BSP cites BDO as commercial bank that generated the largest OFs remittances

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has again recognized BDO Unibank's role as a trusted partner of overseas Filipinos in sending their hard-earned money to their loved ones back home, by bestowing the "Commercial Bank that Generated the Largest Overseas Filipino Remittances" Award during the recently held 2019 BSP Stakeholders Awards.

The strong remittance service of BDO, through BDO Remit, is already a Gold Hall of Fame awardee under the said category as the bank won three straight "Commercial Bank that Generated the Largest Overseas Filipino Remittances" awards from 2013 to 2015. The Gold Hall of Fame Award was conferred to BDO in 2016.

BDO also went on to win the same award in 2017 (announced during the 2018 BSP Stakeholders Awards). Should the bank obtain the award again next year, BDO will achieve the Diamond Hall of Fame recognition, a first-ever for a local bank.

In 2014, the Board of Judges of the BSP Stakeholders Awards ruled that a distinction should be given to partner stakeholders who have won as outstanding partners for several consecutive years. As such, Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Hall of Fame Awards are granted to awardees who win in the same award category for three, six, and nine consecutive years, respectively.

BDO was also adjudged the Commercial Bank that Generated the Largest Overseas Filipino Remittances from 2008 to 2010.

Commercial Bank that Generated the Largest Overseas Filipino Remittances Award trophy

Consistent leadership in remittance service

Through its remittance arm, BDO has been at the forefront of providing overseas Filipinos various options and channels to send their money to their beneficiaries in the Philippines, anchored on its wide customer reach through its own offices abroad and partnership with various remittance companies and financial institutions across Asia, North America, and Europe.

"We live in a multi-channel world, and these channels have to work for the customer. And the bank who does that will be top of mind for the customer. This recognition from the BSP is proof of that. We offer overseas Filipinos a wide array of solutions to send money to their beneficiaries. In return, they have remained loyal to us," said BDO executive vice president and transaction banking head Edwin Romualdo G. Reyes. "We thank BSP for all these awards, and we hope to win again next year."

By opening a BDO Kabayan Savings account, beneficiaries can effortlessly receive and withdraw money sent from abroad. There’s also the Cash Pick-up Anywhere where beneficiaries can claim money at more 8,000 locations nationwide including from over 1,100 BDO branches; BDO Remit counters inside SM malls; rural banks and pawnshop partners.

"Our multitude of channels and options bring security and ease of use to our remitters. These awards from BSP inspire BDO to continue finding ways to further improve its services to the overseas Filipino market," said BDO senior vice president and remittance head Geneva T. Gloria.

(Left to right) BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, is the first ever recipient of BSP's Outstanding Financial Education Partner Award. In the photo are (left to right) BSP Monetary Board member and chairman of the BSP Awards Board of Judges, Victor Bruce J. Tolentino; BDO Foundation vice president and program director Rosemarie M. Espinosa; BDO Foundation president Mario A. Deriquito; and BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chair Benjamin E. Diokno.

BSP recognizes BDO Foundation

Meanwhile, BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO, was awarded as an Outstanding Financial Education Partner primarily for playing a key role in the financial literacy campaign of the BSP.

The Outstanding Financial Education Partner Award is in recognition of BDO Foundation's ongoing financial education programs for public schools, overseas Filipino workers and soldiers--corporate citizenship initiatives that support BSP's National Strategy for Financial Inclusion. The programs are the result of the foundation's partnerships with BSP, the Department of Education, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Army.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to BSP and its Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy for this honor. Thank you for collaborating with us, for giving us an opportunity to develop relevant programs and contribute to nation-building," said BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, who accepted the award together with BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa.

The award is the second received by the foundation for its financial inclusion advocacy. Earlier this year, its financial education program for public schools was named one of the best corporate social responsibility projects in Asia at the prestigious Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards 2019. BDO Foundation was one of only three Philippine organizations recognized in the event held in Taiwan. Other awardees are firms based in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam, among other countries.

(Left to right) BSP Monetary Board member and chairman of the BSP Awards Board of Judges, Victor Bruce J. Tolentino; BDO senior vice president and Chief Compliance Officer Federico P. Tancongco; BDO president and CEO Nestor V. Tan; and BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chair Benjamin E. Diokno.

BDO also received awards under the Outstanding Respondent to the Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey and Outstanding Partner for Children's Savings Mobilization-Universal/Commercial Banks categories, and was named finalists in the Clean Note Policy Campaign; PhilPaSS Participant Servicing Customer ePayments for Commercial Bank; Outstanding Regional Partner (Tuguegarao Branch) for BDO Unibank 44-Cash Hub Tuguegarao Branch; Outstanding Regional Partner (Cagayan de Oro Branch) for BDO Unibank-CDO Lapasan; Pagtugon Award-Rural Banks and Outstanding Regional Partner (Davao Regional Office) for its rural banking arm, One Network Bank.

The BSP Stakeholders’ Awards is held annually to honor outstanding partner institutions for their strong support and contribution to the statistical undertakings, information requirements, and advocacy programs of the BSP.