Banking & Finance

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) kept its policy rate at 4.25 percent following an off-cycle Monetary Board meeting on Thursday to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict on inflation and growth. BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chairperson Eli Remolona Jr. said the rare meeting was called due to the “fast-changing and uncertain environment” caused by the ongoing …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is prepared to provide rapid financial and technical support to developing member countries (DMCs) affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “ADB will deliver rapid, flexible, and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and strengthen long-term resilience, notably fast-disbursing budget support and trade and supply chain finance to secure …

Banks in the Philippines are showing stronger adherence to Agri-Agra lending requirements, driven in part by the government’s push for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas official said. BSP Assistant Governor Pia Roman-Tayag noted that more financial institutions are now meeting lending mandates and integrating ESG principles to manage governance and operational risks. “More banks …

LANDBANK and the Commission on Higher Education have partnered to advance agricultural education and fully digitalize scholarship support for nearly one million CHED scholars nationwide. The partnership was formalized by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis during the Higher Education Summit on 12 March 2026 at the SMX Clark Convention Center in …

Chinabank is offering its HomePlus Bundle Promo with a 6.25% p.a. fixed interest rate for five years—the lowest in the market—along with a waiver of up to ₱50,000 in bank fees. Borrowers taking a ₱5 million loan over 15 years could save over ₱90,000 compared to typical competitor rates of 6.50% or higher. To qualify, applicants must apply for a …

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation said last week it completed the filing of 46 asset distribution plans (ADPs) with liquidation courts nationwide last year, meeting its full-year goal and speeding up payouts to creditors of closed banks. The filings include 20 final ADPs and 26 partial ADPs, each detailing how bank assets will be allocated based on their estimated realizable …

Philippine Guarantee Corporation and Sterling Bank of Asia have signed a ₱5-billion housing retail guarantee facility to widen access to home financing for Filipino families. The agreement was inked on March 17 at the Sterling Bank of Asia Head Office in San Juan City by PHILGUARANTEE President and CEO Alberto Pascual and SVP Teresito Cayo Butardo, joined by Sterling Bank …

BDO Unibank has renewed its partnership with 2GO to make shipping and travel more affordable and convenient for overseas Filipinos and their families. Through the collaboration, BDO Kabayan Savings accountholders can access exclusive discounts on 2GO’s shipping and travel services, reflecting a shared commitment to “Alagang Kabayan”—care for Filipinos abroad. “At BDO, we’ve always believed in finding ways to make …

LANDBANK has formalized a partnership with the League of Municipalities of the Philippines to enhance access to development financing and technical support across 1,486 municipalities nationwide. The collaboration, cemented through a Memorandum of Agreement during the LMP 1st General Assembly on March 9 in Pasay City, was signed by LANDBANK Executive Vice President Charlotte I. Conde and LMP National President …

Finance Secretary Frederick Go met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva last week to discuss how the Philippines can advance its agenda of strengthening regional economic integration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Go outlined government initiatives aimed at supporting private sector growth by …