The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) welcomes the latest report of global credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings, Inc., which upgraded its outlook on the Bank to “stable,” alongside improved confidence in the country’s return to strong medium-term growth following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report published on 30 May 2023, which also affirmed the Bank’s Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB' and Government Support Rating (GSR) at 'bbb', considered LANDBANK’s “strategic and growing policy roles, 100% state ownership as well as its systemic importance as the largest state-owned bank in the country, with market share of about 14% of system assets.”
The ratings agency likewise gave consideration to the “state’s improving ability to support the bank, in times of need, as reflected in the revision of the sovereign rating Outlook to stable,” which was detailed in a separate report the agency published on 22 May 2023.
“The improved outlook from Fitch is a welcome vote of confidence for the Bank’s robust financial stability and resilience to withstand external and domestic economic headwinds. With solid state backing, we will intensify our support to the country’s priority programs and initiatives, towards expediting our complete resurgence from the global pandemic,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz.
Led by solid governance and leadership, the Bank has continued to build its strong financial muscle to support key development sectors.
It ranks second in the industry in terms of assets at P3.1 trillion and deposits at P2.8 trillion as of the first quarter of 2023, with financial ratios maintained at healthy levels. It recorded net income of P10.8 billion in the same period.
The Bank’s capital likewise expanded year-on-year by 3.2% to P225.3 billion, as the Bank expressed confidence that it will reach its projected growth targets by yearend.
LANDBANK is the only State-run Bank that has continued to ramp-up its digitalization drive geared towards providing safe, accessible and convenient banking service to meet the growing needs of customers, with a 30% growth in value of transactions amounting to P735.95 billion for its major digital banking platforms in the first quarter of 2023 alone.
The Bank has maintained its dominance as the biggest development partner of the Local Government Units (LGU) sector towards local development, with all 1,717 LGUs nationwide maintaining deposit accounts with the state-run Bank.
It is the only bank present in all 82 provinces of the country, providing accessible products and services, including to underserved and remote communities.
LANDBANK remains as the country’s biggest Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC) and the largest credit provider to the agriculture sector, among other key economic sectors, with the financial capacity and resources to fully support the National Government’s sustainable and inclusive development agenda.
A united front for agriculture: LANDBANK, Partners launch AGRISENSO Plus to boost agri value chain
LANDBANK, alongside government and public sector partners, launch the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program which targets 10,000 small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries to benefit from accessible credit assistance and capacity-building support to help improve productivity, enhance income, and advance sustainable growth. CANDABA, Pampanga – LANDBANK, in collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and other government and private partners, is strengthening its support for the agriculture sector through the launch of the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program on 22 November 2024 at the Candaba Action Center in Brgy. Mandasig. The AGRISENSO Plus Program, an enhanced version of LANDANK’s existing initiative, is designed to deliver a full suite of support—featuring expanded eligibility, lower interest rates, and simplified loan process to provide broader access to credit and other support interventions for small farmers, fishers, and agribusinesses, and other players in the agriculture value chain.AGRISENSO Plus targets 10,000 small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to benefit from accessible credit assistance and capacity-building support to help improve productivity, enhance income, and advance sustainable growth. "AGRISENSO Plus reflects LANDBANK's commitment to providing holistic and meaningful support to the entire agriculture sector. Through strategic collaborations with public and private partners, we are complementing accessible credit with insurance benefits, capacity-building and other interventions to boost productivity, enhance income, drive sustainable growth, and contribute to national food security," said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The AGRISENSO Plus Program launch brought together key government partners, including Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Lorenzo “Larry” G. Gadon, DA Undersecretary Asis G. Perez, DAR OIC-Director III Sieramon A. Lacambra, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Deputy Executive Director Cristina G. Lopez, and local government officials of the Province of Pampanga. AGREA Agricultural Communities International Foundation, Inc. (AGREA) President and CEO Cherrie D. Atilano also attended as partner to provide capacity-building interventions to borrowers, together with LANDBANK Countryside Development Foundation Inc. (LCDFI). Private sector partners likewise joined the launch such as SariSuki, an online community platform that connects small farmers directly to consumers for fresh produce; KITA Agritech, which provides technological solutions to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency; and TAO Foods, a company focused on sustainable food production and processing. The enhanced LANDBANK AGRISENSO Plus Program widens its scope to cover a broader range of beneficiaries, including small fishers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the agricultural value chain. Eligible borrowers also include agriculture graduates, who will now be eligible to access the Program within three years after graduation, nurturing the next generation of agri-entrepreneurs. Beyond financing, AGRISENSO Plus also provides small farmers and fishers and ARB borrowers with free life insurance and credit life insurance. Program borrowers are also qualified for training and capacity-building programs to enhance agricultural practices and business management skills, supporting more sustainable and resilient agribusinesses. LANDBANK has simplified the AGRISENSO Plus application process by reducing documentary requirements. Purchase Orders are no longer required for individual farmers, and endorsements from Irrigators’ Associations are no longer needed for farmers in irrigated areas. Meanwhile, ARBs who are also rice farmers now have the option to use endorsements from either the DAR or the NIA. The AGRISENSO Plus offers a fixed affordable interest rate of 4.0% per annum for small farmers, fishers, and ARBs, while other borrowers benefit from a competitive rate of 6.5%-7.5% per annum. Large enterprises and anchor firms lending to their partner small farmers and fishers and their cooperatives and associations, and ARBs and Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), also gain a concessional interest rate with a 0.5% discount, fostering collaborative growth across the agriculture value chain. Existing AGRISENSO borrowers with approved credit lines will automatically transition to AGRISENSO Plus upon their next loan availment, allowing them to benefit from the program’s enhanced features. Interested borrowers can apply for the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program at any LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch, or by contacting LANDBANK’s Customer Service Hotline at 028405700. Through the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, LANDBANK remains a steadfast partner in agricultural and rural development, helping to drive economic growth and food security for the nation. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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LANDBANK delivers P14-M aid to 130 LGUs hit by Kristine
LANDBANK is extending a total of P14 million in financial assistance to various local government units (LGUs) impacted by tropical storm Kristine, as part of ongoing initiatives to fast-track local recovery and rehabilitation. The cash donation will support 130 LGUs across Luzon and Visayas, where communities face extensive damage from the recent tropical cyclone. “This funding provides critical support for our LGU partners to augment their Calamity Funds and sustain vital services for evacuees. As recovery timelines remain uncertain, LANDBANK is committed to helping LGUs respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of their communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The P14 million LANDBANK donation is in addition to the P1.1-billion assistance extended by the government to affected families, as announced by Presidential Communications Office (PCO). LANDBANK is likewise offering immediate financial assistance to affected businesses and sectors through the LANDBANK CARES Plus (Community Assistance and REintegration Support Plus) Lending Program to rebuild, restore operations, and recover from disaster-related losses. Eligible borrowers include micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, large corporations, and electric distribution utilities. The state-run Bank’s Electronic Salary Loan (eSL) also offers quick funds for government and corporate employees with LANDBANK payroll services, with a waived servicing fee for applications until December 31, 2024. Existing eSL borrowers may also apply for early renewal if they have completed at least one month of paid amortization. Meanwhile, the Bank is also offering the “EasyCash for Emergencies” feature for LANDBANK credit cardholders to convert available credit limits into emergency cash, repayable up to 36 months. Eligible customers will receive a notification for activation, or they may request cash conversion directly. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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From ‘Ad Man’ to ‘Mushroom Man’: Farmer cultivates success with LANDBANK’s support
Roderick Capalongan left his career in advertising in 2014 to venture into mushroom farming, and is now a leading supplier of mushrooms in his home town of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, including Manila, Isabela, Cagayan Valley, Tarlac, and Pampanga. SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Roderick Capalongan built a dynamic career in advertising, mastering project management, below-the-line communications, and complex campaign operations. But what started as a side hustle soon turned into his true passion—mushroom farming. Inspired by a fellow farming enthusiast, Roderick initially ventured into mushroom production to generate extra income for his family. However, what began as a small project soon became his full-time calling. In 2014, he left advertising behind to grow mushrooms on a 2-hectare farmland he inherited from his grandfather. Roderick named his own farm “Mushroom Man” and used recycled agricultural waste, such as rice straw, as substrate to grow oyster mushrooms. As demand grew, so did Roderick’s desire to scale up the business. In 2016, he found a reliable partner in Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) which stepped in with an initial loan of P300,000.00, giving Roderick the boost he needed to expand his operations. “Salamat sa LANDBANK dahil palagi silang handang sumuporta sa akin at sa projects ko. Sa tulong nila, nakapagpatayo ako ng facilities at nakapag-expand ng farm ko,” said Roderick. Over the years, LANDBANK has extended a total of P6.25 million to support Roderick’s mushroom production, which covered the purchase of equipment and the construction of mushroom housing, and even the expansion to tilapia and catfish production. The Mushroom Man currently delivers fresh produce daily to market outlets in Nueva Vizcaya and Manila, as well as in the provinces of Isabela, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite and Cagayan Valley. Innovation meets sustainability Roderick adopted an integrated farming business model that combines mushroom production with tilapia fish farming to minimize farm waste, reduce operational costs, and promote resource efficiency. One of his sustainable farm methods involve recycling mushroom spent—a byproduct of his mushroom production—to cultivate duckweeds as an alternative to artificial commercial fish feeds. This recycling practice reduced the cost of his tilapia production by half and significantly increased his profits. “Sa panahon ngayon, tumataas na ang presyo ng farm inputs, tulad ng tilapia feeds. Kaya kailangan maging resourceful para gumanda ang kita,” said Roderick. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Roderick also expanded his product line to include processed mushroom products, which include siomai, crispy mushroom, mushroom spread, and chili paste, alongside organic fertilizers. Roderick adopted an integrated farming business model that combines mushroom production with tilapia fish farming, wherein he uses discarded mushroom spent to produce duckweeds which serves as a natural alternative to fish feeds. A trailblazer in mushroom and integrated farming In recognition of his innovative practices and contributions to the local mushroom industry, LANDBANK conferred to Roderick the “Ulirang Magsasaka – Special Award for Integrated Farming” at the Bank’s Models of Excellence Recognition Initiative for Top Bank Clients (MERIT) Awards. Roderick and his wife, Sheila Capalongan, receive the special citation for integrated farming during the LANDBANK MERIT Awards in Malate, Manila. Roderick and his wife, Sheila Capalongan, receive the special citation for integrated farming during the LANDBANK MERIT Awards in Malate, Manila. The MERIT Awards celebrated the Bank’s top development partners in the delivery of essential financial and support services in local communities nationwide. Roderick’s farm has become the model mushroom farm in Nueva Vizcaya, attracting local and foreign visitors, including students, cooperatives and associations, to learn from his expertise about mushroom and integrated farming. National agencies like Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and state universities also work closely with the farm to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance agricultural education. Looking ahead, Roderick plans to build a farm school to train aspiring agri-entrepreneurs in mushroom production and elevate Nueva Vizcaya as a hub for oyster mushroom production. He likewise plans to train abroad to refine his skills and learn best global practices to help boost the local industry. “We are planning to train sa ibang bansa para mag-uwi ng advanced technology at matuto ng modern practices for mushroom production. Naniniwala ako na kaya natin magkaroon ng globally competitive mushroom industry,” said Roderick. A Journey from Campaigns to Cultivation Roderick Capalongan’s journey from the advertising world to agriculture is a testament to his adaptability to embrace change and passion to pursue his calling. With LANDBANK as his trusted partner, he continues to thrive—proving that success grows where passion and innovation meet. Through partnerships like these, LANDBANK is empowering farmers and Filipinos nationwide for a better future. About LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the Philippines with the largest portfolio in support of agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. Promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development, the Bank is present in all 82 provinces in the county and is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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