User:Ericndt/Bank of Commerce

Bank of Commerce, also known as BankCom, Bancommerce and BoC, is a commercial bank and the 15th largest lender by asset in the Philippines. Its headquarters is at the San Miguel Properties Center, No. 7 Saint Francis Avenue, Mandaluyong City. It is affiliated with the San Miguel Corporation group.

Early Years
Historically, the bank traces its origins to the Overseas Bank of Manila, which was incorporated in December 1963.

Evolving from history of mergers and acquisitions in 1981, Government Service Insurance System (Philippines) acquired Commercial Bank of Manila from the Herdis group and used ComBank as the bank's acronym. In 1987, the First National Bank of Boston (one of the oldest and leading banks in the United States ) joined a group of Filipino entrepreneurs to acquire Combank in response to the privatization thrust of the Philippine government and renamed the bank as the Boston Bank of the Philippines.

A group of Filipino investors – leaders in fields of communications, stock market and brokerage, pre-need services and banking and finance–reinforced the ownership base of the Bank. Bank of Commerce was established on November 28, 1991. Initially the bank focused on Trade Finance Transactions and strengthening other fee based income capabilities such as Trust Operations.

In 1993, upon the completion of the buyout of the majority interest of the First National Bank of Boston. The Bank formulated what was to be its long term vision and corporate mission.

By year 2000, as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas encouraged fewer but bigger players in the banking industry, the bank initiated its first step towards a 3 way merger. By September, the bank acquired Pan Asia Bank, Inc. A year after (2001), Bank of Commerce purchased selected assets and liabilities of Trader's Royal Bank paving the way for the takeover of all the branches thereby expanding the branch network to 112. The Monetary Board also approved in principle the bank's acquisition of Urban Bank.

In 2005, the bank embarked in Tier 2 capital raising efforts and asset quality enhancements. The same year the bank formed ties with Republic of Equatorial Guinea providing the technical support needed in organizing the country's first National Bank.

Lehman Brothers' exposure
On September 17, 2008, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced that 7 Philippine banks have $386M in exposure to Lehman Brothers. Bank of Commerce was one of those affected having $15 million in exposure to the bankrupt US investment banking giant but the bank’s exposure was fully provided for as with the other affected banks.

San Miguel Corporation funding
On October 2007, San Miguel Corporation through its property arm San Miguel Properties Inc., and San Miguel Corporation Retirement Fund signed a 34.3% subscription agreement with Bank of Commerce which was approved by the Monetary Board May of succeeding year. On April 2008, San Miguel Corporation via its property arm San Miguel Properties Inc., and San Miguel Retirement fund signed another subscription agreement with Bank of Commerce giving the combined stake in the bank to 51.1% and was secured last May 2009.

Around April 2010, San Miguel Corporation planned on divesting its San Miguel Properties Inc's 31% stake in the bank and was eventually sold to the San Miguel Corporation Retirement Fund making the latter the controlling shareholder with 51.1% stake on the bank. The proposal was done to counter the regulatory limits imposed on shareholders of the bank .

Logo
The new logo embodies the ideals of the Bank of Commerce after acquisition from San Miguel Corporation. The leaves signify growth and regeneration; the droplets signify clarity and transparency and lastly, the escudo of San Miguel Corporation which symbolizes a partnership of strength and dependability.

Strategic Priorities
To reflect new commercial strategy, the bank has setup three strategic priorities :
 * align operations in the servicing of San Miguel Corporation clients and business partners;
 * grow current base of customers, and
 * strengthen capital position.