PBCom embarks on modernization program

The Philippine Bank of Communications is embarking on a major expansion and modernization program designed to strengthen the bank and enhance profitability on a sustained basis, PBCom President and CEO Isidro Alcantara announced yesterday.

The bank’s three major stockholder groups have put in escrow an additional P3 billion to bring total capital to more than P9 billion, making PBCom the best capitalized commercial bank.

The bank’s three major owners are: the Luy Group, 37 percent; the Nubla Group, 28 percent; and the Chung Group, 26 percent. They are venerable Chinese names in big business but low key.

At the same time, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) will put in P7.6 billion in financial enhancement. They money will be invested in high-yield government securities to backstop the unloading of PBCom’s non-performing loans into a special purpose asset vehicle (SPAV).

As a result of the massive infusion by PBCom owners and PDIC’s financial enhancement program, the bank will invariably become one of the strongest for its size with a sustained and improved profitability moving forward.

With the fund infusion, expansion and modernization, PBCom may be expected to chalk up from P200 million to P1 billion in annual profits beginning this year.

The bank will form a special purpose asset vehicle (SPAV) company to handle the non-performing assets. A large multinational accounting firm will conduct the due diligence and valuation for these NPAs.

To help management achieve the bank’s strategic objectives, PBCom expanded its board from 12 to 15 directors.

The PBCom SPAV could become the first real SPAV for NPL management. Previous attempts by other banks with huge NPLs did not prove fruitful so far.

The bank plans to focus on its strong middle to high-end Filipino-Chinese market clientele, expanding into the wholesale banking mortgage market with its higher yield and stable housing portfolio. PBCom also has strong and stable trust banking business.

Professional managers were previously brought in to improve business processes, streamline and completely automate operations, improve efficiency with leaner work force, and enhance credit and risk management processes.