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That strategy recently drew industry validation, reinforcing how clear storytelling has become a competitive advantage for financial institutions navigating tighter regulation and higher stakeholder expectations.
The bank’s 2024 Integrated Report earned top honors at the 61st Anvil Awards, held on Jan. 28, receiving the Platinum Anvil—the highest recognition for PR Tools—after emerging as the top-rated entry among all Gold Anvil winners.
The report stood out among 622 entries from 178 companies nationwide, underscoring the scale and competitiveness of the country’s premier public relations recognition program.
Why it matters
Integrated reporting is no longer just about compliance. For banks, it has become a trust-building tool—one that helps investors, customers, regulators, and communities understand not just results, but relevance.
Judges cited Security Bank’s report, “At the heart of everything we do, is you,” for its clarity, transparency, and ability to translate complex corporate information into a credible, engaging narrative.
The report was recognized for strengthening stakeholder understanding while demonstrating strong strategic thinking and measurable communication effectiveness.
“This report was never just about publishing numbers. It was about telling the story of how we serve people and create value—grounded in stronger sustainability reporting and regulatory alignment. It reflects our commitment to BetterBanking: working to make things easier and clearer for customers, delivering sustainable growth and strong governance for investors, fostering a culture of purpose for our people, and creating positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Tanya Ansaldo-Deakin, FVP and corporate communications head, Security Bank.
Between the lines
According to a company statement, the recognition reflects a deliberate shift toward communications that balance regulatory rigor with human-centered storytelling—positioning clarity as a long-term strategic asset rather than a one-off campaign.
The momentum extended beyond corporate reporting. Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), the bank’s corporate social responsibility arm, also received national recognition for programs delivering measurable outcomes in education and community partnerships.
SBFI earned two Silver Anvil Awards under the Public Relations Programs category. One honored its disaster-resilient classroom initiative, which builds public school classrooms five times faster and at 20 percent lower cost than public standards—innovations now being considered in national school-building policies.
The other recognized a vision-care partnership that provided screenings and free eyeglasses to 1,170 students across Laguna, Batangas, and Bulacan, contributing to a 328-percent increase in independent readers in participating schools.
“These awards remind us that development is not just about buildings or numbers—it is about children finally being able to read, learn, and dream,” said Rafael Simpao Jr., chair, Security Bank Foundation.
“When we listen closely to communities and work together with partners who share the same heart, real change happens.”
What’s next
As expectations rise across finance, governance, and sustainability, Security Bank’s experience suggests the smartest banking move may not be saying more—but saying things more clearly. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
