The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a regulatory guidelines governing Sukuk issuances to expand the domestic Islamic capital market. Issued on 25 February 2026, Memorandum Circular No. 12 outlines the registration, disclosure, and structural requirements for these Shari’ah-compliant financial instruments. Sukuk function as certificates that grant investors undivided ownership interests in underlying assets, services, or projects, adhering strictly to Islamic financial principles. To guarantee compliance, the new rules mandate that issuers either form a dedicated Shari’ah Committee or hire an independent Shari’ah advisor to oversee the transaction. Under this framework, eligible issuers include publicly listed firms, non-listed…

Philippine lawmakers are backing the proposed Open Finance Act to improve financial accessibility across the country’s higher education system. The Tingog Party-list recently aligned with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and various financial technology firms to support the legislation, which aims to provide students, faculty, and administrative staff with wider access to financial tools. The measure seeks to create an interoperable and consent-based framework for sharing financial data. The proposed legislation requires the use of secure application programming interfaces and upholds consumer data rights under current privacy regulations. These strict measures are designed to stimulate market competition without compromising user…

Philippines bank assets concluded 2025, reaching a record PHP 29.86 trillion, representing an 8.87% increase from the previous year. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) indicates that this growth was largely fuelled by an expanding loan book and increased investments. Universal and commercial banks maintained the majority of these assets at PHP 27.88 trillion. Notably, digital banks experienced the highest growth rate, surging by 40.54% to PHP 165.35 billion, whilst rural and cooperative banks saw a 9.17% decline. The sector’s net loan portfolio climbed by 11.89% to PHP 16.61 trillion, and net financial investments grew by 10.51% to…

Bloomberg noted that the Philippine telecommunications provider PLDT Inc. intends to list its financial technology division, Maya, in both the United States and the Philippines. According to PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Pangilinan, the overseas public offering could occur as early as this year. The company will likely execute the US launch ahead of the local offering to tap into the deeper capital pool available for these technology enterprises. Foreign investors backing the digital bank and payment platform, including Tencent Holdings Ltd., KKR & Co., and the World Bank’s International Finance Corp., favour a US listing. However, Pangilinan…

Global financial technology firm Revolut is advancing its expansion into the Philippines by appointing Albert Tinio as its Chief Executive Officer-Designate. His LinkedIn profile confirms this. Albert assumed the Manila-based role back in February this year, following a four-year stint as Co-Chief Executive Officer at domestic digital lender GoTyme Bank. His extensive 25-year background also includes serving as President and CEO of mobile wallet GCash. This is not the first time Revolut has been mentioned alongside the Philippines as the executive hire builds upon the company’s growing operational foundation in the country. In July last year, Revolut launched a Global…

Online lending platform Honey Loan has partnered with the credit data network LenderLink to support its expansion within the Philippines. As a subsidiary of the global financial technology firm Ecofinance, Honey Loan’s launch in the country represents the parent company’s first foray into the Southeast Asian market. The integration allows Honey Loan to access LenderLink’s consent-based data exchange, which currently contains over 36 million borrower records. The platform can now review borrower repayment histories from across the network’s participating lenders. This broad access enables the system to make more informed, real-time approval decisions Such an integration allows digital lenders to…

McKinsey estimates the stablecoin market will hit $2 trillion by 2028. But according to Sam Lin, COO of dtcpay, even that massive number might be an underestimate. In this video, we dive into why the “train cannot be stopped.” From Visa embracing stablecoins to transactions that are faster and cheaper than SWIFT, the infrastructure of money is changing fundamentally behind the scenes. Key Topics: Why the $2 Trillion forecast might be conservative Stablecoins vs. SWIFT: Speed and Cost Why Visa is entering the game The next 5-10 years of digital finance

The parent company of GCash, Mynt, has released a public advisory regarding illegal investment schemes currently circulating online. The financial technology firm is warning individuals to avoid and report any social media posts or messages claiming to offer “early access” or a “pre-sale” of its corporate shares. According to the company, no public offering of its stock has been authorised to date. Mynt clarified that it has not submitted any official filings to either the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Philippine Stock Exchange. Consequently, any advertisements or communications suggesting an ongoing share sale are entirely fraudulent and…

United States citizens requiring services at the US Consular Agency in Cebu must now exclusively use the Pay.gov platform to settle their fees. This temporary policy takes effect on 25 February 2026, completely replacing cash and alternative payment methods. The transition applies to several primary consular functions, including adult passport renewals, standard passport applications, and notary services. Meanwhile, those applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad are directed to use the mytravel.gov portal for fee submission. The agency implemented this measure to improve operational efficiency and transaction security. Applicants are required to complete their digital transactions either prior to…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) recorded an 11% increase in its net income for 2025, reaching PHP 10.6 billion (US$183.71 million), Asian Banking & Finance reported. This financial growth was primarily fuelled by a 32% surge in net interest income alongside a 25% rise in service fees. The Yuchengco-led financial institution attributed these improved figures to a broader, more diverse funding base that effectively lowered operational costs. By the close of the year, the Daily Tribune noted that the bank’s total assets stood at PHP 1.4 trillion, backed heavily by PHP 1 trillion in total deposits. Current and savings accounts…

Digital life insurer Singlife Philippines reported substantial business growth and expansion in 2025, driven by an increasing consumer preference for accessible mobile-based financial products. The company recorded a 23% increase in total new business and expanded its customer base by an equal margin over the past year. A primary driver of this growth was the firm’s proprietary application, which saw policy purchases nearly triple compared to the previous year. Lester Cruz, the company’s CEO, noted this trend, stating, “Filipinos want insurance that feels simple, affordable, and dependable. The growth we’ve seen this year reflects that”. To cater to specific local…

Welcome Bank (Rural Bank), Inc. has partnered with Trusting Social Philippines to introduce a fully digital loan application process for its provincial customers. The collaboration integrates electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) protocols with eMudhra’s e-signature platform, allowing users to apply for business, personal, and auto financing directly through their smartphones. Historically, obtaining formal credit for major expenses like condominium financing or business capital involved a fragmented procedure. Even if an application started online, borrowers frequently had to complete manual paperwork, travel to physical branches, and provide wet-ink signatures, which often delayed funding by days or weeks. The newly deployed system…

Filipino-led fintech firm BCRemit has expanded its digital remittance services to 23 countries, marking a shift from its primary focus on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to a broader global audience, as reported by TN Global. The company plans to introduce tailored cross-border payment solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), business process outsourcing (BPOs) firms, and freelancers. This expansion aims to capture other major migrant markets, including those from India, Mexico, and China. “By expanding our services beyond our core community, we aim to serve as a global financial partner,” stated Oliver Calma, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BCRemit.…

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has recognised the local government of Bislig City for its efforts in promoting digital transactions through the Paleng-QR Ph program. During a recent regional meeting, Bislig City officials shared strategies used to implement cashless payments in public markets and the local transport sector. This initiative encourages the use of QR codes for daily transactions. It is also a joint project between the BSP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). In Bislig, the program has been formalised through Ordinance No. 2024-19, which mandates that business establishments and transport operators provide digital…

Rural banks in the Philippines are expected to undergo a significant wave of consolidation over the next two years. It is all due to stricter capital requirements taking effect, the Asian Banking and Finance reported. Approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in 2022, these rules aim to create more resilient lenders by 2027. However, they are likely to reduce the total number of institutions operating in the countryside. This shift is particularly impactful for rural financial inclusion, as these banks serve as primary lenders to farmers and small businesses. Jose Paolo Palileo, Chairman of Bayanihan Bank, Inc., describes…

Maya is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States that could raise between US$500 million and US$1 billion. While the company has declined to confirm these reports, citing them as market speculation, it maintains that its current priority is scaling its ecosystem for consumers and businesses in the Philippines. The fintech firm, which serves as the financial technology arm of PLDT Inc., operates as a licensed digital bank under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Since transitioning from its origins as an e-wallet, Maya has developed into an integrated financial system offering savings, loans, merchant services, and…

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) is expanding its ATM Go network into geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) by leveraging Starlink satellite internet. This initiative supports the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) objective to improve financial inclusion in underserved regions through satellite technology. The ATM Go service functions as a “kapitbahay ATM”. It allows local merchants like sari-sari stores and cooperatives to offer essential banking services. These terminals enable cash withdrawals, deposits, fund transfers, and bill payments in areas that lack traditional bank branches. Currently, approximately a quarter of RCBC’s merchant partners rely on satellite connectivity to maintain operations in…

Kaspersky has issued a warning to Filipinos regarding the seasonal surge in online romance scams. Recent advisories from the Philippine National Police (PNP) indicate a rise in reported cases where fraudsters initiate contact through social media or dating platforms before eventually requesting money from victims. According to Kaspersky, these scams have grown in sophistication by incorporating social engineering with technical tools to appear more convincing. Fraudsters typically build rapport over several weeks or months using stolen photographs and fabricated life stories. Additionally, there is a rise in bogus Valentine’s Day gift websites that mimic legitimate retailers to harvest payment details…

BridgeWise, a provider of AI-powered wealth intelligence, has acquired Chicago-based Context Analytics to strengthen its technical capabilities before launching in the Philippines this year. The acquisition allows BridgeWise to integrate unstructured data processing into its existing financial analysis tools. BridgeWise intends to serve Filipino financial institutions, including banks and brokerages, with investment intelligence derived from a combination of asset analysis and quantifiable sentiment data. Context Analytics specialises in converting human-centric information into machine-readable formats, which helps firms identify market signals and manage risk. “Our vision has always been to deliver the most robust financial intelligence available, so by acquiring Context…

Filipinos working abroad sent back home to the Philippines a record US$35.63 billion in cash remittances in 2025, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The figure represents a 3.3% increase from 2024 and surpasses the central bank’s official growth projections for the year. In December alone, inflows reached an all-time high of US$3.52 billion, marking the fastest monthly growth in three years at 4.2%. This year-end surge was largely driven by seasonal factors, including the release of bonuses and increased holiday spending. The inflows provided a significant boost to the national economy, accounting for 7.3% of…