Philippines

Fintech / Regtech

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.

AML / KYC

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.

Capital / Liquidity

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.

ESG / Sustainability

Philippines Proposes Mandatory Annual Governance Training for Directors

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 10/02/2026

New draft rules introduce a new accreditation framework for training providers and speakers, with escalating fines for non-compliance.

Fintech / Regtech

Thailand OIC Unveils Five-Year Plan to Make Insurance a 'National Risk Buffer'

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 10/02/2026

The 2026-2030 plan introduces group-wide supervision, advanced risk modelling, and mandates ESG integration to bolster the country's economic resilience.

Securities / Derivatives

PSE Proposes Rule Changes to Boost Offshore Securities Lending

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 09/02/2026

The proposed framework aims to align with global standards by allowing offshore collateral management to encourage greater foreign participation in the market.

Fintech / Regtech

Bank Indonesia Joins Nexus Project to Strengthen Cross-Border Payments

By Nithya Subramanian | 04/02/2026

Joining the BIS-led initiative will help lower costs, improve speed and expand access to international transfers by linking domestic instant payment systems across borders.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Philippines Bans Banks From Dealing with Unregistered Crypto Firms

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/02/2026

New rules prohibit dealings with unlicensed virtual asset service providers and restrict retail customer access to offshore platforms.

ESG / Sustainability

BSP Taps Space Agency to Integrate Satellite Data into Financial Supervision

By Mark Johnston | 03/02/2026

The BSP will use geospatial tools to monitor physical risk exposures, inflation drivers and disaster impacts on economic stability.