The completion of the government-approved merger of Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) will result in combined assets totaling close to ₱3 trillion by the end of the year.
As the surviving entity in this merger, Landbank will further solidify its place as the second-largest bank in the countryin terms of assets, representing a unified, stronger and more resilient institution for promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development.
“The merged assets will significantly grow Landbank’s loan portfolio directed at servicing the whole agriculture sector, especially coconut farmers, alongside key development industries. The synergy created by the merger will provide a much better position for us to respond to the evolving needs of our diverse clientele, especially the underserved and unbanked,” said Landbank President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo.
Pending the approval of relevant regulatory authorities, Landbank expects its acquisition of the shares of stock of UCPB and attendant absorption of its assets and liabilities will similarly expand deposits, loans and capital.
Due diligence was likewise conducted by Landbank and the transaction went through the review and approval by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Monetary Board.
Based on Landbank’s initial projections, the combined Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio by end-2021 will remain higher than the 11 percent regulatory requirement of the BSP.
Borromeo also emphasized that “Landbank is more than capable of absorbing the financial impact of the merger with UCPB. Our ratios will remain comfortably above the standards set by the BSP.”
Landbank is requesting for regulatory incentives being granted by BSP to banks for mergers and consolidation. “These relief measures will provide the bank the flexibility to manage its capital, achieve operational efficiency, and minimize the expected impact of absorbing UCPB,” Borromeo said.
To encourage consolidation and mergers among banks, the BSP grants regulatory incentives under Memorandum No. M-2016-023 dated 21 December 2016.
Fueled by the 16.21 percent increase in deposits which reached P2.123 trillion as of end of the first quarter of 2021, total assets of Landbank grew to P2.405 trillion. Landbank ranks number 2 among domestic universal banks in terms of asset size.
As provided in Executive Order No. 142 signed on June 25, 2021, President Duterte ordered the Landbank and UCPB to enter into a merger applicable to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and recognized by regulatory agencies.
A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be formed Pursuant to Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Memorandum Circular No. 2015-03. The group will be composed of the President and CEO of Landbank K, the Officer-In-Charge of UCPB, and the duly-designated representatives of the GCG, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Commission on Audit (COA).
The TWG is tasked to formulate an integration plan and to resolve all matters involving the implementation of the merger.
