Metrobank wins top awards from The Asian Banker

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) affirmed its industry leadership, being named as the Best Managed Bank in the Philippines and its President, Fabian Dee, being recognized as the Best Bank CEO at the 2025 The Asian Banker (TAB) Leadership Achievement Awards held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

“For his visionary leadership in strengthening fundamentals, expanding the business, advancing operational excellence, cultivating talent and driving digital innovation, the award for Best Bank CEO in the Philippines is given to Metrobank’s President Fabian S. Dee, and under his leadership, Metrobank is recognized as the Best Managed Bank in the Philippines,” according to the Asian Banker.

“Metrobank’s vision to empower clients through tailored financial solutions has supported its financial performance, diversified franchise, and focus on operational excellence. It has

sustained profitability through prudent lending, disciplined cost management and sound asset quality,” the publication said.

The Asian Banker also noted the Bank’s loan performance that is supported by its responsible credit strategies, active risk management, and a solid capital base that helped it to achieve a sustainable portfolio expansion over the years. It likewise pointed out how Metrobank’s extensive branch network, experienced relationship managers, and investment specialists were effective in serving different target segments, including the middle market and large corporates. Moreover, it underscored Metrobank’s digital transformation initiatives that helped enhance customers’ experience and increased employees’ productivity and service quality.

“We are honored to receive these awards. After more than four decades as a banker, half of which I’ve had the privilege of working with the diverse clients of Metrobank. To be recognized for leadership is a clear reflection of our focus on what is most important to us: our customers,” said Metrobank President Fabian Dee during his acceptance speech at the awarding ceremony.

“With customer and business trends shifting fast, we always take the long-term strategic view and remain grounded on the basics. We do this to ensure that we remain to be a reliable financial partner for our clients, that’s always prudent in providing credit, practices sound risk management, and stays focused on providing products, services, and relevant insights that would make a difference. All these, with one goal in mind: to serve our customers better,” he added.

The TAB Global Leadership Achievement Awards program is widely recognized by the financial services industry as the highest individual accolade in the sector worldwide. It is guided by a panel of global leaders and subject matter experts serving as advisors.

Introduced in 2004, the Leadership Achievement Awards focuses on the performance of CEOs and board chairpersons in financial services and is run once every three years to allow time for leaders to execute strategies and demonstrate impact. This award is among the most demanding and exclusive of its kind, because of its stringent evaluation process. Meanwhile, the Best Managed Bank award is presented alongside the CEO Leadership Achievement Award, underscoring the value of strong leadership in building strong and sustainable institutions.