SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, has earned the Five Golden Arrow Award from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) for the third consecutive year, securing the highest distinction under the organization’s corporate governance awards program.
The recognition highlights the company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity, and responsible corporate governance.
Other companies within the SM Group also received honors at the awards. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and China Banking Corporation (Chinabank) earned Five Golden Arrows, while BDO Unibank, Inc. and Belle Corporation received Four Golden Arrows.
The awards evaluate corporate governance practices, including the protection of shareholder rights, timely disclosure of material information, and effective board oversight. The 2026 recognition is based on the 2025 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) assessment.
“We aim to continuously create long-term value for our stakeholders, and strong governance is central to that,” said SM Investments Chairman of the Board Amando M. Tetangco Jr.
Tetangco, a former two-term Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, serves as the company’s first independent Chairman. The SM Investments Board oversees the parent company’s overall strategy, risk management, and major investment decisions across its retail, banking, property, and portfolio businesses.
While the parent company provides strategic oversight, its operating companies maintain their respective boards and management teams, which remain accountable for their individual business operations.
SM Investments President and CEO Frederic C. DyBuncio said the achievement reflects the company’s continuing commitment to integrity, transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship, with good corporate governance serving as a foundation for sustainable growth and long-term stakeholder value.
The ACGS assessment covers several key areas, including shareholder rights and equitable treatment, sustainability and resilience, stakeholder relations, transparency and accountability through timely disclosures, and the Board’s strategic guidance and accountability. The framework also gives investors a basis for comparing corporate governance practices among companies.
The recognition coincides with SM’s 68th anniversary, marking the opening of its first Shoemart store. As the Group has expanded across industries, the founding values of trust and integrity have remained central to its approach to corporate governance and business stewardship.
