In Photo: Sonny Marpuri, First Vice President of BDO Singapore branch and Candice Lee, Manager of
Institutional Banking of BDO Singapore received BDO’s Sustainable Finance Initiative of the Year and Health
& Wellness Bank of the Year awards from Ho Kok Yong, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer of Deloitte at the
Asian Banking & Finance Wholesale Banking Awards 2023 in Singapore.
BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) received the Sustainable Finance Initiative of the Year
Award at the 2023 Asian Banking & Finance Wholesale Banking Awards in
Singapore. BDO’s unwavering commitment to Sustainable Finance was recognized as
the Bank financed groundbreaking renewable energy projects, pioneered innovative
funding channels, forged sustainable partnerships with international financial
institutions, and integrated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in funding
projects.
BDO recognizes the critical role of financial institutions in managing its environmental
and social risks and financing the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Since
2010, BDO has financed a mix of 55 renewable energy projects for wind, solar,
geothermal, hydro, and biomass energy sources accounting for 2,230 megawatts of
total installed renewable energy capacity nationwide.
BDO pioneered the issuance of the first Green Bond in the East Asia and Pacific region
in 2017, which was earmarked for renewable energy, energy efficiency and green
buildings projects. With International Finance Corporation (IFC) as sole anchor investor,
it was the first for banks and a landmark transaction in the country that catalyzed
financing eligible renewable energy projects. IFC was also the sole investor when BDO
issued the first Blue Bond in Southeast Asia in 2022 for funding water and wastewater
management projects along with offshore wind projects at sea.
“This recognition is a testament to the Bank’s commitment to sustainability.
Sustainability principles are ingrained in the way we conduct business and in everything
that we do,” said Nestor V. Tan, President and CEO of BDO Unibank.
The Bank continues to expand its Sustainable Finance initiatives, in place since 2010,
towards funding new and existing renewable energy projects to increase their capacity,
and support the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions to the 2015 Paris
Agreement that aims to reduce 75% of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
by 2030.
The Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Wholesale Banking Awards recognize financial
institutions for their outstanding performance in demonstrating leadership and
exceptional customer service. The judges also assess the wholesale banks’ unique
and innovative initiatives and cutting-edge deals, their impact to clients’ businesses, and
significant contributions in the industry.
BDO is the country’s largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust
funds under management. The Bank has the country’s largest distribution network, with
over 1,600 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,700 ATMs nationwide,
with 16 international offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The
Bank also offers extensive digital banking solutions to make banking easier, faster, and
more secure for its clients.
Apart from Asian Banking & Finance Awards, BDO received a Platinum Award for
Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Best Sustainability
Bond for Financial Institution in the Philippines at the recent Asset Awards. BDO also
won the Best Advance in Sustainability Practices Award at the Retail Banker
International Asia Trailblazer Awards. For the second consecutive year, BDO was
named Top Sustainability Advocate in Asia and Industry Champion of the Year at the
2022 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards.
