Philippines

Sustainable Finance

Philippines Central Bank Extends Green Lending Incentives for Banks

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 13/01/2026

The BSP has prolonged measures allowing higher lending limits and reserve exemptions for sustainable projects to support the country's climate transition.

Structural Regulation

Philippine SEC Expands REIT Rules to Include Infrastructure, New Structures

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 12/01/2026

New regulations broaden the scope of eligible assets, allow for SPV structures, and refine corporate governance rules.

Credit Risk

Philippines Launches State Micro-Lending to Curb Predatory Credit

By Mark Johnston | 06/01/2026

The Department of Finance directs the Social Security System to partner with banks for a digital micro-loan pilot launching H1 2026.

Anti-Money Laundering

New BSP Paper Argues Against Demonetisation to Fight Crime

By Manesh Samtani | 31/12/2025

Discussion paper calls demonetisation a "blunt instrument" and urges broader institutional reforms to fight financial crime.

Payments & Settlements

Philippines Mandates ISO 20022 for All Retail Payment Systems

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/12/2025

The new rules give financial institutions two years to fully adopt the global messaging standard for domestic and cross-border payments.

Cryptocurrency

Philippines Blocks Coinbase, Gemini in Crackdown on Unlicensed Platforms

By Editors | 26/12/2025

Regulators ordered ISPs to block 50 virtual asset providers, while investors reported access issues to brokerage Interactive Brokers.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines House Passes Bill to Amend Bank Secrecy

By Editors | 26/12/2025

The measure grants the central bank powers to examine accounts in corruption cases, aligning with international AML standards.

Reporting & Disclosures

Philippines Mandates IFRS-Aligned Sustainability Reporting in Phased Rollout

By Editors | 26/12/2025

The SEC has adopted PFRS S1 and S2, setting a tiered timeline for mandatory disclosure and external assurance for listed and large private firms.

Anti-Money Laundering

Philippines SEC Overhauls Beneficial Ownership Rules to Curb Illicit Finance

By Editors | 24/12/2025

New framework sets a 20 percent reporting threshold and introduces an online registry to boost transparency and combat financial crime.