China Bank gets BSP nod to merge units
MANILA, Philippines—The China Bank group has obtained approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to merge its thrift and rural bank units.
The BSP’s Monetary Board has approved the merger between China Bank Savings and Pampanga-based rural lender Unity Bank on condition that the merger must be implemented in the next six months.
CBS will be the surviving bank.
About a year ago, BSP approved China Bank’s acquisition of 99.95 percent of Unity Bank’s outstanding subscribed capital stock.
The acquisition boosted CBS’ branches to 90.
China Bank’s purchase of Unity Bank supports the BSP’s countryside expansion program. The bank seeks to improve the delivery of financial services to rural communities by strengthening the thrift and rural banking industry.
At CBS’ annual stockholders meeting last July, its stockholders approved the merger with Unity Bank.
CBS began operations in 2008 following China Bank’s acquisition of Manila Bank.
