Chinabank values our most important asset, the workforce, by empowering them to reach their full potential within a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment. Employees are provided with opportunities to participate in and contribute to environmental and social development programs in line with promoting social responsibility and community stewardship.
In 2023, Chinabank was recognized as the Employer of the Year in the Philippines by the prestigious People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), besting 32 nominees. We are proud to be the only bank to win this coveted award in the last 30 years, a testament to our remarkable people management practices. This award is a testament to our commitment to the wellbeing of our employees, to the best practices in human resources management, and to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
In 2025, our people’s initiatives have anchored on Chinabank’s three People Agenda Pillars: Employee Experience, Leadership & Culture, and Future-Ready Workforce. Across these pillars, we continued to strengthen our established people practices while evolving them to address changing employee needs, shifting business priorities, and the demands of the future of work.
In enhancing the employee experience and organizational culture, our focus in 2025 was on sustaining an inclusive and equitable workplace grounded in respect, fairness, and active participation in daily operations. In line with our commitment to equal opportunity, we continue to foster a safe and inclusive environment where access is equitable and individual contributions are recognized and supported, reinforced by psychological safety and embracing diverse perspectives.
By leveraging innovative and inclusive recruitment platforms, we strengthened our talent pipeline and reinforced our position as an employer of choice nationwide. In 2025, hiring efforts were intensified through AI-enabled recruitment, enhanced employer branding on LinkedIn, sustained employee referrals and major recruitment events across the country.
Our commitment to attracting and developing talent was further affirmed by our continued inclusion in Prosple’s Top 100 Employers for Fresh Graduates since 2023 and our most recent rankings, including 15th in Overall Employer Reputation, 10th in HR & Recruitment, and 10th in Finance and Banking, highlighting our dedication to providing meaningful career opportunities for emerging professionals.
In alignment with our strategic and financial objectives and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, our remuneration policies reflect our commitment to recognizing and rewarding strong employee performance while maintaining balanced and responsive benefits that address the diverse needs of our workforce. Employee compensation is determined by the scope and responsibilities of each role with regular individual performance review and is benchmarked against prevailing market conditions.
We recognize the vital role of employee unions in advocating for employee rights and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship strongly based on mutual respect and cooperation. Both Chinabank and its thrift bank subsidiary, China Bank Savings (CBS), are supported by active unions with Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). CBS recently entered into a new CBA covering 2024 to 2029, while Chinabank’s five-year CBA executed in 2022 continues to be in effect.
In 2025, a total of 6,083 rank-and-file employees—representing 52% of our total workforce—were covered by a CBA.
We continue to advance our commitment to continuous learning, capability building, and talent mobility to support employees in realizing their full potential. A range of strategic development programs is implemented through the Chinabank Academy platform to enhance leadership readiness, build technical and sales competencies, and strengthen employee engagement with our brand and heritage.
We are committed to enabling our employees’ professional development as a foundation of building a future-ready workforce. In 2025, a range of initiatives were implemented to encourage the exploration of diverse, non-linear career paths while broadening employee exposure and skill sets. These programs supported employee growth, organizational agility, and the sustained availability of capable leaders to meet future business needs.
In 2025, a total of 2,126 employees were promoted.
Our human resources policies, strategies, and programs are designed to ensure our employees feel valued and engaged in meaningful work. Talent engagement and retention programs in support of our workforce throughout every phase of their career development, allows us to provide the guidance and resources they need to realize their full potential and encourage them to take ownership of their professional growth.
In 2025, our talent engagement initiatives continued to evolve, reinforcing a positive employee experience and a strong culture of connection. We prioritized deeper engagement, improved work–life integration, and a strengthened employee value proposition to foster commitment, well-being, and long-term retention.
To ensure that our employees feel supported across all aspects of their well-being, we have established comprehensive Safety and Health policy guidelines designed to promote conducive working conditions. These policies are fully aligned with Republic Act No. 11058, Department Order No. 252-25 or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11058, as well as other applicable issuances, rules, and regulations. Meanwhile, our Corporate Safety and Health Committee (CSHC) ensures the effective planning, development, monitoring, and implementation of safety and health programs.
Through the consistent implementation of these standards, we reinforce our commitment to safeguarding the physical safety of our workforce while also addressing mental and emotional well-being. These efforts reflect our holistic approach to employee welfare and continuous improvement to foster a resilient, healthy, and engaged workforce.
Some of the programs implemented in 2025 were: