Banking & Finance

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a memorandum granting temporary regulatory relief to banks and quasi-banks to cushion the impact of market volatility linked to the Middle East conflict. Under Memorandum 2026-027, financial institutions may temporarily exclude certain unrealized losses—or “paper losses”—on peso government securities from the computation of their regulatory capital. Unrealized losses refer to declines in …

More overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are preparing for life after working abroad by exploring ways to save, invest, and create sustainable income sources. At the OFW Kabuhayan Expo 2026, BDO Unibank, together with its partner Xoom, joined other organizations in promoting financial preparedness among migrant workers. “We want to help OFWs make the most of every remittance—not only to support …

Nearly 500 solo parents in Naga City now have a secure, cash-lite way to receive government assistance through newly opened LANDBANK PISO (Perang Inimpok Savings Option) accounts. The initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement on April 29, 2026, between Naga City Mayor Atty. Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, integrates beneficiaries into …

Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB), in partnership with JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), has introduced the PNB JCB Platinum credit card, designed to match the evolving spending habits of Filipino consumers. As more users balance digital, in-person, and international transactions, the card supports everyday purchases while offering added convenience for travel and bigger expenses. It features rewards earning, flexible payment …

The Philippine banking sector remains capable of weathering potential economic shocks despite emerging risks to credit quality, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Friday. The statement came after Fitch Ratings warned that recent economic headwinds could lead to higher loan impairments and weaker profitability among local banks this year. Monetary authorities said they continue to closely monitor developments affecting …

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and BDO Unibank are strengthening efforts to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) prepare for life after employment abroad, focusing on financial literacy, skills development, and entrepreneurship as part of long-term reintegration programs. OFWs continue to leave the country in search of higher-paying jobs overseas, enabling them to support their families’ basic needs, education, and …

The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday raised its key policy interest rates by 25 basis points, citing continued inflationary pressures driven by elevated global oil and fertilizer prices. The latest adjustment brings the BSP’s target reverse repurchase (RRP) rate to 4.75 percent. Correspondingly, the overnight deposit facility rate was increased to 4.25 percent, while …

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) obtained EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification for 11 of its branches in 2024, bringing the total number of branches awarded with the green building recognition to 22. This milestone further underscores BPI’s leadership in sustainability and responsible operations, as EDGE certification—developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a division of …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the public offering of up to ₱5 billion in fixed-rate bonds by listed real estate developer A Brown Company, Inc. (ABCI), paving the way for the firm’s fundraising activity under its shelf registration program. In a statement last week, the SEC said its Commission En Banc, in a meeting held Tuesday, “resolved …

Foreign direct investments (FDI) posted net inflows of $611 million in March this year, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), reflecting continued but slightly moderating investor activity. The March figure was higher than the $485 million recorded in the same month last year, but 4.2 percent lower than February’s $638 million, indicating month-to-month fluctuations amid …