With economic growth slowing to its lowest pace since the second quarter of 2023, economists pointed to lower inflation and eased monetary policy as potential catalysts for boosting consumption, although trade barriers and peso volatility could hinder this progress. "Admittedly, a continued boost...
Big banks’ outstanding loans grew by 11 percent year-on-year in September, an improvement from the 10.4 percent reported in August, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Bank lending in peso terms amounted to P12.402 trillion in September, net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements...
Foreign investments in the Philippines surged in September, nearly doubling compared to August and reversing the trend of money flowing out of the country recorded last year. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows reached $1.03...
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Thursday, Oct. 31, that the rate of increase in consumer prices is expected to rise in October after two months of decline, largely due to higher food and fuel prices. In a statement, the BSP projected that October's inflation rate would likely...
By DERCO ROSAL London-based Capital Economics expects that Southeast Asian central banks, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), will likely continue lowering interest rates in the coming months due to anticipated sluggish economic growth and continued low inflation. “With GDP [gross...
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has expressed optimism following the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) recent announcement recognizing the Philippines’ progress in addressing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) concerns. On Oct. 25, 2024, the FATF declared...
By DERCO ROSAL Citi stated that bank management sees full-time operations as the top priority for banks over the next five years to address cross-border payment challenges. “Our clients and their end-users increasingly expect payment services that are instant and available 24x7,” Citi said in...
By DERCO ROSAL The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects a wave of interest rate cuts among Asian central banks, driven by strong economic performance, even as it cautions that trade fragmentation could hinder global growth. Domestic demand in advanced Asia is set to strengthen, while emerging...
Central banks in emerging Asian economies like the Philippines are expected to further lower interest rates despite expectations of slower monetary easing if the protectionist former US president Donald J. Trump returns to the White House, according to two economic think tanks. In an Oct. 21...
Moody’s Analytics is projecting that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will further reduce its key interest rate by another 25 basis points (bps) in December. According to Moody’s Analytics, this forecast is based on the country's continued low inflation rates and stable price...
BY DERCO ROSAL German financial services giant Deutsche Bank expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to continue easing gradually but warns that the US presidential election and trade policy changes could delay further rate cuts. “A key risk to our view is the US presidential election and...
By DERCO ROSAL While the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ dual rate cut could stimulate economic growth, UK-based banking giant HSBC warned of potential delays as borrowers may hesitate to take on new debt until the easing cycle is complete. Following the recent 25-basis-point (bp) rate cut to 6.0...
