Banking & Finance

The share of non-performing loans (NPLs) in total loans of Philippine banks fell to a two-month low in November 2024, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released last week. The NPL ratio in November stood at 3.54 percent, a slight decline from 3.60 percent in October 2024. This marked the lowest ratio since September 2024, when …

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) surpassed its 2024 collection target, reaching a total of P2.84 trillion, marking the first time in 20 years that it has exceeded its goal. “The BIR has collected at least P2.848 trillion for 2024. All credit belongs to the men and women of the BIR. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. …

Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos grew by 3.5 percent in November 2024, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP’s latest data revealed that personal remittances totaled USD3.12 billion in November, up from USD3.02 billion in the same month last year, driven by higher contributions from both land- and sea-based workers. Personal remittances include cash sent via banks …

Bank lending saw its most significant growth in nearly two years, and domestic liquidity also accelerated in November, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Preliminary data released by the BSP on Friday revealed that lending by universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) increased by 11.1 percent in November, marking the highest growth since the 13.7 percent rise recorded in …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to continue its easing cycle this year, though fewer rate cuts are anticipated following signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve about slowing its own rate cuts, according to BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions. “The BSP is still on track to deliver another 25-basis-point cut at its next meeting. However, the overall …

The Philippines and Japan have extended their Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA), securing a deal valued at up to USD12 billion, effective from January 1, 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced in a statement recently. This renewal was officially confirmed through the signing of the Fourth Amendment and Restatement Agreement of the Third BSA by representatives from the BSP …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recognized the Philippines’ significant strides in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. In its latest report, the IMF commended the country’s progress in addressing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) issues, noting that these efforts should persist. It also welcomed the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) acknowledgment that the Philippines has substantially completed its …

The Land Bank of the Philippines has assured its stakeholders of its financial stability and regulatory compliance following the allocation of P50 billion to the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). In a statement released recently, Landbank emphasized that it continues to meet and even surpass the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) minimum Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), a critical measure of a …

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) have demonstrated strong financial performance, putting them in a position to expand services and better support Filipinos, the Department of Finance (DOF) announced recently. The DOF highlighted that both banks have consistently exceeded the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR), a …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has revised its projections for the country’s balance of payments (BOP) surplus for 2024 and 2025, signaling continued resilience in the nation’s external financial position despite ongoing global uncertainties.  The BOP, which tracks a country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world, is now expected to record a surplus of USD3.5 billion in …