During the financial crisis, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas initiated a number of moves to ensure liquidity. Aside from cutting its key policy rates by 200 basis points, it also increased its peso rediscounting facilities to P60B from P40B and cut bank reserve requirements by 2% from 21% to 19%. And as the BSP had stated, it will continue to issue new circulars (some of which will take effect in 2011) to pursue initiatives to nurture a self-sustaining recovery, and beyond that, to enable the economy to realize its full development potential. Thrift banks will be required to set aside 15% of their revenues as capital to cover operational risk, such as losses due to calamities. Originally earmarked to be implemented this year, the BSP postponed its implementation for 2011 per request of the thrift bank industry. The BSP also plans to require banks to set aside more capital if they invest in risky financial products, by requiring a higher capital adequacy ratio (CAR), which at present stands at 10%. It will allow all banks to offer micro-agri loans, which is presently being limited to rural banks. Beginning in 2011, banks’ check clearing will be implemented same-day instead of the present two days. The proposed new clearing process aims to eliminate the BSP settlement risk and funding of accounts by depositors on a “catch up mode”. Funds, however, will still be available for withdrawal on the third day because checks with technical defects will be returned only on the second day.

In addition, new Deposit Insurance Law took effect on June 1, 2009---the maximum deposit insurance coverage for bank deposits was doubled to P500,000. In March of 2010, President Arroyo signed a new law requiring banks to lend at least 25% of their loanable funds to farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries and fishermen, but it now limits the modes of alternative compliance.

 

By the end of the first quarter of 2010, US crude futures jumped to $86.00 a barrel to their highest since October 2008; yields on 91-day T-bills dropped further to 3.92%; inflation averaged 4.3%; the peso appreciated a fresh 20-month high, closing at P44.74 to the dollar and the PSEI advanced by 3.6% or 109.12 points to close at 3,161.80. The BSP, however, is expected to maintain its key policy rates at its present level as inflation outlook remains manageable, but rate increase is projected by the fourth quarter.

By year end, it seems that the worst of the financial crisis has passed and economic activity had increased. Nevertheless, there are uncertainties which will remain for the coming months: the ongoing El Nino weather pattern as continuous dry spell will affect food output and cause volatility in commodity prices, the present power and water crisis and the outcome of the Presidential elections in May which will affect both the political and financial fronts.

2010 will continue to be another challenging year for the bank, but with the guidance of our Board of Directors, the support of our stockholders, and the dedication of our management team, officers and employees, we hope to prevail again during these difficult times.

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