Announcements

• IMPORTANT REMINDER ON SIM CARD REGISTRATION
  In compliance with Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act which aims to protect subscribers from mobile phone-related crimes, we would like to remind you to register your SIM cards until July 25, 2023 to keep the mobile numbers linked to your accounts up to date.
  Failure to register your existing SIM within the prescribed period may result in the automatic deactivation of your SIM, resulting in challenges for AUB in alerting you of account related notifications and reminders via SMS.
  Review the mobile number(s) linked to your bank accounts with AUB.
  Register your mobile number(s) on or before April 26, 2023 to avoid deactivation.
  Visit your telecommunications provider for the full details on their registration process.
  Kindly visit your branch of account should you need to update the mobile number(s) linked to your accounts and in case your SIM card becomes deactivated after the prescribed registration deadline.
  Kindly coordinate with your telecommunications provider should you encounter issues during your SIM Card registration.
  For more information on how to update your account information, kindly coordinate with your branch of account.
  Thank you for your cooperation.


• AUB marks a decade of growth since IPO listing
  Asia United Bank (AUB) said earning a reputation as one of the fastest-growing publicly listed universal banks today is "no small feat" given the series of crises it had to overcome, starting from the 1997 Asian financial crisis when the bank started.
  "No matter the challenge - be it the 1997 crisis, the global financial crisis in 2008, and the 2020 global pandemic - AUB has not only remained standing; in fact, it has been making the quantum leap," said AUB president Manuel A. Gomez during the 10th year anniversary of the bank's initial public offering (IPO) listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
  "Much has changed in the world in the past decade since our public listing on May 17, 2013.Ten years ago, size was all that mattered. Young banks such as AUB had to compete with bigger and older competitors which had the resources to put up branches all over the country and abroad," he said. "The pandemic was really a game changer. Suddenly, customers started moving to online and mobile platforms when they bank. Technology has shifted the game from size and scale, to agility and relevance. And for AUB, this is the level playing field."
  By investing in technology and making it a competitive advantage in the past decade (from 2013 to 2022), AUB was able to more than triple its total assets to P340 billion from P105 billion and its net income to over P6 billion from P1.5 billion. From an ROE of 9.96% in 2013, AUB posted 16.12% in ROE in 2022, higher than prior to the pandemic.
  "Our dividend yield has more than doubled from 2.09% in 2016 to 4.82% in 2022.Our cost-to income ratio trend is proof of our success at continually improving our operational efficiency, as we grew business size and revenues. Except for 2015, our cost-to-income ratio has been on a steady downtrend since we listed. From 56.66% in 2013, it was down to 41.7% in 2022 and as of the first quarter of this year, cost comprised just a third of our income - among the best, if not the best, in the industry. This efficiency is solid proof that our sustained investments in automation enhancements and process optimization to deliver quality services to our customers efficiently at less cost is paying off," Mr. Gomez said in his speech.
  As of the for the first quarter 2023, AUB and its three subsidiaries booked a P2-billion net income, 54% higher than the same period in 2022. This resulted in a Return on Equity (ROE) of 19.9% and a Return on Assets of 2.5%.
  In attendance during AUB's 10th year anniversary listing ceremony were PSE officials led by its Chief Operating Officer Atty. Roel Refran, along with AUB officials Mr. Gomez, executive vice-presidents Jacob C. Ng and Wilfredo E. Rodriguez, Chief Risk Officer Maria Teresa Ogbinar, and Corporate Secretary Atty. Jason Nalupta. Also present via Zoom were members of AUB's Board of Directors Ms. Teresita Ang-See and Mr. George Chua.


• AUB sustains double-digit growth in Q1 2023
  Asia United Bank (AUB) and its three subsidiaries sustained their double-digit growth performance in the first three months of the year, mainly attributable to increased commercial loan demand as the economy reopens and business activity picks up.
  The group booked a P2-billion net income for the first quarter, 54% higher than the same period in 2022. This resulted in a Return on Equity (ROE) of 19.9% and a Return on Assets of 2.5%.
  Total operating income grew 35% to P4.5 billion, mainly from the 31% increase in net interest income to P3.7 billion as a result of AUB's loan portfolio which grew by 10% to P185.0 billion.
  Its Net Interest Margin ratio stood at 4.8%, 100 basis points higher than 3.8% for the same period a year ago. Further boosting the bank's operating income was the 282% increase in its trading and securities gains.
  AUB also continued to demonstrate its operational efficiency with a 7% modest increase in operating expense before provision for losses, resulting in a cost-to-income ratio of 33.2%, a significant decline from 41.7% in 2022. "We are reaping the fruits of our sustained investments in automation enhancements and process optimization to deliver quality services to our customers efficiently at less cost," said AUB President Manuel A. Gomez.
  AUB's asset quality continues to improve with its non-performing loans (NPL) ratio at 0.95% versus 1.9% in the first quarter of 2022. Provision for losses increased by P300 million, strengthening its NPL coverage ratio to 114.3% from 81.5% year-on-year.
  Total assets stood at P328 billion, up 5% versus the same period last year. Total deposits also grew by 5% to P273.0 billion, with low-cost CASA deposits comprising 72.97% of its total deposit base while its loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 67.8%.
  AUB had total equity of P43.0 billion, with an indicative Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 15.41% and a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 16.03%, both above regulatory requirements.


• IMPORTANT REMINDER ON SIM CARD REGISTRATION
  In compliance with Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act which aims to protect subscribers from mobile phone-related crimes, we would like to remind you to register your SIM cards until April 26, 2023 to keep the mobile numbers linked to your accounts up to date.
  Failure to register your existing SIM within the prescribed period may result in the automatic deactivation of your SIM, resulting in challenges for AUB in alerting you of account related notifications and reminders via SMS.
  Review the mobile number(s) linked to your bank accounts with AUB.
  Register your mobile number(s) on or before April 26, 2023 to avoid deactivation.
  Visit your telecommunications provider for the full details on their registration process.
  Kindly visit your branch of account should you need to update the mobile number(s) linked to your accounts and in case your SIM card becomes deactivated after the prescribed registration deadline.
  Kindly coordinate with your telecommunications provider should you encounter issues during your SIM Card registration.
  For more information on how to update your account information, kindly coordinate with your branch of account.
  Thank you for your cooperation.


• AUB net income jumps 56% in 2022
  Asia United Bank (AUB) and its four subsidiaries posted a P6.3 billion net income for the full-year 2022, 56.0% higher than the previous year, boosted mainly by increased loan volume, higher margins, and improvement on loan loss provisions.
  Based on its latest unaudited financial statements, the bank ended the fourth quarter with a net income of P1.7 billion, 54% higher than a year ago.
  Its FY 2022 net income results pushed its Return on Equity up to 16.2% versus 11.1% in 2021 and 14.2% in pre-pandemic 2019. Return on Assets stood at 1.9% in 2022, also higher than the previous year's 1.3%.
  Higher interest income from loans and investment securities led to an 18% year-on-year increase in its net interest income to P12.9 billion while keeping interest expense at bay. This translated to a net interest margin of 4.2% from 3.7%, previously.
  AUB continues to be one of the smartest spenders in the industry with operational expenses inching up by 2%, resulting in a cost-to-income ratio of 37.5%, lower than 42.4%, year-on-year. This resulted from the bank's continuous automation enhancements and process optimization to deliver quality services to customers efficiently at less cost.
  With the economy coming back on track and asset quality improving, AUB saw its loan portfolio grow by 12% to P195.0 billion from the 2021 level. The heftier loan volume mostly came from the bank's corporate clients which started restocking their inventories and resuming business activities due to the economy's reopening. Mirroring the improved business climate in the country, AUB reduced its loan loss provisions by 33% to P1.6 billion versus year-ago while its non-performing loans (NPL) ratio shrank to 1.0% and NPL coverage ratio strengthened to 115.1%.
  Supporting the higher loan volume, its deposits grew by 10% to P288.8 billion, year-on-year. CASA deposits accounted for 75% of its total deposits while its loan-to-deposit ratio stood at a healthy 67.5%.
  AUB remains as one of the top 20 banks in the Philippines with total assets of P340.2 billion in 2022, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase compared with the flattish YOY growth in 2020 versus 2021. Total equity stood at P39.9 billion, with a common equity tier 1 ratio of 13.7% and a capital adequacy ratio of 14.3%, both well above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' regulatory requirements. Book value per share rose by 5% YoY to P82.30 in 2022.
  "We believe our agility in achieving a balance among growth, pricing, expense and risk management will continue to enable us to surmount the challenges of higher inflation and interest rate volatility that are seen to persist in 2023," said AUB president Manuel A. Gomez.