Banking & Finance

Foreign direct investments (FDI) posted net inflows of USD560 million in December 2025, higher than the USD427 million recorded in the same month a year earlier, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP said Japan emerged as the largest source of investments during the month, with most inflows directed to financial and insurance activities. …

HSBC Philippines remains optimistic about expanding its retail banking operations in the country despite uncertainties arising from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Speaking at a briefing in Makati City last week, Pramoth Rajendran, head of international wealth and premier banking at HSBC Philippines, said the bank aims to double its customer base within the next three to five …

Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB) has passed its surveillance audit for the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 information security certification while expanding the scope of the standard across more of its operations, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to safeguarding customer and business data. The certification audit was conducted by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and now includes additional business units, reflecting the bank’s continuing …

Metrobank is making investing more accessible by allowing clients to open and manage Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF) accounts entirely online through its Metrobank Online platform. With the UITF Online feature, investors can subscribe, redeem, and monitor their funds anytime, anywhere, all managed by Metrobank’s multi-awarded team of fund managers. The platform caters to both new investors and those seeking …

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) was recently recognized as the “OFW Bank of the Year” at the Gintong Ani Awards in Dubai, reaffirming its position as the most trusted partner of Filipinos in the UAE. The award highlights BPI’s strong commitment to overseas Filipinos and their families, offering reliable and accessible banking solutions that support their financial needs. …

Officials from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met Wednesday to reaffirm their partnership and boost coordination on key reform priorities, the BTr said Thursday. “Discussions centered on public financial management reforms and opportunities to deepen technical cooperation in areas such as treasury management,” the agency said. National Treasurer Sharon Almanza and Deputy Treasurer …

The Department of Finance (DOF) has secured funding for the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) through a ₱8.2 billion loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the agency said. The third tranche of the financing agreement will be used to restore the train system to its original condition, improve performance, and prepare for future expansion …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has raised the cash withdrawal threshold triggering enhanced due diligence (EDD) to ₱1 million from ₱500,000. Under Circular 1230, issued February 27, depositors may withdraw up to ₱1 million without EDD. Transactions exceeding that amount require proof of legitimacy, the central bank said in a statement last week. “The increase follows consultations with banks …

The World Bank has approved three new grants totaling USD4.13 million this year to support job creation and poverty reduction in the Philippines, the Department of Finance (DOF) said recently. Grants, provided at no cost to the government, fully fund critical preparatory work while preserving fiscal space for priority projects. Finance Secretary Frederick Go facilitated swift government clearances for the …

THE  Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released the results of the inaugural monthly Business Expectations Survey (BES), marking the start of a more frequent assessment of business sentiment in the Philippines. The shift from a quarterly to a monthly survey will allow the BSP to monitor business confidence more closely and respond more effectively to rapidly changing domestic and external …