Security Bank plans to add more branches in Visayas and Mindanao and increase sustainability financing twofold this year, following double-digit growth in consumer and corporate loans.
Security Bank Chief Financial Officer Eduardo Olbes said the bank aims to expand its branch network to 400 units, up from 340 in recent years.
Security Bank Chief Executive Officer Sanjiv Vohra said 54 new branches will be established in Visayas and Mindanao, where higher economic growth is expected. Currently, 54 percent of the bank’s total branches are located in Metro Manila.
"We're seeing migration of businesses to the provinces. We're also addressing customer gaps outside Metro Manila," he said Thursday during a media briefing at Blackbird, Makati City.
While the fourth-quarter 2024 business growth figures have yet to be released, Olbes said Security Bank is optimistic that the latest numbers will reflect continued growth.
"Our retail book grew by 30 percent which was much faster than what we had expected. Our loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grew over 60 percent which was also much faster than what we expected," he said.
For consumer loans, Olbes said the bank primarily issued home loans, followed by auto loans and credit card loans.
He added that the total loan portfolio reached ₱615 billion, with 49 percent consisting of retail loans.
In terms of sustainability financing, Olbes said the bank granted ₱70.9 billion to corporations as of December 2024. Of this, ₱45 billion was allocated to environmental projects, while the rest supported social, livelihood, and community empowerment initiatives.
"We have issued loans for geothermal, solar, wind, and run-of- river energy. Between 2024 and 2025, the intent of the bank is to double that portfolio," he said.
Olbes added that the bank is considering more loans for individuals and MSMEs looking to install solar panels on their properties.
"For the bank itself, our branch in One Ayala is 100 percent sourcing power from renewable energy providers. For pilot program status, the bank has a modest amount of backbone branches which are now candidates for solar power," he said.