Chinabank wins regional award for HR digital transformation

From left: AIA Indonesia Chief Human Resources Officer Ichsan Adiwijaya, CBC HR Business Solutions Department Head Gene Modequillo, CBC HR Strategic Support Division Head Rizza Salvino, and People Matters New Markets Head Aditya Chopra.

Chinabank was recognized among the best organizations, teams, and individuals in Southeast Asia that redefine the future of work through technology and purposeful transformation. 

The bank earned the Silver Award for Human Capital Management (HCM) Innovation and Implementation under the Visionary Organizations category at the recent People Matters Infini‑T Awards SEA 2026 in Singapore.

The award is in recognition of the bank’s successful digital transformation of its HR ecosystem through SyncHROne, developed in partnership with Darwinbox and launched in 2025. The AI-powered, mobile-enabled SyncHROne streamlines HR operations and enhances employee engagement and productivity.

“We are proud of this achievement, which reflects our shared commitment to building a future-ready, inclusive, and innovation-driven workplace. Through SyncHROne, we have empowered Chinabankers with a unified ‘source of truth’ that allows them to focus on what matters most—growth and excellence,” Chinabank Human Resources Group Head Tani Cruz said.

Aside from its triumph at the Infini-T Awards, the highlight of the two-day People Matters TechHR Singapore 2026, Chinabank also shared its HR transformation journey during the “Futurist Circle” breakout session. HRG Strategic Support Division Head Rizza Salvino explained how Chinabank leveraged AI and data-driven insights to redefine the employee experience and boost performance. She said leaders drive business results when they take charge, supported by HR’s efforts to enable agility through technology and to strengthen decision-making with data-driven insights. She also noted that digital transformation is about transforming the people who use the new technology—empowering them to think, work, and lead differently.

About Chinabank:  China Banking Corporation (Chinabank; PSE: CBC), founded in 1920, is the fourth largest private universal bank in the Philippines and a member of the SM Group, one of the country’s biggest conglomerates. Driven by its brand promise, “Focused on You,” Chinabank supports individuals, small- and middle-market businesses, and large corporations, with its consolidated network of over 650 branches and 1,140 ATMs, and 24/7 digital banking channels My CBC App and My CBC Online.  The bank also offers a wide range of allied financial services through its subsidiaries China Bank Savings, Chinabank Capital, Chinabank Securities, Chinabank Insurance Brokers, and affiliate Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance. 

For over a century, Chinabank has built a deep connection with its customers and the communities it serves, leveraging the dedication and diversity of its empowered people and the strength of its enduring partnerships to help uplift the lives of Filipinos. 

For more information, visit www.chinabank.ph or follow ChinabankPH on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

SM companies among Top 5 in ASEAN good governance

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Capital Market Forum (ACMF) recognized SM Investments Corporation, the parent firm of the SM group, and its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. among the Top 5 Philippine publicly listed companies (PLCs) and Top 50 ASEAN PLCs.

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur on July 24, the biennial awards highlighted the top publicly listed companies assessed under the 2024 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS). Recently cited were SM Investments Corporation, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. BDO Unibank, Inc. and China Banking Corporation.

SM’s banking arm, BDO Unibank, Inc. ranked among the Top 50 ASEAN PLCs. Among the six Philippine PLCs awarded, three were from the SM group. BDO was the only Philippine bank to earn a spot on the Top 50 list.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the SM group were Maria Virginia A. Tolentino-Uy, Senior Assistant Vice President – Governance, Risk and Compliance at SM Investments Corporation (leftmost); and Joana B. Tiangco, AVP – Enterprise Risk Management and Governance at SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (second from right); Joining them were Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Francis Ed. Lim (second from left) and SEC Commissioner Mcjill Bryant T. Fernandez (rightmost).

In addition, China Banking Corporation (Chinabank), another financial institution under the SM group, was also named to the ASEAN Asset Class of publicly listed companies, an honor given to firms that have achieved consistently high scores under the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS).

Receiving the awards on behalf of the SM group were (from left) Maria Virginia A. Tolentino-Uy, Senior Assistant Vice President –Governance, Risk and Compliance at SM Investments Corporation; Joana B. Tiangco, AVP – Enterprise Risk Management and Governance at SM Prime Holdings, Inc.; and Lorelei Lorraine L. Sy, Senior Vice President and Head, BDO Singapore Branch.

Anchored on the 2024 ACGS Regional Assessment, this is the second time the organization affirmed SM’s corporate governance standards at par with internationally-accepted best practices after both SM Investments and SM Prime secured the top 5 spots in the Philippine Asset class and top 20 ASEAN Publicly Listed Companies in the 2022 awarding ceremony.

“Good governance is essential to long-term value creation. We continue to align our governance practices with global standards to help build trust and deliver sustainable outcomes for our stakeholders and the communities we serve.” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments Corporation. 

“Our recognition at this year’s ACGS Awards validates our commitment to building sustainable and resilient communities,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, President of SM Prime Holdings. “It affirms our belief that good governance goes hand in hand with long-term value creation for shareholders and stakeholders alike.”

“BDO’s corporate governance principles are about effective oversight, strict compliance with regulations, and sustainable value creation to promote the best interest of its various stakeholders. We value this recognition which affirms our deepest commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance practices,” Nestor V. Tan, BDO Unibank, Inc. President said.

“This recognition reaffirms Chinabank’s steadfast commitment to responsible corporate governance that goes beyond compliance while embedding ethical stewardship into our culture,” said Chinabank President and CEO Romeo D. Uyan, Jr. “We are driven by our goal to always create long-term value for our stakeholders.”

The ACGS evaluated 569 large-market-cap PLCs across the region, recognizing companies that uphold the highest standards of corporate governance aligned with international best practices. These are conducted by domestic ranking bodies per ACGS-member country followed by peer evaluation at the regional level. The assessments are based on publicly available and accessible information such as annual reports, corporate websites, corporate governance policies, and sustainability reports, among others.

The ASEAN Corporate Governance Initiative, comprising the ACGS and the assessment of PLCs, is a flagship effort under the ACMF, which has been collaborating with the Asian Development Bank since 2011.  Over the years, the ACGS has been instrumental in fostering a strong corporate governance culture in ASEAN, encouraging PLCs to adopt internationally recognized corporate governance principles, driving improvements in transparency, board accountability, shareholder rights and sustainability practices. The scorecard has also contributed to innovative business models prioritizing ethical leadership and long-term value creation. (SM Prime)