In 1994, a group of nine enterprising individuals decided to go into the rural banking business.
Despite having no previous experience in banking, they applied for a banking license armed with a shared
resources of only two million pesos (P2,000,000) and a the vision that a small bank is an ideal partner of
small entrepreneurs toward their aim of progress.

On January 10, 1995, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) finally approved their license to
operate, thus giving birth to Rural Bank of Alabel (Sarangani), Inc. The town of Alabel was chosen as the
ideal place to establish its first office given that it became the capital of the newly created Province of
Sarangani, thus presenting wide opportunities for the bank.

During the first year of operation, the bank struggled to manage its operating cost vis-à-vis its
expected returns. Bank personnel and even some members of the Board personally went from house-to-
house, market stall-to-market stall just to encourage people to deposit or take a loan. Such perseverance
and hard work eventually paid off that in 1996 (just more than a year after its inauguration), RBAI opened
its first branch in the town of Polomolok, South Cotabato.

As a rural bank, RBAI adopted the tagline “Your partner in progress… friend for life”. It prides itself
in giving ordinary individuals and small businessmen opportunities for their business/projects to grow by
availing of additional capital. At the same time it highly values its relationship with individual clients, treating
them as family, supporting their individual endeavors, and eventually earning their trust.

Today, RBAI remains committed in upholding its mandate as a partner of rural folks and small
entrepreneurs in progress. It remains strong amidst the ever changing business landscape. Its conservative
approach and sensitivity to the market enables the bank to withstand competition and economic slowdown
while others have withered. It also now employs nineteen (23) employees from originally having only four
(4). A testament to the incorporator’s original belief that it will help our partners grow, the bank will
eventually grow.