Banco de Oro–Equitable PCI Bank merger

The Banco de Oro-Equitable PCI Bank merger (2004–2006) was a plan by the SM Group of Companies and Banco de Oro Universal Bank, the then fifth-largest bank in the Philippines, to merge with Equitable PCI Bank, the third-largest bank. The merger was part of a long-term goal of Banco de Oro to become one of the largest names in the Philippine banking industry. It closed on December 27, 2006, with the formation of Banco de Oro Unibank, Inc.

The plan was controversial with respect to the fact that a smaller bank could not possibly acquire a larger bank. At the time of the merger, Equitable PCI had three times the capital Banco de Oro had. Analysts worried about the repercussions this could have on the industry. However, the deal was able to generate a lot of media hype, especially in newspaper editorials.