Top Bank opens 41st branch in Iloilo City

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By Mariela Angella Oladive

Top Bank Philippines Inc. (formerly Country Builders Bank Inc.), one of the country’s leading rural banks, continues its nationwide expansion with the opening of its 41st branch at 243 E. Lopez St., Jaro, Iloilo City, on August 20.

This marks the bank’s third branch in the Visayas as it aims to reach 50 branches nationwide by the end of 2025.

The inauguration was led by Top Bank Chairman Caesar Wongchuking and President Ismael Sandig, joined by former Senator Franklin Drilon and wife Mila, Francis Chu representing Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, and Executive Assistant Jay Treñas.

The branch blessing was officiated by Fr. Arnel Ong, SJ, president of Ateneo de Iloilo.

Also present were Alvin Tan, Vice President for Operations of Iloilo Builders Corporation; executives from Everest Cold Storage Inc., chaired by Wongchuking, including Managing Director Christopher Chua and General Manager Michael Chua; along with other Iloilo business leaders, food distributors and real estate developers.

Sandig highlighted the bank’s mission to make banking accessible to every Filipino while continuing to innovate to meet the evolving needs of businesses and communities.

He said the opening of the Iloilo branch brings them closer to this goal.

“We chose Iloilo because it is one of the most vibrant and fastest-developing economies in the country,” Sandig said.

“It has been a major source of development not only in outsourcing but also in industrial and commercial development. That’s why we are happy to be here.”

Meanwhile, Drilon, in his message, praised Iloilo’s steady economic rise and welcomed Top Bank’s investment.

“Iloilo has shown remarkable progress in the last two decades,” Drilon said.

“Infrastructure has laid the foundation for more opportunities. My congratulations to Top Bank for choosing Iloilo as the site of your 41st branch.”

Top Bank offers a complete range of deposit products, including Regular Savings, Super Kid Savings, Checking Accounts, SSS Pensioner’s Accounts, Microfinance Savings (My e-Pon), Dollar and Peso Time Deposits, and Wealth Builder Accounts.

Loan facilities include housing, salary, personal, SME, microfinance, and SSS pensioner loans.

Complementary services such as debit cards, bills payment, mobile banking, and remittances further strengthen its commitment to accessible and convenient banking.

The Jaro branch team, led by Business Manager Ruffy Del Castillo, has already begun community engagement by joining the Uswag Negosyo Academy of the Iloilo City Government earlier this August to support market vendors and small entrepreneurs.

With its steady growth and clear vision, Top Bank is preparing for its transition into a savings bank, aiming to serve clients from microfinance borrowers to corporate accounts.