At the Best Investment Banks and Sustainable Finance Awards organized by Global Finance, BPI received four major distinctions:
Best Bank for Sustainable Bonds – Global
Best Bank for Sustainable Bonds – Asia Pacific
Best Bank for Sustaining Communities – Asia Pacific
Best Bank for Sustainable Finance – Philippines
Why it matters:
These accolades highlight BPI’s innovative ESG+E₂ framework, which links Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices to measurable Economic (E₂) value. The model—developed as early as the 1980s—drives inclusive growth while ensuring long-term benefits for all stakeholders.
What they’re saying:
“Sustainability is not a side initiative at BPI—it is deeply embedded in the way we do business,” said Eric Luchangco, BPI CFO and chief sustainability officer. “Through ESG+E₂, we ensure that our sustainability initiatives generate positive real economic value, enabling progress that is both inclusive and enduring.”
“These awards validate our approach and reflect the collective effort of our teams to integrate sustainability across every aspect of our operations,” Luchangco added. “More importantly, they reaffirm that doing what’s right for people and the planet is also good for business.”
Behind the strategy:
BPI’s board-approved Sustainability Agenda integrates ESG principles into its strategy, operations, and risk management framework. It rests on two business pillars:
Responsible Banking: embedding ESG in lending, investment, and advisory decisions to support sustainable development. This includes green financing, sustainable bonds, and inclusive financial products.
Responsible Operations: reducing the Bank’s environmental and social footprint through energy efficiency initiatives, sustainable procurement, and ethical operations.
The context:
Supporting both pillars are strong governance and compliance mechanisms aligned with national and global standards, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Leadership matters:
BPI chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala has long been a global advocate for sustainability. In 2017, he was recognized as one of only ten Corporate Champions of the UN SDGs—the only Filipino included—underscoring the Bank’s commitment at the highest levels of governance. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
