Sterling Bank of Asia, Inc. | 3,128 followers on LinkedIn. Sterling Bank of Asia started formal banking operations on March 30, 2007 in response to the government’s mandate to create a specialized financial institutions that would support the development and growth of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. The Bank has been expanding its reach starting with the acquisition of Centennial Savings Bank in 2009 and establishing branch networks strategically located in Metro Manila and key provincial cities. Sterling Bank of Asia earned its place in the top 10 thrift banks in the Philippines as reported by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.