MANILA - Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Manila Branch (SMBC) announced the appointment of Maria Angelica Balangue as Head of Corporate Banking Department in the Philippines, effective 16 March 2026. Her appointment underscores SMBC’s continued focus on strengthening its Corporate Banking presence in the Philippines and supporting the long-term growth and success of its clients. This appointment is subject to regulatory approval by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Angelica succeeds Ruben Victa who is retiring after five years of distinguished service with SMBC, during which he played a key role in strengthening the bank’s Corporate Banking franchise in the Philippines. Based in Manila, Angelica will drive the strategic direction of SMBC’s Corporate Banking in the Philippines and enhance the delivery of integrated solutions to its corporate and institutional customers. Reporting to Hiroyasu Kanda, Managing Director and Country Head of Philippines, and Joyce Tee, Head of Corporate Banking Department Asia Pacific, she will also work closely with regional teams to expand cross-market opportunities for the bank. Angelica has over two decades of experience across leading financial institutions, with strong expertise in corporate banking, capital markets origination, and relationship management. Most recently, she served as Corporate Banking Team Head at BDO Unibank, where she led a team focused on corporate lending and project financing. She also formerly held various leadership roles at global and regional banks, such as the Union Bank of the Philippines, China Bank Capital Corp., and ING Bank. “We are delighted to welcome Angelica to SMBC. With her track record in leading transformation initiatives, managing major portfolios, and executing milestone transactions across the region, we are well-positioned to grow key sectors in the Philippines and deepen our client relationships,” said Hiroyasu Kanda, Managing Director and Country Head of Philippines. “Corporate Banking remains a strategic growth engine for SMBC in Asia Pacific. Under Angelica’s leadership, we will continue to leverage our global network and close collaboration with our partner bank in the Philippines, RCBC, to expand our large corporate business and elevate customer satisfaction locally and across the region,” adds Joyce Tee, Head of Corporate Banking Department, Asia Pacific. Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker
