BANCO de Oro (BDO) Unibank Inc. was named the country’s Best Domestic Bank, according to the Asset Triple A Country Awards 2018.

The bank has won the recognition six straight times after first earning the award in 2013.

BDO won a total record of eight Besk Domestic Bank awards. BDO bested other banks for its strong financial performance, contribution to the domestic markets, capital raising, advisory, transaction banking performance and environment social and governance initiatives.

Apart from the bank, its investment banking arm BDO Capital and Investment Corp. also won multiple awards, signifying its continued leadership in debt and equity transactions and financial advisory deals. Among its major awards were Best Domestic Corporate and Institutional Adviser, Best Equity Adviser and Best Loan Adviser.

BDO and its subsidiary BDO Private Bank were recognized for their participation in the P73.5-billion syndicated loan that Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. secured to refinance its obligations and fund investments.

This transaction is one of the largest corporate syndications ever arranged in the Philippine debt market.

BDO Capital was also cited for its role in various transactions, including the US$690-million acquisition of the Clark Global City Corp. by Udenna Corp. (Best Acquisition Financing-mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and issue manager); the P73.5-billion syndicated loan of Bloomberry Resorts & Hotels Inc. (Best Syndicated Loan–lead arranger and sole bookrunner) and Ayala Land Inc.’s P10-billion retail bonds (Most innovative deal–lead underwriter and bookrunner).

Prior to its win at the Triple A Country Awards, BDO Unibank Inc. was given the Platinum Award at The Asset Corporate Awards 2018, which recognizes companies that champion environmental, social and corporate governance in the industry. (PR)