Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) expects a moderate recovery for the Philippine economy in 2026, as easing inflation, a more accommodative monetary policy environment, and gradually improving global conditions help offset lingering external and domestic headwinds. The outlook comes after a volatile 2025 marked by early optimism that faded as global uncertainties intensified. Market […]
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sees inflation remaining manageable over the medium term, even as economic growth momentum softens and external headwinds push the country’s balance of payments (BOP) back into deficit territory. In its latest assessment, the BSP said December 2025 inflation settled at 1.8 percent, comfortably within its forecast range of 1.2 to 2.0 […]
The Social Security System (SSS) is preparing to pilot a new microloan program in the first half of 2026, positioning it as a safer and more affordable alternative to high-cost informal lending that continues to trap many Filipinos — particularly pensioners — in cycles of debt. As reported in Inquirer.net, Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, […]
The Philippines is bracing for a more challenging external environment over the next two years, with the country’s balance of payments (BOP) expected to slip into deficit territory in 2025 and 2026 — just as signs of cooling emerge in the domestic property market. From a modest surplus in 2024, the BOP is projected to […]
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)‘s deadline for new digital banking license applications came and went at the end of November 2025 with little fanfare — but behind the regulatory silence, a more consequential story is unfolding for the Philippine fintech sector. While the central bank confirmed it received just three applications before the November 30 deadline, […]
As Filipinos ease back into work routines, school schedules, and everyday errands after the holidays, the small friction points of daily life are becoming harder to ignore — long checkout lines, fumbling for wallets, and repeatedly typing card details for online purchases. EastWest Banking Corporation is aiming to remove some of that friction. The bank […]
Growing concerns over continued government data breaches are intensifying calls for the Philippines to accelerate long-delayed cybersecurity reforms, even as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) moves to fortify the financial sector against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As reported in Manila Bulletin, a cybersecurity expert from the Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals (PICSPro) has […]
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to remain manageable in December 2025, even as foreign currency lending activity shows signs of moderation amid shifting economic conditions. In its latest month-ahead forecast, the BSP projected December inflation to settle within the 1.2 to 2.0 percent range, reflecting a balance between seasonal price pressures and easing […]
Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is deepening its push toward end-to-end digital banking, rolling out a zero-touch payroll account opening solution while strengthening its leadership bench with a new appointment in its consumer banking business. The bank recently introduced Zero-Touch Onboarding, a payroll account opening solution that allows employees to open their accounts in less […]
This news is a perfect Christmas gift for the local fintech ecosystem! Just as Filipinos wrap up their final holiday shopping sprees and prepare for the Noche Buena feast, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has delivered a long-term present for the country’s digital economy. In a strategic move that promises to streamline everything from […]
