Dr. George S. K. Ty Grand Exemplar

Summary

Dr. George T's journey from managing his family's flower business to leading Metro Bank exemplifies perseverance, trust, and community impact. At a young age, he faced skepticism but rose to the challenge, securing capital and building a bank that prioritized integrity and customer trust. His success extended beyond banking, as he established the Metro Bank Foundation to support education, arts, and healthcare in the Philippines. Honored as a philanthropist, Dr. T's vision remains clear: true wealth is about uplifting others and making dreams a reality.

Takeaways

• 😀 The prophetic words of George T's mother and grandmother predicted his future success, leading him to eventually run his own business.
• 😀 At 19, George T became the general manager of the family's flower business, and by 29, he was running his own bank.
• 😀 Despite being doubted because of his young age, George T's hard work and persistence helped him succeed in business.
• 😀 When the flower business needed more capital, George T secured a loan, which sparked his dream of a bank that could help others.
• 😀 George T's determination led to the creation of Metro Bank and Trust Company, which took three years to secure an operating license.
• 😀 George T saw banking not just as a business but as a way to build trust and serve the community.
• 😀 Honesty, sincerity, and trust became the core values that Metro Bank built its reputation on, helping it succeed in the competitive banking industry.
• 😀 After 30 years of struggle, Metro Bank became the number one bank in the country.
• 😀 George T believed that business success should also lead to community service, motivating him to establish the Metro Bank Foundation.
• 😀 The Metro Bank Foundation is one of the largest in terms of budget and supports social development projects in education, arts, and healthcare.
• 😀 Through the foundation, George T created initiatives like the Search for Outstanding Teachers Award and the Metro Art and Design Excellence Competition.
• 😀 George T has significantly supported education, healthcare, and the arts, helping people unlock better opportunities and improving lives in the Philippines.
• 😀 Being recognized as one of Fortune magazine's heroes of philanthropy meant more to George T than wealth, as he valued giving back to society.
• 😀 For George T, real wealth means helping others achieve their dreams, and he considers social development as his greatest achievement.
• 😀 The Grand Exemplar Award from Metro Bank is a tribute to George T’s leadership, values, and contributions to banking and philanthropy.

Q & A

Who predicted George T's future as a business leader and what did they say?

His mother and grandmother prophesied that young George T would one day be a 'kabiser' (leader) and run his own business.

What early leadership roles did George T hold and at what ages?

At 19 he became general manager of his family's flower business, and at 29 he headed his own bank.

What challenge did George T face when trying to start his bank and how long did it take?

He struggled to obtain an operating license and waited outside the central bank governor's office almost every day for three years before being granted the license.

What values did George T see as central to banking and Metrobank's culture?

He believed banking was the business of trust and emphasized sincerity, honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, and excellence as Metrobank's core values.

How did George T respond when Metrobank became successful and he sought deeper meaning in its achievements?

He focused on philanthropy and community leadership, believing business leadership should include giving back; this led to creating the Metro Bank Foundation to fund social development projects.

What are the major program areas supported by the Metro Bank Foundation?

The foundation funds programs in education, the visual arts, and healthcare, implementing scholarships, awards, competitions, and outreach/charity work.

Which flagship projects did George T personally create through the foundation?

He personally created the Search for Outstanding Teachers award and the Metro Art and Design Excellence Competition.

How did the Search for Outstanding Teachers award affect educators?

The award honored and motivated teachers, elevating their status and recognition in the community and encouraging excellence in education.

What role did the foundation play in healthcare?

Through the foundation, George T acquired a controlling interest in Manila Doctors Hospital, which allowed expanded charity work and healthcare outreach programs supported by the foundation.

How was George T recognized for his philanthropic work?

He was named one of Fortune magazine's 'heroes of philanthropy,' and Metrobank awarded him the Grand Exemplar Award for his 35 years championing commitment to excellence, good governance, equal opportunities, partnerships, mutual respect, and social responsibility.

What broader impact did Metrobank's culture and foundation have on the country's banking and philanthropic landscape?

Metrobank's emphasis on trust and excellence raised industry standards in banking, while the Metro Bank Foundation became a model for large-scale corporate giving in the Philippines and the region.

What personal qualities of George T are highlighted in the transcript as contributing to his success?

Patience, persistence, hard work, belief in helping others, leadership, and a long-term commitment to ethical values and community service are emphasized as key to his success.