SM Investments Corporation - History and Company profile (overview)

Summary

SM Investments Corporation, also known as SM Group, is a major Philippine conglomerate with interests in retail, banking, property, and other sectors. Founded by Henry Sy Sr. in 1958 as a small shoe store in Manila, SM has grown into a massive enterprise with businesses in malls, hotels, supermarkets, and one of the country's largest banks, BDO Unibank. SM Prime Holdings is a leading property developer in Southeast Asia. The corporation also invests in logistics, gaming, food, and natural resources, making it one of the world's largest public companies, according to Forbes.

Takeaways

• 🏢 SM Investments Corporation, also known as SM Group, is a major conglomerate based in the Philippines.
• 📚 The company's history began in 1958 with Henry Sy Sr. opening a small shoe store in Manila, which later evolved into a department store.
• 🛍️ The brand name was simplified to 'SM' in 1976, reflecting the company's growth and diversification.
• 🏦 In 1978, Henry Sy Sr. acquired Acme Savings Bank, which was renamed BDO Unibank, one of the largest banks in the country.
• 🛒 The 1990s saw the opening of SM Mega Mall and the listing of SM Prime Holdings on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
• 🏗️ SM Prime Holdings is a significant player in Southeast Asia's property development, focusing on malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers.
• 🛒 SM Retail is a leading retailer in the Philippines, operating department stores, supermarkets, and specialty stores across the nation.
• 🏦 The banking arm of SM Group includes BDO Unibank and China Banking Corporation, the first local commercial bank in the Philippines.
• 💼 SM Investments also extends to other sectors like logistics, gaming, leisure, food manufacturing, natural resources, dormitories, and office properties.
• 🌐 SM Investments Corporation is recognized as one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines and among the largest public companies globally by Forbes.

Q & A

What is SM Investments Corporation also known as?

SM Investments Corporation is also known as SM Group.

In which year was the first company of SM Group founded?

The first company of SM Group was founded in 1958 by Henry Sy Sr.

What was the original business of SM Group?

The original business of SM Group was a small shoe store in Carvajal Street, Manila.

What was the original name of the company and when did it change to SM?

The original name of the company was Shoemart, which changed its brand name to the simpler SM in 1976.

Which bank did Henry Sy Sr. acquire and what was its later name?

Henry Sy Sr. acquired Acme Savings Bank, which was later named Banco de Oro.

In what year was SM Mega Mall opened?

SM Mega Mall was opened in the 1990s.

When was SM Prime Holdings listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange?

SM Prime Holdings was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange by 2005.

What are the main business sectors of SM Group?

The main business sectors of SM Group are property, retail, banking, and equity investments.

What is the significance of SM Prime Holdings in the property development sector?

SM Prime Holdings is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, engaging in the development of malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers.

Which are the major banking businesses under SM Group?

The major banking businesses under SM Group are BDO Unibank and China Banking Corporation.

What are some of the other sectors that SM Investments invests in?

SM Investments also invests in sectors such as logistics, gaming and leisure, food manufacturing, natural resources, dormitories, office properties, and others.

How is SM Investments Corporation ranked in terms of size according to Forbes?

According to Forbes, SM Investments Corporation is considered one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines and one of the largest public companies in the world.