CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp. recently marked its 30th anniversary at the Manila Polo Club with an Appreciation Dinner themed “CTBC Bank at 30: Global Strength. Local Heart.” The celebration gathered valued clients, key partners, and esteemed dignitaries in gratitude for decades of trust and support.

Senior officials from CTBC Bank Co., Ltd., the Bank’s parent institution in Taiwan, led by president and CEO Tony Yang, joined members of the CTBC Bank Philippines Board of Directors and management led by its Chairman Jason Wang in welcoming the distinguished guests. Among those in attendance were former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr.; Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow; and Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Directors Wilson Tecson and Atty. Reynaldo Catapang.

In his welcome remarks, CTBC Bank Philippines president and CEO Luis S. Elizaga highlighted that the celebration was more than a commemoration of a milestone—it was a tribute to the enduring relationships that have shaped the Bank’s success.

“Our 30th anniversary celebrates not only our milestones but also the journey we have shared with our clients and partners—the cornerstone of our success,” Elizaga said. “With CTBC Bank’s strong international network, we are excited to open even more doors for our clients, connecting opportunities across borders and helping them grow not just locally, but globally.”

CTBC Bank Co., Ltd. president and CEO Tony Yang reaffirmed the Parent Bank’s strong support for the Philippine subsidiary, expressing confidence in its strategic direction: expanding its digital capabilities, credit card and wealth management businesses, and cross-border investment opportunities.

A highlight of the evening was the ceremonial toast led by president Yang and joined by the CTBC Bank Philippines Board of Directors, symbolizing three decades of shared growth and partnership.

Guests were serenaded by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, which performed both classical and contemporary pieces during the pre-dinner cocktails and throughout the evening. The program was hosted by multi-awarded entrepreneur and communicator RJ Ledesma, with the raffle of exciting prizes adding to the festive mood.

The event embodied CTBC Bank’s brand promise, “We are Family,” and its message of being empowered by global strength and a local heart. After 30 years, the Bank continues to uphold its promise of nurturing deep and lasting relationships that stand the test of time.

As part of its ongoing digital transformation, CTBC Bank Philippines has strengthened its Core Banking System to deliver faster, more efficient, and seamless banking services. The enhanced platform supports streamlined customer onboarding, real-time remittance processing, and improved regulatory compliance aligned with ISO 20022 standards.

The Bank has also upgraded its retail and corporate internet banking platforms, migrated operations to a more resilient data center, and expanded its cloud infrastructure to further enhance service reliability and security. Upcoming initiatives include online deposit onboarding with eKYC, as well as mobile and ATM check clearing through the Check Imaging Clearing System (CICS), and the expansion of account access through convenience stores nationwide - all aimed at providing clients with greater convenience, accessibility, and a superior digital banking experience.

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 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.”

______________
¹Megalink and Hitachi Digital Payment Solutions are subsidiaries of Hitachi Channel Solution Corporation in the Philippines. Hitachi Channel Solution Corporation is a leading vendor of cash recycling ATMs in the world. It also provides a suite of banking and digital commerce solutions.