Philippine banks in tie-up talks to become top lender

Philippine lender Bank of the Philippine Islands said it was in talks to acquire local rival Philippine National Bank to create potentially the country's largest financial institution. Trading in the two firms was suspended Wednesday as they disclosed that BPI's majority shareholders were in negotiations to buy PNB, majority-owned by Lucio Tan, the country's second-richest man. "We confirm discussions with the Lucio Tan Group and will make the appropriate disclosures in accordance with the (exchange) disclosure rules," BPI said. PNB shares soared 11.69 percent to 84.10 pesos in Tuesday trade, while BPI ended 3.21 percent higher at 88.45 pesos. BPI is part of the Ayala conglomerate that is the largest property player in Makati, the Philippine capital's main business district. PNB also disclosed: "We confirm that there have been discussions between the Lucio Tan Group and the Ayala Group. We will make the appropriate disclosures within the day once we obtain the necessary board approvals." The Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper, quoting unnamed banking sources, said the two sides were in advanced talks. BPI is now the country's third-largest lender, with assets of 842.6 billion pesos ($20.48 billion) by the end of 2011, while PNB's assets amounted to 316.3 billion pesos. The largest Philippine bank, Banco de Oro with end-2011 assets of 1.1 trillion pesos, is controlled by the family of shopping mall magnate Henry Sy, the country's richest man.