The country’s banking sector posted a respectable increase in resources in 2009, when the world saw the height of the latest global economic turmoil, prompting regulators to reiterate that operations of banks in the country are generally sustainable.

(more…)

This post is part of Mashable’s Spark of Genius series, which highlights a unique feature of startups. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here . The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark

(more…)

Banco de Oro Universal Bank has expanded its lending activities to include loans promoting energy efficiency and has obtained financing from the International Finance Corp.

(more…)

Banco de Oro Universal Bank has expanded its lending activities to include loans promoting energy efficiency and has obtained financing from the International Finance Corp. for its pioneering green banking program.

(more…)

The thrift banking sector has remained relevant and capable of servicing its niche market.

(more…)

The Supreme Court has upheld an earlier approval by the Court of Appeals of a 15-year rehabilitation plan of the Apo View Hotel, one of Davao City’s leading hotels, previously agreed with its creditor, the Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank.

(more…)

After registering a positive net income for the first time, Sterling Bank of Asia (Sterling Bank) is planning to recoup its two-year loss average in 2010.

(more…)

The BPI Family Savings Bank is looking to grow its auto loan portfolio by 10

he Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) was recently awarded the country’s Most Sustainable Bank at the 2009 New Economy Sustainable Banking Awards.

(more…)

BPI Family Savings Bank has posted huge growth in housing loans even in the face of the financial crisis.

(more…)

The Rural Bankers Research and Development Foundation Inc. (RBRDFI) of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) will hold a Mobile Accreditation Training Course in Cebu City on March 17 at the Sarossa International Hotel and Residential Suites located at F. Cabahug St., Ayala Access Road, Cebu City.

(more…)

GMA Network, Inc. is banking on the improving economy and strategic sales to post better financial results this year following a surge in revenues in the first two months.

(more…)

SURIGAO CITY – Without campaign funds as large as that of his closest rival, Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is banking on the local media to reach voters in the provinces.

(more…)

Upbeat on prospects on retail banking, the Aboitiz group is raising its stake in Cebu-based thrift bank City Savings Bank (CSB) to attain full control by buying out other shareholders.

(more…)

SINGAPORE – The United States, fearful of being sidelined as China and other fast-growing Asian economies speed up their integration, is banking on a new trade pact to shore up its Pacific influence.

(more…)

SINGAPORE – The United States, fearful of being sidelined as China and other fast-growing Asian economies speed up their integration, is banking on a new trade pact to shore up its Pacific influence.

(more…)

Tobacco and beer magnate Lucio C. Tan is hiring a new chief executive officer who will lead his soon-to-be-merged banking units – Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Allied Banking Corp.

(more…)

The Philippines is recognized among the leaders in developing mobile banking for the unbanked. Mobile banking utilizes the mobile phone to extend banking services such as deposits, withdrawals including remittances or money transfer, bills payments, and loan payments.

(more…)

The Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA) has rolled out a system that speeds up the collection of taxes from Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance of motor vehicles.

(more…)

MasterCard Worldwide, in collaboration with the ESSEC Business School, is offering the MasterCard-ESSEC Luxury Brand Management Executive Program for the fourth year running.

(more…)

The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is now offering a yuan savings account

(more…)

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has topped the 99th Watson Wyatt Survey on Investment Performance (SIP) of Retirement Funds in the Philippines, under the All Trusteed Funds Category for Investment Managers handling at least five funds in the survey.

(more…)

Since it was introduced in 2005, True Money has six million customers. True Money is the leading mobile money transfer (MMT) service of Thailand

(more…)

Visa and Travelex, a provider of foreign exchange and international payments specialist, have launched the first Visa Money Transfer service in Australia.

(more…)

A new Facebook app launched this week that lets you send small sums of money to friends – the London-based company allows payments to be sent in US dollars or Euros. Beyond sharing links, photos, videos and status updates, is the exchange of real money a logical next step for Facebook users? What about Facebook Credits, and the popularity of buying virtual goods within games like FarmVille — do those indicate Facebook’s potential to become a leading online payments provider

(more…)

Perhaps not surprisingly, The Situation, Snooki and friends did not know many of the answers to Jay Leno’s questions. By Gil Kaufman The cast of “Jersey Shore” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Wednesday Photo: NBC Jay Leno continued his streak of major celebrity bookings on his re-booted “Tonight Show” Wednesday night when the cast of “Jersey Shore” swung by to play a round of “Battle of the Celebrity All Stars: Jersey Shore Edition.” It was the second go-round for the kids — they visited Leno’s ill-fated prime-time show in December for a similar bit. This time, it was the guys versus the girls, as Sammi Sweetheart, J-Woww and Snooki took on Ronnie, Pauly D and The Situation

(more…)

Perhaps not surprisingly, The Situation, Snooki and friends did not know many of the answers to Jay Leno’s questions. By Gil Kaufman The cast of “Jersey Shore” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Wednesday Photo: NBC Jay Leno continued his streak of major celebrity bookings on his re-booted “Tonight Show” Wednesday night when the cast of “Jersey Shore” swung by to play a round of “Battle of the Celebrity All Stars: Jersey Shore Edition.” It was the second go-round for the kids — they visited Leno’s ill-fated prime-time show in December for a similar bit.

(more…)

Local property companies are banking on the middle-income market to boost condominium sales this year, attracting buyers with master-planned communities that combine leisure and business.

(more…)

Banco De Oro Unibank Inc.

(more…)

The country’s thrift banking system is extremely bullish in the Year of the Tiger, looking to grow its loans and deposits by double digits this year, despite the continued “encroachment” of both the commercial and rural banks.

(more…)

The Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) and AXA Philippines are giving free personal accident (PA) coverage of P100,000 for 12 months to individuals who open any Metrobank account from now until March 31, 2010.

(more…)

The total sales of Manulife Philippines for its combined life and pre-need businesses increased by 28 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with the same period in 2008, following a 77-percent growth in total single premium sales and an eight-percent growth in total regular premium sales.

(more…)

1st Valley Bank together with G-Xchange Inc. (GXI), the mobile commerce subsidiary of Globe Telecom, brings the benefits of mobile banking services to Filipinos in Mindanao.

(more…)

Two mutual funds managed by Grepalife Asset Management Corp. (GAMC) performed beyond expectations in 2009.

(more…)

Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Pink and Kings of Leon also make the top 40 list for 2009. By Gil Kaufman Britney Spears Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Billboard magazine’s fourth-annual Top 40 Money Makers list is topped by U2 this year. The Irish superstars raked in more than $108 million in 2009, mostly through their gigantic 360-degree tour — the most expensive rock production to ever hit the road — which is also destined to be the highest-grossing tour of all time.

(more…)

Both Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II [iTunes links] — two games from one of the most revered console game franchises of all time — are available for purchase in the Apple App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch right now.

(more…)

The Gokongwei group has struck a deal to acquire the Philippine commercial banking unit of beleaguered Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Plc, which has put up a number of Asian businesses for sale as part of a global streamlining.

(more…)

The China Banking Corp. (China Bank) has recorded an unaudited net income of P4.03 billion in 2009, or 42.4 percent higher than the P2.83-billion earnings reported last year.

(more…)

The Insurance Commission (IC) has a new commissioner in Santiago J. Ranada, retired justice of the Court of Appeals, replacing long-time commissioner Eduardo T

(more…)

The Rural Bankers Association of The Philippines (RBAP) has expressed concern over the effect of the El Ni