines today announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), marking the commencement of a significant strategic partnership focused on boosting investment opportunities within the Philippines.

This collaboration aligns with PEZA’s ongoing expansion of its Investment Promotion Partnership Program and underscores CTBC Bank’s strong global presence and unwavering commitment to supporting economic advancement in the Philippines.

Through this partnership, CTBC Bank Philippines will leverage its extensive network, financial expertise, and strong business connections, particularly within Taiwan and across Asia, to amplify PEZA’s efforts in attracting and supporting investors.

Representing PEZA at the signing ceremony were Director General Tereso O. Panga (third from left) and Atty. Jenny G. Romero, Legal Affairs Group Manager (rightmost). CTBC Bank Philippines was represented by President and CEO Luis S. Elizaga and Deputy CEO Arthur Wang.

*Photos courtesy of: Philippine Economic Zone Authority

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. recently received senior officials from CTBC Bank Philippines, headed by Vice Chairman William B. Go, for a courtesy visit. During the meeting, Luis S. Elizaga, who was recently confirmed as President and CEO of CTBC Bank Philippines by the BSP Monetary Board, conveyed his gratitude for the valuable support the BSP has provided to the Bank throughout its nearly thirty years of banking service in the Philippines. The Bank also outlined its strategic growth roadmap with the BSP, along with its commitment to further enhance its digital infrastructure to better serve its chosen markets. CTBC Bank Philippines is a subsidiary of CTBC Bank Co. Ltd., Taiwan’s most profitable and largest private bank. Present with BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona (sixth from left) were BSP Deputy Governor for Financial Supervision Sector Chuchi G. Fonacier (fourth from left) and Atty. Prudence Angelita A. Kasala (rightmost), Executive Offices Coordinator from the Office of the Governor. Representing CTBC Bank Philippines at the visit were (from left) Chief Compliance Officer Atty. Dexter A. Tay, Chief Risk Officer Rafael V. Rufino, Vice Chairman William B. Go, Independent Director Stephen D. Sy, President and CEO Luis S. Elizaga, and Deputy CEO Arthur Wang.

From left, at the table – Hiroshi Katagiri, former GM, Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippines Branch; Luis Elizaga, President and CEO, CTBC Bank Philippines; Jereven Adriano, SVP & Head, Information Technology Group, CTBC Bank Philippines; From left, standing – Lourdes Yap, Senior Director, Sales & Marketing, Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippines, Sandaruwan DeSilva, COO, Hitachi Digital Payment Solutions Philippines Inc., Raveen Vedarshana, CEO, Megalink, Inc., Yoichi Isoda, CEO, Hitachi Digital Payment Solutions Philippines Inc., Chief Marketing Officer, Megalink, Inc., Oliver Jimeno, Senior Adviser to the Board Chairman and former President & CEO, CTBC Bank Philippines, Arthur Wang, Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO, CTBC Bank Philippines.

CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp., in collaboration with Hitachi Asia, today unveiled its revamped Corporate NetBanking Web Portal. Building on the success of their previous partnership, which redesigned consumer-facing web interface and mobile banking applications, the two organisations are now extending their innovation to corporate banking. Empowering customers of all sizes – from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to large enterprises – businesses can now streamline financial operations with an upgraded, secure and user-centric platform, thereby improving operational efficiency and meeting the evolving corporate banking requirements.

The 2023 Report on the Status of Digital Payments in the Philippines highlights a significant milestone for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which surpassed its target under the BSP Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2020-2023 by increasing digital retail payments from 42.1% in 2022 to 52.8% in 2023. This latest collaboration between CTBC Bank Philippines and Hitachi Asia reinforces their continued commitment to accelerating digital transformation in financial services, making banking more accessible, affordable, and secure for businesses across the country.

The enhanced Corporate NetBanking Web Portal introduces a host of features that streamline financial operations, ensuring both efficiency and flexibility. Key functionalities include:

• •  Comprehensive Account Management: A unified platform that offers real-time access to deposit accounts, loan balances, and transaction histories, enabling businesses to make well-informed financial decisions.
• •  Comprehensive Payment Capabilities: Access to a wide range of payment channels for local and global transactions, including InstaPay, PESONet, BancNet IBFT, RTGS, PDDTS, and SWIFT, ensuring seamless payment processing for all business scales.
• •  Bulk Transaction Processing: Enhanced efficiency for corporate clients through bulk upload features for payments and payroll disbursements to significantly enhance operational productivity.
• •  Customisable Workflow and Approval Matrix: Flexible setups, ranging from basic single-approval workflows to complex multi-level matrices with transaction limits, provide businesses with the agility to adapt processes to their specific needs.

Security is a cornerstone of the Corporate NetBanking Web Portal, with features like two-factor authentication (2FA) ensuring robust protection against unauthorised access. Real-time notifications provide immediate updates on transactions, enhancing tracking and minimising fraud risks. Flexible approval workflows, such as Maker-Checker-Approver setups, further ensure compliance with corporate policies while adapting to specific organisational needs. Together, these measures create a secure and reliable foundation for businesses to confidently manage their financial activities.

“This new platform is more than a tool – it’s a strategic enabler for businesses to manage their finances with ease, efficiency, and confidence,” said Luis S. Elizaga, President and CEO of CTBC Bank Philippines. “Following the success of our retail app revamp, this collaboration with Hitachi Asia demonstrates our continued commitment to innovation, ensuring both our consumer and corporate clients have access to cutting-edge digital banking solutions.”

“In today’s financial landscape, ensuring secure and seamless access to banking services is non-negotiable,” said Lourdes Yap, Senior Director, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippines. “At Hitachi, we are committed to leveraging technology to enhance access to financial services and contribute to societal progress. Together with Hitachi Group of Companies – Megalink¹ and Hitachi Digital Payment Solutions¹, this partnership with CTBC Bank Philippines underscores our dedication to delivering innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency and safeguard financial data, enabling businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving market.”