Banking & Finance

Finance Secretary and Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) Chair Ralph G. Recto has praised the state bank for declaring P33.5 billion in dividends–its single highest dividend yield in its history, with millions of Filipinos expected to benefit. The dividend remittance is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to uphold fiscal discipline, ensuring that the government maximizes …

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) reported a significant increase in asset sales in 2024, generating P411.4 million from the sale of 281 properties—up by 24.7% from P330 million in 2023. In a statement released last week, the PDIC said the number of properties sold this year matched 2023 figures, but the total sale value in 2024 exceeded the aggregate …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series (FPPBS) has won the “Best New Banknote or Banknote Series” award from the International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA). In a statement released last week, the BSP said the award was conferred during a ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 28. IACA cited the FPPBS for its cutting-edge …

The Department of Finance (DOF) assured that the government is effectively managing the national debt it inherited from the previous administration by sustaining strong economic growth and implementing prudent fiscal policies. In a statement released Thursday, the DOF said the P16.75 trillion national debt as of end-April 2025 remains relatively low compared to other Asian economies. Japan tops the list …

The Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) announced that the reduced P10 fee for InstaPay inter-bank transfers via the BPI app and online platform will now be a permanent feature. This move aims to make digital financial services more affordable and accessible for customers. Previously, BPI had cut the InstaPay fee from P25 to P10 as a promotional offer to …

The euro has the potential to challenge the US dollar’s dominance as the world’s primary reserve currency, but experts say internal fragmentation within the eurozone and the unmatched scale of US capital markets remain formidable roadblocks. European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde recently argued that the euro could assume a larger global role, particularly in a world increasingly shaped …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is calling on real estate companies—both large and small—to consider tapping the capital markets to fund their expansion and operations, highlighting new streamlined guidelines that make this process more accessible. At the heart of this push is the SEC’s newly launched program Securing & Expanding Capital in Real Estate Investment Transactions (SEC RENT), which …

Driven by its robust financial performance in 2024 and sustained momentum into 2025, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has declared P33.53 billion in cash dividends to the National Government — the highest in the Bank’s history. This record-setting cash dividend is expected to fund priority infrastructure and socio-economic programs, reaffirming LANDBANK’s critical role in advancing national development. “LANDBANK’s …

Driven by its robust financial performance in 2024 and sustained momentum into 2025, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has declared ₱33.53 billion in cash dividends to the National Government — the highest in the Bank’s history.  This record-setting cash dividend is expected to fund priority infrastructure and socio-economic programs, reaffirming LANDBANK’s critical role in advancing national development.  “LANDBANK’s …

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has officially expanded its deposit insurance coverage to include Islamic banks (IBs) and Islamic banking units (IBUs), ensuring that depositors in these institutions enjoy the same level of protection as those in conventional banks. In a statement released Wednesday, PDIC confirmed that Islamic bank deposits are now insured up to the Maximum Deposit Insurance …