SMBC poaches BDO veteran to lead Philippine Corporate Banking

Maria Angelica Balangue brings 20 years of capital markets experience as she leads SMBC Manila.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Manila Branch has appointed Maria Angelica Balangue as Head of its Corporate Banking Department in the Philippines, effective 16 March, the bank said in a press release with the appointment requiring approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Balangue replaces Ruben Victa, who is retiring after five years with SMBC.

Based in Manila, Balangue will oversee SMBC’s corporate banking business in the Philippines and provide integrated solutions to corporate and institutional clients.

She will report to Hiroyasu Kanda, Managing Director and Country Head, and Joyce Tee, Head of Corporate Banking Asia Pacific, and will work with regional teams to expand cross-market opportunities.

Balangue has over 20 years of experience in corporate banking, capital markets, and relationship management.

She was most recently Corporate Banking Team Head at BDO Unibank, and has held senior roles at Union Bank of the Philippines, China Bank Capital Corp., and ING Bank.