Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has been recognized as the Strongest Bank in the Philippines for 2025 by The Asian Banker (TAB), marking the fifth consecutive year it has topped the annual ranking.
The recognition is based on TAB’s assessment of the world’s 1,000 largest and strongest banks, which evaluates financial performance for the 2025 fiscal year. The publication cited Metrobank’s “robust balance sheet, high asset quality, solid capital base, and strong liquidity, hallmarks of sound management and resilience amid changing market conditions.”
The Asian Banker also pointed to the bank’s “extensive branch and digital network, and enduring corporate and institutional partnerships to sustain its growth momentum” as key strengths.
“This recognition reflects the strength of the relationships we have built with our clients, communities, and partners– relationships that continue to fuel our growth and resilience as a financial institution,” said Metrobank president Fabian Dee.
For the first half of the year, Metrobank booked a net income of P24.8 billion. Its total consolidated assets expanded by 6.0 percent to P3.5 trillion, maintaining its position as the second largest bank in asset terms among the private universal banks.
The bank’s asset quality improved, with the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio easing back to 1.5 percent of total loans from 1.7 percent in the same period last year. This ratio is significantly lower than the industry’s reported 3.5 percent NPL ratio as of May 2025. The bank’s NPL cover remained high at 153.9 percent, providing a strong buffer against potential risks.
Metrobank’s balance sheet remains strong with a capital adequacy ratio of 16.3 percent and a common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 15.6 percent, both above minimum regulatory requirements. Total equity stood at P390.7 billion.
The Strongest Bank Rankings by TAB assess financial institutions based on a detailed scorecard using six criteria of balance sheet performance: ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality and liquidity, covered by 14 specific factors.
Metrobank was also named the Best Managed Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker, which also recognized President Fabian Dee as the Best CEO in the Philippines.
Other recent accolades include being named the Philippines’ Best Bank for Large Corporates and the Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility by Euromoney. The bank also won the Cesar E.A. Virata Award – Best Securities House for the 10th year from the Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Group.
