MANILA — Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) secures P50 billion from its maiden Sigla social bond issuance, marking the largest peso-denominated bond sale in the lender’s history.
The offering draws overwhelming investor interest, with total orders ballooning to roughly 10 times the initial P5 billion base offer. The strong demand prompts the bank to upsize the deal to meet appetite from institutional and retail investors.
Priced at a fixed rate of 5.4050 percent per annum, the bonds underscore sustained confidence in BPI’s credit profile and its sustainability-linked initiatives.
BPI says proceeds from the issuance will be earmarked solely for projects that deliver measurable social benefits. These include programs aligned with its Sustainable Funding Framework and compliant with the ASEAN Social Bonds Standards.
The bank notes that funds will support initiatives aimed at advancing financial inclusion and expanding access to essential services for underserved communities across the country.
Dino Gasmen, BPI treasurer and head of global markets, describes the transaction as a milestone for the institution’s sustainable finance agenda. He says the successful fundraising reinforces the bank’s push to drive inclusive economic growth.
With the record-sized issuance, BPI strengthens its position in the domestic capital markets while deepening its role in financing projects that generate both financial returns and positive social impact.