Banking & Finance

Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) has reaffirmed the Philippines’ investment-grade rating, highlighting the country’s sustainable economic growth and the soundness of its banking system. In its latest report released Thursday, JCR pointed to robust domestic demand, low external debt, ample foreign exchange reserves, and a stable financial system as key drivers of the country’s “A-” credit rating with a “stable” …

Digital finance platform Atome and digital lender Maya Bank have entered into a ₱2.75 billion loan channeling partnership to expand Filipinos’ access to credit. In a statement last week, Maya Bank said the deal, signed on Sept. 3, aims to provide responsible, risk-managed, and transparent flexible payment options, particularly for underserved customers. “We are deeply honored to partner with Maya …

The Philippines’ balance of payments (BOP), which accounts for the transactions of the country with the rest of the world, registered a surplus of US$359 million in August 2025. This is higher than the US$88 million surplus recorded in August 2024. The BOP surplus reflected the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) net income from its investments abroad. This surplus helped …

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) on Friday cautioned the public against fake official receipts (ORs) being used in transactions involving closed banks under liquidation. According to PDIC, the counterfeit ORs carry the old PDIC logo, contain misspellings, falsified signatures of personnel, and deviate from the standard format of genuine PDIC-issued receipts. The agency reminded clients to transact only with …

Foreign direct investments (FDIs) posted net inflows of USD376 million in June, down 17.8 percent from USD457 million in the same month last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported last week. The decline was mainly due to non-residents shifting their equity capital investments from USD85 million inflows in June 2024 to USD57 million outflows this year. This was …

The average rate of the five-year Treasury bond (T-bond) fell to 5.772 percent during Tuesday’s auction, down from 5.896 percent in the July 1 issuance, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported. Despite the lower rate, the BTr’s auction committee made a full award of P30 billion as bids reached P79.67 billion—more than twice the offer. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation …

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is extending the bulk of a P100-billion Syndicated Term Loan Facility to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) to boost fiscal sustainability and energy sector reforms. LANDBANK committed P60 billion, or 60% of the facility, which will be used to augment PSALM’s working capital, refinance existing liabilities, and settle domestic …

The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has granted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) petition for a refund of ₱24,684 in documentary stamp taxes (DST) it paid in connection with the foreclosure of mortgaged properties of the Rural Bank of San Miguel. In a nine-page decision released Friday, the CTA Special First Division ruled that under its charter, the BSP …

Bank lending grew at a slightly slower pace in July while domestic liquidity picked up, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Friday. Data showed outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) expanded by 11.8 percent year-on-year, easing from 12.1 percent in June. The amount of outstanding loans stood at P13.57 trillion. Lending to residents rose by 12.4 percent …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has once again been named one of the world’s best central bank governors, earning an “A-” rating in Global Finance magazine’s Central Banker Report Cards 2025. This is his second consecutive year on the prestigious list. The report card evaluates central bankers from nearly 100 countries, assigning grades from A+ (highest) …