Banking & Insurance

Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) has secured a P4.05-billion project finance loan from Land Bank of the Philippines to build two embedded solar power projects in Central Luzon, expanding clean energy capacity while helping electric cooperatives deliver more reliable and potentially cheaper electricity.

The International Finance Corp. (IFC) is investing USD100 million in Union Bank of the Philippines through the bank's inaugural sustainability bond, marking another step in efforts to deepen the Philippine capital market while expanding financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and environmentally sustainable projects.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has introduced a new set of voluntary governance principles to guide BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) in safely adopting artificial intelligence. Issued in June under Memorandum No. M-2026-031, the framework helps institutions innovate and improve customer service while protecting consumers, managing risks, and maintaining trust in the financial system.

As digital lending gains ground in the Philippines, AI-powered lender Tala is urging the industry to put consumer protection on equal footing with credit access, warning that abusive collection practices by rogue operators could erode public confidence in financial technology.

The Government Service Insurance System has set aside ₱12.62 million in emergency loans for 485 qualified members and pensioners in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, which is under a state of calamity due to El Niño-driven dry conditions and water shortages. Eligible active members and old-age or disability pensioners may borrow up to ₱20,000, or up to ₱40,000 to settle existing emergency loans while keeping a net release of ₱20,000. Loans come with a 6 percent annual interest rate, 36-month repayment term, no processing fees, loan redemption insurance, and a two-month grace period for the first payment. Applications will be accepted via the GSIS Touch app until July 24, 2026.