A wider external imbalance threatens to add further depreciation pressure on the already record-weak Philippine peso, as escalating geopolitical tensions—particularly the United States (US)-backed Israel-Iran conflict—are expected to drive up import costs and weigh on export growth, widening...
Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Ltd. (UOB) expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep key interest rates unchanged this year, despite rising risks to growth and inflation from the ongoing war in the Middle East. “Amid persistent uncertainty over the Middle East conflict, we expect...
Local banking sector showed signs of resilience in February as lending growth by major lenders accelerated, snapping the cooling trend that had sent credit expansion to a near two-year low the previous month. According to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), bank lending...
Bank of Commerce, the banking arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., reported record full-year earnings as surging interest income and disciplined approach to costs drove a third consecutive year of growth following its initial public offering. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on...
The research arm of Frankfurt-based Deutsche Bank believes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could eventually hike the 4.25-percent key interest rate over upcoming policy meetings, but the cycle could end after a maximum of three hikes as the Philippines still grows below potential. “Prices...
The Philippines narrowed its net external liability position at the end of 2025, as growth in overseas financial assets outpaced the accumulation of debt, signaling strengthening of the country’s balance sheet with the rest of the world. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that...
While global oil shocks have yet to fully affect the Philippine economy since the flare-up of United States (US)-Iran military hostilities a month ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) minimum inflation assumption is that March accelerated at the fastest pace in at least 19 months. Seen as...
Central banks in emerging markets (EMs), including the Philippines, are seen hiking interest rates to temper weakening currencies and higher capital outflows, according to think tank Capital Economics. Shilan Shah, deputy chief EM economist at Capital Economics, said in a March 30 report that they...
Dividend remittances of government-owned and/or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) fell 17.2 percent to ₱114.6 billion in 2025, driven by a sharp contraction in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) remittance after leading in two consecutive years. The latest data from the Bureau of the...
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is facing mounting pressure to abandon its steady policy stance as domestic and foreign lenders warn that persistent supply shocks are beginning to seep into the broader economy. A growing chorus of economists expects the BSP to raise its benchmark interest...
The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) has expressed strong support for proposed amendments to the Magna Carta for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while stressing that reforms must deliver concrete benefits such as improved access to financing and more favorable loan...
Philippine companies are growing more optimistic about the broader economic outlook even as they scale back plans to expand operations, citing intense market competition and the lingering weight of high interest rates. “Businesses expect steady consumer demand throughout the year. Firms also see...
