Philippines' Ayala and Gokongwei groups to merge banks

Uniting BPI and Robinsons Bank would create country's 2nd-biggest private lender

Ayala and Gokongwei groups, two of the Philippines' most powerful conglomerates, have agreed to merge their respective banking units. (Source photos screenshot from BPI and Robinsons bank)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer

September 30, 2022 15:06 JST

Updated on September 30, 2022 20:05 JST

MANILA -- Ayala and Gokongwei groups, two of the Philippines' most powerful conglomerates, on Friday announced they will merge their banking units, as lenders in the country move to build scale and navigate a wave of digitalization.

Ayala owns Bank of the Philippine Islands, the country's fourth-largest lender by assets, while Gokongwei Group's Robinsons Bank is the 17th biggest, according to data from the Philippine central bank as of the end of March.