Union Bank eyes 2-digit market share

MANILA, Philippines - Union Bank of the Philippines, the main banking unit of the Aboitiz Group, is eyeing to double its market share in the medium-term as it pursues an aggressive expansion program in its local and international operations, a top bank official said.

Union Bank president Victor Valdepenas told reporters over the weekend that from only 1.9 percent in 2011, its share of the market expanded to four percent in 2013.

He said they are hoping to eat up another four percent of the market in the next five to 10 years.

 â€œBy 2020, we see our share doubling to eight percent through organic and inorganic growth,” he said.

 â€œThat is our goal to continuously grow our bank along side with the ongoing integration in the Asean community. We have to have size that is part of our thrust to improve our market share to a bigger footprint,” he said.

To realize this goal, he said they have been scouting for acquisition  opportunities.

 â€œAnything that makes sense in enhancing our competitive advantage in the financial industry is our concern,” he said.

Recently, Union Bank had signified interest to be a strategic partner in rehabilitating Export and Industry Bank (EIB).

 â€œWe have informed and have been talking with the Philippine Deposit and Insurance Corp. to signify our interest to be part of the rehabilitation of EIB or perhaps acquire it,” he said.

But he said the talks on EIB are still in the very early stages.