GDP contracted by 9 1\2 percent in 2020-a much steeper decline than during the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC)-but it is now recovering with the easing of containment measures and economic policy support. Banks are closely connected to the corporate sector through high credit exposures and...

The economy is recovering after a major, pandemic-induced economic downturn. The authorities have deployed a comprehensive set of policy responses that have helped to mitigate the socioeconomic impact and maintain financial stability. The economic recovery slowed in the first half of 2021 due to...

With the support of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department (APD) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), an IMF Statistics Department (STA)'s remote financial soundness indicators (FSIs) technical assistance (TA) mission took place during April 30-May 14, 2021. The main objective of the...

The BSP's regulatory framework is broadly effective for the size and complexity of the Philippine banking system, but legislative gaps continue to hinder effective supervision of banks. The BSP has a well-resourced, experienced and highly committed staffing complement, but there is an ongoing...