The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is taking steps to bring financial education and access to financing closer to different segments of the Philippine economy, from college students learning about the country’s monetary history to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking funding to grow their businesses.
The central bank recently hosted student tours at the BSP Hub in Manila while also bringing banks, financial institutions, business groups, and fintech firms together for a forum focused on improving MSME access to credit.
The initiatives reflect two sides of the BSP’s broader role in the financial system: helping Filipinos better understand money and finance while working with the financial sector to address barriers to accessing financial services.
Making financial education more accessible
Students from nine universities and colleges took part in the BSP’s “Student Tours” held on Aug. 25 and 27 and Sept. 2 at the BSP Hub along Roxas Boulevard.
Participants from Ateneo de Manila University, Centro Escolar University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, University of Makati, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas explored the country’s monetary history through the BSP Money Museum.
They also visited the library and attended short lectures and the central bank’s 33rd Anniversary Multimedia Exhibit, which provided an overview of the BSP’s mandates and role in the economy.
A participant asks a question during the tour that allowed students to explore the country’s monetary history
The tours give students a more direct look at institutions and systems that can otherwise seem distant from everyday financial decisions, particularly for young people preparing to enter the workforce.
The BSP Museum and Library are open to the public from Mondays to Thursdays. The Money Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the BSP Library operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The anniversary multimedia exhibit is also open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Sept. 16.
Helping MSMEs find the right financing
For businesses, meanwhile, the BSP is focusing on another longstanding challenge: finding financing that matches their needs and ability to repay.
The central bank hosted the MSME Financing Forum on Sept. 11 at its head office, bringing together regulators, financial institutions, business organizations, and fintech companies to discuss ways of making credit more accessible to smaller enterprises.
BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (5th from left) with BSP, PHILEXPORT, EDC-NCF, and business representatives at the 2026 MSME Financing Forum.
BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said financing can help businesses manage day-to-day operations, withstand challenges, and take advantage of opportunities for growth.
The forum examined financing approaches such as supply chain financing and alternative credit assessment methods that could help lenders evaluate businesses that may not have extensive traditional credit records.
One area discussed was the potential use of digital payment activity as an additional indicator of creditworthiness. The BSP’s Credit Risk Database Project was also highlighted as a way of improving the information available to financial institutions when assessing MSME borrowers.
This is particularly relevant as more small businesses move transactions, collections, and payments to digital channels. Their payment activity could potentially provide lenders with additional information when determining whether a business is ready for credit.
Financing for growth and exports
The discussion also looked at the importance of matching financing products with where a business is in its development, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to MSME lending.
BSP Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja highlighted the role of MSMEs in the export sector, noting that growing exporters can generate jobs, attract investments, earn foreign exchange, and contribute to a more resilient economy.
BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat leads discussions at the 2026 MSME Financing Forum.
The forum was co-organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Export Development Council’s Networking Committee on Financing, and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT).
The participation of financial technology firms also points to the growing role of digital tools in addressing financing gaps, whether through alternative credit data, digital payments, or technology-enabled lending processes.
For the central bank, improving financial inclusion is therefore not limited to expanding access to accounts or payment platforms. It also involves helping people understand the financial system and giving businesses better opportunities to participate in it.
From students exploring the history of Philippine currency to entrepreneurs looking for financing to expand their businesses, both initiatives underscore the importance of making financial institutions and services more accessible to the people and businesses they serve.
