FinanceAsia, one of the region’s leading finance publications, recently recognized BPI Capital Corporation (BPI Capital) as the Philippines’ leading investment bank in several categories.
BPI Capital, the investment banking arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), bagged the titles of Best Investment Bank, Best DCM (Debt Capital Markets) House and Best ECM (Equity Capital Markets) House in the FinanceAsia Country Awards 2022.
“We are honored to have been given these prestigious awards. Our exceptional and comprehensive suite of capabilities allowed us to execute breakthrough transactions that have been recognized both locally and internationally,” said BPI Capital President Rhoda “Chiqui” Huang.
As the Best Investment Bank, BPI Capital’s transactions over the past year have served clients in various sectors, including but not limited to aviation, construction materials, real-estate, renewable energy, and consumer goods.
“We believe our leadership in local capital markets has promoted our vision of nation-building. We expect these industries to be major contributors to the Philippines’ future economic development,” Huang added.
BPI Capital is also the only domestic investment bank to have acted and continues to act in a lead role for a foreign offshore currency issuance by a Philippine corporate.
Debt capital market
BPI Capital is one of the leading Philippine investment banks in the debt capital markets, with a dominant track record in executing capital market transactions.
Recognized as the Best DCM House, BPI Capital’s deals were landmark transactions for the year 2021 given how unique and innovative they were with respect to other issuances. BPI Capital has executed market leader transactions such as AC Energy Corporation’s (“ACEN”) maiden USD 400 million fixed-for-life (FFL) green notes, this transaction underscored BPI Capital’s commitment in fostering its sustainable objectives while providing effective financial solutions and an evident given that the offer received the lowest coupon rate for a liability accounted FFL issuance. Likewise, Jollibee Foods Corporation’s (“JFC”) tender offer shows BPI Capital depth of experience in providing liability management.
Aside from ACEN and JFC, Cebu Pacific Air, Inc.’s (“CEB”) convertible bond amounting to USD 250 million, a rare issuance in the Philippines given local regulatory constraints, marks the return of CEB in the capital markets since their 2010 IPO. This transaction is a testament to BPI Capital’s ability to provide tailor fit capital market solutions.
BPI Capital has also been at the forefront of the debt capital markets by providing creative debt solutions to a wider scope of companies. BPI Capital remains the only domestic investment house that is active in both onshore and offshore transactions.
Equity Capital Market
As the recipient of Best ECM House, BPI Capital was acknowledged for its commitment to the development of the Philippine Equity Capital Markets, which saw unprecedented amounts of fundraising activity in 2021. This award also recognizes the landmark transaction which BPI Capital successfully completed over the previous year.
BPI Capital demonstrated its ability to innovate new equity products by taking on lead roles in the IPOs of Filinvest REIT Corporation and RL Commercial REIT, which were the third and fourth REITs to list in the Philippines, respectively. BPI was the only local investment house to act as Joint Global Coordinator in these transactions. The development of REITs has given investors access to a new asset class with stable returns and contributed to wider public ownership of real estate. These stocks achieved strong post-listing price performance as Philippine investors welcomed their stable, inflation-hedged cash flows at a time of high market volatility.
BPI Capital also acted as Local Lead Underwriter and Joint Bookrunner for the initial public offering of Monde Nissin, which was the largest IPO in Philippine history. BPI Capital was able to help execute these transactions to completion despite shifting local quarantine regimes, which threatened to delay implementation of these transactions.
“These recognitions further drive us to offer our clients with more innovative solutions and investment programs that would help create a more sustainable future for all,” said Huang.