Banking & Finance

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is set to offer at least ₱30 billion worth of new retail treasury bonds (RTBs) as the government taps individual investors for fresh funding. The peso-denominated RTB 32 will carry a fixed interest rate and mature in 2029, with an investment term of 2.5 years. The bond auction will run from Sept. 29 to …

Banks making the shift to digital banking will have to put up at least ₱1 billion in capital under new requirements issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The requirement covers existing thrift banks, rural banks and cooperative banks whose operations are determined by the BSP to have evolved into a business model similar to that of a digital …

State-owned Al-Amanah Investment Bank of the Philippines is preparing financing support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking to expand into the fast-growing halal market. The bank is still determining how much capital it will allocate for the program, but Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Amenah Pangandaman said the initiative is intended to help businesses that struggle to secure …

A 166-megawatt peak solar project with an 80-megawatt-hour battery storage system in Iloilo has secured ₱6.215 billion in financing, paving the way for its targeted commercial operation by the second quarter of 2027. Singapore-based Levanta Renewables reached financial close for the Barotac Viejo project through a co-financing package with Philippine National Bank (PNB). The project is expected to add new …

More than 1,000 Metrobank employees were recognized for their years of service as the bank marked its 64th anniversary, highlighting the people behind its six decades of growth and transformation. Among the awardees were 171 Metrobankers who have spent 30 years with the bank, witnessing major changes in the financial industry and helping the institution navigate different economic cycles. Metrobank …

Security Bank and MUFG Bank are strengthening their decade-long strategic partnership as MUFG Manila marks a new milestone with its upgrade to a universal banking license in the Philippines. The two banks have established businesses in the local market and will continue to operate independently. Their partnership combines Security Bank’s local franchise, nationwide network of 400 branches and established client …

Total assets of the Philippine banking system rose by more than 10 percent year-on-year in July, reaching ₱30.71 trillion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). BSP data showed that the July figure was up from ₱27.74 trillion recorded in the same month last year. On a month-on-month basis, however, total bank assets declined from ₱31.12 trillion in June. …

State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines has received an international award for its financing support for renewable energy and power infrastructure projects that contribute to the country’s energy security and clean energy transition. LandBank said last week that it received the Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Award for Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing for its sustainable power and energy infrastructure financing portfolio. Senior …

EastWest is expanding digital banking access through EasyWay, its mobile banking app that now allows customers to open savings accounts and apply for credit cards directly from their smartphones. The bank said 47 percent of new accounts opened since the launch of its digital account-opening service were processed through EasyWay, reflecting growing customer preference for digital onboarding. The shift comes …

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has become the first universal bank in the Philippines to secure both international certifications for information security and privacy management. BPI said it obtained ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its Information Security Management System and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 certification for its Privacy Information Management System. The certifications were awarded by The British Standards Institution (BSI) …