Equitable PCIBank sets growth program

Equitable PCI Bank is expanding its branch network to position itself for faster economic growth in the future and as part of this drive it expects to open 24 more branches this year, a senior bank official said.

Dennis B. Velasquez, senior vice president and retail banking group head, said in addition to six opened in the first semester, the bank plans to set up 24 more new branches. This will strengthen its nationwide branch infrastructure and enable the bank to reach more customers in the capital and in the provinces.

"We have continuously pursued our branch expansion activities not only in Metro-Manila but also in the provinces because we realize their strategic growth potentials, and we want to be an active partner in the development of these regions," said Velasquez.

"For example, in Cebu and Bacolod alone, our network of offices in these two provinces has enabled us to reach at least 33 important growth areas and their burgeoning markets," he said.

The bank also intends to expand its network of 440 onsite and offsite ATMs and expects to set up 30 more ATMs this year. Currently the only ATM network in the country that forms part of the BancNet, MegaLink, and Express Net consortiums, FASTeller ATM cardholders can easily gain access to over 4,000 ATMs nationwide.