LANDBANK bags innovation, sustainability honors in Asia CEO Awards

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) was recognized as a Circle of Excellence awardee for innovation and sustainable finance at the 12th Asia CEO Awards, garnering top points among the 514 entries from both government and private-sector organizations.

LANDBANK bagged the Most Innovative Company of the Year award for its Agent Banking Program, which forms part of the Bank’s thrust of serving unbanked and underserved Filipinos, especially those living in areas with limited or no bank presence.

As of September 2021, the Bank has certified 162 Full-Suite Agent Banking Partners (ABPs) and 660 POS-only ABPs composed of cooperatives, rural banks, local government units, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to provide basic financial services in 45 unbanked municipalities and 131 underserved municipalities.

LANDBANK has also tapped over 150 ABPs to co-locate with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in over 500 registration centers nationwide for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), to help onboard unbanked registrants to the formal banking system in support of the National Government’s financial inclusion agenda.

The state-run Bank also received the Most Sustainable Company of the Year award for promoting environmentally sustainable programs to address climate-related issues, and for integrating sustainable finance in all aspects of the Bank’s operations.

Last year, LANDBANK also made a successful return to the capital markets by generating P5 billion through the maiden Sustainability Bonds offer, designed to finance various loan programs that support sustainable green and social projects.

“There is still so much to do as we navigate, recover, and rise from this economic and health crisis. Yet, these recognitions strengthen our spirit to serve with passion and overcome the challenges before us,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

The 2021 Asia CEO Awards is on its 12th year of recognizing outstanding leadership achievements by individuals and organizations in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region.