BPI Wealth Singapore opens its doors at the heart of Marina Bay

The Bank of the Philippine Islands marked a new milestone this October with the opening of BPI Wealth Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, right at the heart of Marina Bay. The launch represents BPI’s continued expansion in Asia and its commitment to providing Filipino and regional clients access to one of the world’s most dynamic financial centers.

The launch gathered distinguished guests from Philippines and Singapore, including His Excellency Medardo Macaraig, Ambassador of the Philippines to Singapore, and Phua Wee Ling, Executive Director at the Monetary Authority of Singapore. They were joined by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of BPI; Lim Chow Kiat, Chairman of the Wealth Management Institute; Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco, President and CEO of BPI; Maria Theresa D. Marcial, Deputy Chairman of BPI Wealth Singapore and President and CEO of BPI Wealth; Janet Guat Har Ang, Board Director of BPI Wealth Singapore; and Christmas Sevilla, CEO of BPI Wealth Singapore.

“As the first bank in the Philippines and the oldest in Southeast Asia, BPI’s nearly 175 years of history have been built on trust and stewardship,” said Limcaoco. “This new office is a bridge—connecting the Philippines and Singapore, our clients to global markets, and our heritage to the future.”

Zobel de Ayala added, “Singapore is where next-generation wealth conversations are happening. To serve our clients well, and to serve them for generations, we must be present in this ecosystem. By being here, we reinforce our ability to connect the Philippines to the region, and to the world.”

More than business growth, the launch reflected BPI’s philosophy that true wealth is  about legacy. Designed with discretion and intimacy, the office integrates Filipino elements into a modern setting. A timber balustrade at the entrance recalls the craftsmanship of Philippine heritage homes, while custom lighting brings a sense of flow and continuity, creating an environment that feels both contemporary and grounded.

At the center is 1851 Wealth, an exclusive space for meaningful conversations: understated, refined, and deeply personal. Restored architectural fragments from BPI’s historic Philippine offices and design elements inspired by the waling-waling orchid pay homage to the Bank’s enduring craftsmanship and stewardship.

Select works from BPI’s corporate art collection, including pieces by Fernando Zóbel, Arturo Luz, and Pacita Abad, lend a distinctly Filipino character while connecting to Singapore’s global art scene. Zóbel’s work takes prominence, echoing his ongoing retrospective at the National Gallery Singapore.

For Marcial, this cultural dimension underscores the Bank’s broader role as a steward of heritage.

“True wealth carries history and meaning. Our art collection is part of that story, reminding us that what we preserve and pass on goes beyond capital,” Marcial said.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of BPI, the Singapore office signals more than geographic expansion; it reflects BPI’s ambition to grow alongside its clients, wherever they are in the world. It also demonstrates how heritage institutions can evolve to meet the demands of modern wealth management without losing sight of the values that have guided them for generations.

As BPI approaches its 175th anniversary in 2026, the opening of BPI Wealth Singapore affirms the Bank’s long-standing commitment to bridging the Philippines and the world. In the words of Limcaoco: “Today, we draw a new line—a line of growth, of trust, and of enduring partnership.”