Banking on success by making a difference

MANILA, Philippines - One hundred sixty years of a tradition of banking excellence is more than just a remarkable achievement for a financial institution as established as the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Beyond all its success, the feat was largely a milestone for the BPI and its clients — a testament to the outstanding character of the Filipino men and women who continuously etch their mark on the global economic scene.

Today, BPI goes beyond banking as it provides its clients the tools to recognize illustrious economic opportunities and form synergies and partnerships with like-minded individuals. “BPI is thanking its clients for continuing to trust us as their preferred banking institution over the years,” says Cecile Tan, senior vice president and head of BPI Private Banking. “As part of our 160th-anniversary celebrations, we are providing our clients with value-added insights beyond banking that will help them network with our other clients and achieve financial progress a lot easier.”

More than just being the country’s most trusted banking institution, BPI eyes becoming more than just every Filipino’s banking partner. And this vision is being shaped into reality as BPI brings together two of today’s young achievers — Joseph Sigelman and Lance Gokongwei — who shared their experiences and success stories in a business and leadership forum at The Peninsula Manila on June 16.

Joe Sigelman shared his experience as a well-educated individual who pioneered perhaps the world’s most in-demand industry today. He is a great example of a man who triumphed through the boldness of decision-making and struck a new market by seizing opportunities that came his way.

Lance Gokongwei, on the other hand, carries a very prominent name in the Philippines. Having been born to a business-minded family, Lance’s success story reveals how he took the family business to the next level and how successful succession planning in such a distinctive setup can be best achieved.

The Story of a  Banker

Joe was a man who had a great desire for learning.

After graduating from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in New Jersey and working as a banker, Joe realized that he still had a lot of things to learn. He entered Harvard Business School and worked at Goldman Sachs International in London — an American investment banking and securities firm.

There, he and his friend from Princeton, Randolph “Randy” Altschuler, conceptualized the idea of pioneering business process outsourcing (BPO). And it was in 1999 when they established OfficeTiger, the first-ever BPO firm in India. What started as a mere desktop-publishing arm for a US-based global bank has now grown into a multimillion dollar firm focused on the outsourcing of pre-media, accounting, research, and analytics for leading investment banks, law firms, and large corporations.

Since then, Joe and OfficeTiger’s success story have been the subject of several magazines, newspapers, and TV programs. He was also awarded the Annual Star of Asia Award by Business Week in 2005, and was named a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in 2008. Today, Joe serves as executive chairman of Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Incorporated. He also co-founded and led as CEO PetroTiger, the leading regional petroleum and infrastructure services company in Latin America.

Like Father, Like Son

Success is defined by how you learn from both your achievements and mistakes, and use it to shape the man you will be in the future.

These were the words of Lance Y. Gokongwei, president and chief operating officer of JG Summit Holdings Incorporated and the lone son among six children of the one of the most prominent businessman in the country, John L. Gokongwei Jr.

Lance believes that while he was fortunate enough to be born into a business family, what really completes a success story like his is a great deal of determination and drive to triumph.

Growing up, he witnessed how his dad set out his priorities in life: his family and his business. That’s something he tries to apply in his own life, both as a business icon and a family man.

Today, Lance is also the president and COO of Universal Robina Corporation, as well as president and CEO of budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air. He is also the vice chairman and deputy CEO of Robinson’s Land Corporation, a director of Digitel Philippines, and chairman of Robinson’s Bank.

Celebrating a Tradition of Excellence

Reaping the fruits of success at a very young age has always been a source of inspiration, especially in today’s economic climate, which rarely sees a steady, upward trend.

Joe Sigelman and Lance Gokongwei were primed for living successful lives after only a few years of hard work. Yet their accomplishments were never handed to them on a silver platter; both had to persevere to make themselves the people that they are today. Their unique tales of success and expertise offer such valuable insights to BPI’s clients as the company strengthens its commitment to make investing and managing their resources easier for them.

Given its determination to provide customers with the best banking experience and its constant reassessment and improvement of its processes and programs, BPI continues to promote a culture of excellence as it continues to serve countless companies, organizations, and families. “Our commitment to our clients isn’t just limited to ensuring that they have a stable financial future,” shares Maria Theresea Marcial-Javier, BPI group head and chief investment officer of the asset management and trust group. “We always find new ways to improve our processes to make sure provide them with ‘beyond banking’ privileges such as this event.”

One of the initiatives that BPI has implemented recently is the BPI Investments Online — the country’s first full-service online investment facility. BPI clients can now enjoy the convenience of initiating investment transactions through the Internet quickly, inexpensively, and virtually anytime, anywhere. Clients can also access portfolio information, explore further investment opportunities, subscribe to additional funds, redeem investments, and make regular contributions via the Regular Subscription Plan (RSP) at their utmost convenience.

BPI is guided by the belief that the life every Filipino’s wants does not depend on what we have. It’s all about what we do with what we have. Different people have different dreams, hopes, and aspirations but BPI works to make a better life more reachable for everyone. For BPI, it’s all about making life easy.

For more information about BPI, visit www.bpiexpressonline.com or contact Angela Mirasol at 816-9853.