Philippines

Payments & Settlements

Philippines Tables Bill to Mandate Digital Payments for Government and Merchants

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 26/02/2026

A sweeping bill advancing in the Philippine legislature seeks to mandate digital payments for both government and merchant transactions, creating a new multi-agency oversight body.

Payments & Settlements

Philippines Partners with UAE on Islamic Finance, Cross-Border Payments

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 25/02/2026

The agreement aims to modernise payment systems and strengthen regulatory collaboration, with a focus on improving remittance channels for overseas workers.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

BSP Inks Info-Sharing Agreements with Other Agencies to Combat Scams

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/02/2026

The agreements, based on the new Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, aim to speed up investigations while upholding existing bank secrecy safeguards.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines Mandates Development of New National AML Strategy

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/02/2026

A presidential directive orders all government agencies to help draft a new national strategy for 2026-2030 and prepare for the next mutual evaluation in 2027.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Philippines Identifies Cybercrime and Swindling as Top Illicit Finance Threats

By Mark Johnston | 19/02/2026

STR analysis identifies the US, Australia, and the UK as the top source countries for inward remittances tied to child exploitation.

Liquidity Risk

Philippines Central Bank to Cut Reserve Ratios, Overhaul Reporting

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 16/02/2026

New rules effective 27 February will reduce reserve requirements on certain liabilities and consolidate multiple reports into a single weekly submission for banks and quasi-banks.

Emerging Prudential Risks

Philippines Moves to Cap Digital Reach of Rural Banks

By Mark Johnston | 16/02/2026

Accounts held by customers with registered addresses outside a rural bank's head office and branch locations will not be permitted to exceed 30 percent of total customer accounts.

KYC & CDD

BSP Eases Large Cash Transaction Rules After Business Lobbying

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/02/2026

The BSP has introduced risk-based flexibilities for due diligence on large cash withdrawals following concerns from businesses about operational disruptions.

Structural Regulation

Philippines to Hike Lending Firm Capital 10x to Curb Predatory Practices

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 10/02/2026

The SEC also plans a new accreditation system for collection agents following reports of harassment and threats against borrowers.