Investment banking occupiers in Manila typically cluster in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($58000–88000/sqft), and pay around 1500 PHP/sqft ($28 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($58000–88000/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 1500 PHP/sqft ($28 USD).
• Typical lease: 3 years with 5 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Manila: 76/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($58000–88000/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 1500 PHP/sqft ($28 USD).
• Typical lease: 3 years with 5 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Manila: 76/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Manila typically anchor in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Tech, BPO, multinational HQs, banking, professional services.

What they pay

Class A rent in Manila runs 1500 PHP/sqft ($28 USD) on a 3-year lease with 5 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical investment banking fit-out targets trophy specification at $58000–88000/sqft. Bespoke design, signature feature, top-tier MEP and acoustic packages are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount banking office in Manila typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Bulge-bracket teams favor signature trophy assets with full client-facing programming and large floor plates. Deepest English-language BPO talent in Asia. Strong feed from University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle, and a deep network of universities. Excellent neutral English accent supports North American customer-facing operations.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 25%. Net leases. 3-5 year terms with renewal options standard. Free rent of 4-9 months on a 5-year deal.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Manila?

Most cluster in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Rent runs ~1500 PHP/sqft ($28 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do investment banking occupiers run in Manila?

Typically trophy at $58000–88000/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a investment banking occupier plan in Manila?

Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the investment banking vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 523150, 522110.

What is the talent index in Manila?

76/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Investment banking — global overview
• Manila — full city profile
• Financial services in Manila
• Asset management in Manila
• Legal services in Manila
• Big tech in Manila

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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