After reaching its milestone centennial year in 2020, China Bank continues the celebration this year, showcasing the projects that highlight what makes it stand out from other banks through 100 years of strength, resilience, sustainability, integrity, and enduring relationships.

1. Binondo Heritage Restoration Project

China Bank’s original head office in Binondo, located at the corner of Dasmarinas and Juan Luna Streets, was built in 1924. It still stands proud today, faithfully restored to its original architecture by German Architect Julius Niclaus Gabler Gumbert as a vestige of Binondo’s heyday as the “Wall Street of the Philippines.” The building bears the historical marker of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Important Cultural Property marker of the National Museum. Construction began in 2019 after almost a year of forensic works. While the pandemic and quarantine restrictions caused some delays, the restoration was completed in 2021, including the modern retrofit for resilience, security, and energy efficiency. This restoration project, the centerpiece of the Bank’s centennial celebration, is China Bank’s humble contribution to the revitalization of the City of Manila, and of Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world.

2. China Bank Museum

A major component of the restoration project is the construction of the China Bank Museum, located at the 4th floor of the China Bank Binondo Business Center. The Museum was built to preserve the Bank’s heritage and to help foster an understanding of and appreciation for its role as a catalyst of wealth and value creation. With each space in the museum representing a China Bank core value, the museum is divided into areas like “Concern for People,” “High Performance Standards,” “Efficiency,” “Customer Service Focus,” and “Commitment to Quality,” and contains interesting artifacts, memorabilia, and photos, even portraits of the Bank’s leaders by national artist Fernando Amorsolo and renowned portrait artist Edgardo Lantin.

3. China Bank Commemorative Stamp

Officially released by the Philippine Postal Corporation in 2020, China Bank’s special postage stamps featuring the China Bank Binondo Center commemorate the Bank’s centennial. Only 30,000 pieces of the limited-edition commemorative stamps were printed and sold at the Philatelic Counter of the Central Post Office in Manila and at Area Post Offices nationwide. The poster frame of the commemorative stamps is now displayed at the China Bank Museum in Binondo and the Bank’s head office in Makati City.

4. Centennial Coffee Table Book

Launched just last January 3, China Bank’s centennial commemorative book, “100 Years of Trust: The China Bank Story” is an informative and engaging retelling of China Bank’s rich history. The 400-page hardbound book chronicles how the Bank has grown and lived up to its mission as a catalyst of wealth and value creation, and how it continues to fulfill its responsibilities to society and country. It’s a fascinating and informative read not just for China Bank employees and clients, but also for anyone with an interest in history, business, and banking. Aside from being distributed to select China Bank officers, clients, China Bank retirees, regulators, and members of the media, copies of the book will also be given to top universities and libraries nationwide.

5. Centennial Stock Grant Plan

To foster a culture of ownership where everyone in the organization shares the same passion for service and commitment to the Bank’s continued success, the Board of Directors approved the Centennial Stock Grant Plan in 2020. The equity gift entitles China Bank Group employees to 100 China Bank shares for every year of service. In September 2021, the Bank issued 5.4 million centennial stock grant shares to over 8,300 qualified employees.

As it moves forward to its second century, China Bank, named the Best Bank in the Philippines by The Asset and the Cesar E.A. Virata Best Securities House (Bank Category) by The Philippine Dealing System, remains strongly committed to serving its stakeholders and being worthy of their continued trust and loyalty.