These Philippine Banks Are Now Among the World's Most Valuable Brands
Accoding to Brand Finance, BPI ranks 21st among global banks based on brand strength.
by JV Ordoñez
Published on Mar 19, 2026
Manila's top dogs in the banking industry continue to make strides in perceived brand value and are on their way to a seat at the table with the world's most valuable lenders, according to Brand Finance's Banking 500 2026 journal.
Based on the March report by London-based brand valuation consulting firm Brand Finance, nine out of 11 Filipino banks have seen double-digit growth this year, moving the Philippine banking sector forward.
BDO remains the country's highest-ranked bank globally, though it slipped from 94th to 105th as its brand value fell 4% to $3.5 billion in 2026. The dip reflects a local banking sector bracing for central bank rate cuts that would compress interest income across the board.
It still holds an AAA brand strength rating, which means the bank has an extremely strong brand with superior financial performance and customer loyalty.
How Philippine banks fared in this year's Banking 500 2026 Journal
Bank of the Philippine Islands had a stronger year, with its brand value climbing 37% to $3.2 billion, placing it 113th from 128th a year earlier. The local lender also upgraded its brand strength rating to AAA+ from AAA-, meaning BPI now holds the highest grade Brand Finance awards, reserved for brands with exceptional strength across awareness, loyalty, and revenue potential.
The big story here is that BPI now ranks 21st globally for brand strength.
A read through the rest of the thriving local banks: Land Bank of the Philippines saw brand value growth of 29% to $1.6 billion, rising from 193rd to 182nd. Metrobank grew 19% to $1.6 billion, moving from 187th to 184th, off record earnings in 2025. RCBC jumped from 456th to 394th. EastWest moved from 488th to 458th. UnionBank sits at 269th with a $750 million brand value and an A rating, meaning a strong brand with room to grow relative to the top tier. AUB debuts on the global list at 475th. Security Bank, PNB, and Chinabank appear at 299th, 308th, and 364th, respectively.
A look at the top 5 strongest banks (still dominated by China)
Shifting our focus to the top 5 at large, China's ICBC retained its spot as the world's most valuable bank for the tenth consecutive year at a value of $90.9 billion. This isn't really surprising as the institution hails from the world's second largest economy and carries a trusted brand strength rating of AAA+.
China continues to dominate the list with China Construction Bank following suit at second place with a value of $77.2 billion and a strength rating of AAA. Bank of China jumped to third at $70.8 billion, trailed by banking compatriot Agricultural Bank of China at $62.8 billion.
Rounding out the top 5, Bank of America posted a fifth place ranking at a value of $47.6 billion and an AA+ brand strength rating. The rest of the banking world still has their work cut out for them if they want to close the gap dominated by Beijing's banking titans.