MANILA, Philippines - Sterling Bank of Asia, one of the leading savings banks in the country, will put up next year 13 new branches nationwide to expand its market reach.
The bank has set aside P132 million for the 13 new branches it plans to open in 2014. This branch expansion initiative will bring Sterling Bank’s network to a total of 51 branches.
“Sterling Bank is on expansion mode and our goal is to provide our customers with the best possible personal banking experience. We always look for ways to support the needs of the growing number of communities in which we operate,†president & CEO Lamberto R. Villena said.
Two of the 13 new branches will be located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig while other locations are slated to open in San Pablo-Laguna, Calamba-Laguna, Caloocan, San Fernando-Pampanga, San Fernando-La Union, Puerto Princesa, Lucena, Legaspi-Albay, Naga, Boracay and Zamboanga.
The new branches will have a different layout meant to provide its clients a better banking experience. “With our commitment to challenge the status quo, we continuously embark on innovating our services and make banking with Sterling Bank more personal. The new branch layout will make it easier for clients to transact comfortably†Villena pointed out.
Sterling Bank was the first bank that issued Visa EMV-chip enabled ATM cards when it launched its ShopNPay Visa debit and prepaid cards in 2008. Currently, 52 percent of its card base already have EMV chips for better security against ATM frauds.