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LANDBANK, PNP launch mobile branch in Quezon City
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is stepping-up its campaign on mobile banking as it inaugurates another LANDBANK Mobile Branch at the PNP Grandstand, Camp BGen. Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on July 23, 2021, in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP). Housed in a six-wheeler truck, the LANDBANK Mobile Branch functions as a pop-up branch to service communities across the country with disrupted or limited access to banking services. These include areas affected by calamities and other unexpected events. As part of its efforts to bring more unbanked Filipinos into the formal banking system in support of the National Government’s financial inclusion agenda, the LANDBANK Mobile Branch will also be deployed in unbanked and underserved communities. LANDBANK brought its new Mobile Branch to the PNP’s national headquarters for one whole day to cater exclusively to the banking needs of the country’s police officers and personnel. A total of 10 PNP officers and 100 PNP recruits opened their own LANDBANK ATM and payroll accounts, respectively. PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar and Executive Vice President Julio D. Climaco, Jr., head of LANDBANK’s Branch Banking Sector, led the blessing and inauguration of the LANDBANK Mobile Branch. Joining them from the PNP were Police Lieutenant Generals Joselito Manalad V. Cruz, Israel Ephraim T. Dickson, and Dionardo B. Carlos; Police Major General Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr; and Police Brigadier Generals Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. and Jason D. Ortizo. Also at hand were officials from LANDBANK led by Senior Vice President Ramon R. Monteloyola, head of the South National Capital Region Branches Group; Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca, head of the North National Capital Region Branches Group; and Assistant Vice President Atty. Rosemarie J. Romillo, head of the Camp Crame Branch. The LANDBANK Mobile Branch can facilitate banking services such as account opening and maintenance, deposit, withdrawal, encashment, debit or credit memo, online collection payment, enrollment in e-banking facilities, and ATM services. It is also designed to assist the National Government during retail and emergency disbursements or payouts, including cash subsidies distribution under the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other government agencies. The LANDBANK Mobile Branch unit in Camp Crame, Quezon City, is one (1) of two (2) mobile branches recently rolled-out by LANDBANK, following the very first launch held in San Fernando City, Pampanga last July 21, 2021. The Mobile Branch will be heading south next to Legazpi City, Albay on July 29, 2021. At present, LANDBANK has a total network of 411 branches and 66 branch-lite units, composed of branch-lites, Agri-Hubs, LEAFs, tellering booths, and FX booths across all 81 provinces in the country. This is complemented by 55 lending centers in strategic areas nationwide. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK rolls out first-ever mobile branch in Pampanga
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Taking banking mobility to the next level, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially inaugurates today, July 21, 2021, its first-ever mobile branch at the Heroes Hall along Lazatin Boulevard in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Housed in a six-wheeler truck, the LANDBANK Mobile Branch functions as a pop-up branch to service communities across the country with disrupted or limited access to banking services. These include areas affected by calamities and other unexpected events, as well as unbanked and underserved communities. As part of its efforts to bring more unbanked Filipinos into the formal banking system in support for the National Government’s financial inclusion agenda, the LANDBANK Mobile Branch can facilitate banking services such as account opening and maintenance, deposit, withdrawal, encashment, debit or credit memo, online collection payment, enrollment in e-banking facilities, and ATM services. City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin D. Santiago, Vice Mayor Jaime T. Lazatin and Executive Vice President Julio D. Climaco, Jr., head of LANDBANK’s Branch Banking Sector, led the blessing and inauguration of the LANDBANK Mobile Branch. Joining them were First Vice President Sylvia C. Lim, head of LANDBANK Central Luzon Branches Group, and Assistant Vice President Rogelio P. Samia, head of the LANDBANK San Fernando Branch. In addition to providing basic banking services, the LANDBANK Mobile Branch is also designed to assist the National Government during retail and emergency disbursements or payouts, including cash subsidies distribution under the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government agencies. During the launch event, the state-run Bank also distributed at least 600 LANDBANK Cash Cards to the first batch of City Social Welfare Development beneficiaries under the support programs of the City of San Fernando local government unit. The distribution of cash cards forms part of LANDBANK’s support to the City of San Fernando LGU in establishing efficient, safe and secure cash assistance disbursement to the City’s most vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities and local Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries. At present, LANDBANK has a total network of 411 branches and 66 branch-lite units, composed of branch-lites, Agri-Hubs, LEAFs, tellering booths, and FX booths across all 81 provinces in the country. This is complemented by 55 lending centers in strategic areas nationwide. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK lauded as among top taxpayers in Manila
On behalf of LANDBANK, North National Capital Region Branches Group Head Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca (2nd from right) receives the award as one of the “Top 10 Business Taxpayers for the Year 2020” from Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno (2nd from left), Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan (rightmost), and City Treasurer’s Office OIC Ms. Ma. Jazmin Talegon (leftmost) during the Outstanding Manilans Awarding Ceremonies on June 23, 2021, at the Metropolitan Theater. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila.) MANILA – State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) was awarded as one of the Top 10 Business Taxpayers for the Year 2020 by the City of Manila during the Outstanding Manilans Awarding Ceremonies held on June 23, 2021, during the 450th Founding Anniversary of the City of Manila. The award recognizes corporations and institutions in the City that have consistently fulfilled the timely payment of business taxes according to the local government code schedule. Out of the 10 awardees, LANDBANK was the only government institution to receive the award. “Katangi-tangi ang kanilang debosyon sa pagtupad ng kanilang obligasyon bilang mga indibidwal, korporasyon, o negosyante, sa kabila ng pandemya, at patuloy ang kanilang pagtupad sa kanilang pananagutan sa pamahalaan,” said Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno during his speech. LANDBANK North National Capital Region Branches Group Head Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca received the award on behalf of LANDBANK, which was conferred by Mayor Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, and City Treasurer’s Office OIC Ms. Ma. Jazmin Talegon. “We are committed to fulfill our obligation to the City of Manila through the timely payment of LANDBANK’s dues and taxes, even during this pandemic. Together with the City Government of Manila and other LGU partners, we continue to work towards accelerating the collective recovery of our economy and local communities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. The Outstanding Manilans Awarding Ceremonies, which was held at the newly renovated and historic Metropolitan Theater in Ermita, Manila, recognized outstanding individuals, government and private institutions in the City. A total of 50 awards were conferred during the ceremony, that included Posthumous Awards for medical frontliners who serviced during the pandemic, the Top 10 Real Property Taxpayers of 2020, and ‘Outstanding Manilan’ awards recognizing exemplary citizens in their respective fields. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK lends P1.89-B to OFWs for business ventures
As part of its continuing support to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has approved loans worth P1.89 billion for 1,297 borrowers under the OFW Reintegration Program (OFW-RP) since its launch on May 2011. Of this amount, P1.84 billion has been released as of end-May 2021. Jointly implemented with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the facility offers credit assistance to OFWs to pursue business opportunities as an alternative to overseas employment. The Bank has earmarked P1 billion for the said Program. LANDBANK said that loan applications under the OFW Program increased steadily since the COVID-19 outbreak, with total approved loans reaching P219 million for 176 borrowers from March 15, 2020 to May 31, 2021. “We understand the financial difficulties being faced by many OFWs due to the ongoing pandemic that has affected overseas deployments. Through the OFW Reintegration Program, LANDBANK is closely working with OWWA in supporting OFWs to acquire their own businesses as an alternative source of income,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Under the OFW-RP, eligible OFWs may avail of loans for working capital or acquisition of fixed assets at a minimum amount of P100,000 and up to P2 million for a single proprietor borrower, and P5 million for a group of OFW borrowers, with a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum. The short-term loans under the Program are payable up to one (1) year, while the tenor for term loans shall be based on cash flow but not to exceed seven (7) years, inclusive of a maximum two (2) years grace period on the principal. Aside from providing access to credit, LANDBANK has also been supporting OFWs by facilitating the efficient delivery of financial support under the social amelioration programs of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). As of May 28, 2021, LANDBANK has transferred a total of P3.06 billion to DOLE’s regional accounts for distribution to beneficiaries under the Department’s Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) for OFWs Program and the Tabang OFW Program. At the same time, the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) was launched on June 29, 2020, to provide a safe, convenient and responsive banking experience to OFWs and their beneficiaries. A wholly owned subsidiary of LANDBANK, the OFBank is officially the first branchless digital-only bank in the country after securing a digital banking license from the Monetary Board (MB) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on March 25, 2021. As of May 31, 2021, a total of 37,199 accounts were opened through the OFBank’s Digital On-Boarding System with Artificial Intelligence (DOBS-AI), which allows OFWs and Filipinos residing overseas to open a mobile banking deposit account online through their mobile devices. Interested borrowers for the OFW Reintegration Program may contact the nearest open LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch nationwide or call LANDBANK’s customer service at (02) 8-405-7000 or at PLDT Domestic Toll Free 1-800-10-405-7000. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK, Navotas City launch online e-business permit, licensing system
Business owners from Navotas City can now settle their permits and licenses faster, safer, and more convenient through the Link.BizPortal facility of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK). The City Government of Navotas partnered with the state-owned Bank to provide an alternative online payment facility for its Electronic Business Permits and Licensing System (eBPLS), which was launched on June 24, 2021 as part of Navotas City’s celebration of 14th cityhood anniversary. Navotas City Mayor Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco and Navotas City Congressman John Reynald M. Tiangco led the virtual launch event, joined by LANDBANK Branch Banking Sector Head, Executive Vice President Julio D. Climaco, Jr., and LANDBANK North NCR Branches Group Head, Senior Vice President Marilou L. Villafranca. Also present in the event were Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica, ARTA Technical Working Group (ARTA-TWG) Head Violeta M. Perez, and other local government officials. The integration of Link.BizPortal with Navotas City’s eBPLS forms part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Navotas City and LANDBANK on February 9, 2021. Under the agreement, the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal will allow the constituents of Navotas City to pay local government fees online. As a partner-merchant, Navotas City can access this Portal and track collections per day in real-time basis. “LANDBANK’s digital payment facilities such as the Link.BizPortal help LGUs in providing safe and secure online payment solutions for their constituents. We will continuously collaborate with more government partners as we push for greater financial digitalization under the new normal and beyond,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. The LANDBANK Link.BizPortal supports the National Government’s thrust to improve the ease of doing business and promotes good governance. It will help decongest foot traffic and long queues in the Navotas City Hall and promote transparency by eliminating face-to-face transactions, reducing opportunities for red-tape, corruption and other fraudulent practices. Meanwhile, LANDBANK continues to record a surge in the use of its digital and e-banking channels ever since mobility restrictions were implemented in March last year to help stem infections brought about by COVID-19. From January to May 2021, the Bank’s five major electronic channels—Mobile Banking App, weAccess, iAccess, Link.BizPortal, and Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS)—facilitated a total of 50.8 million transactions valued at P863.76 billion. These represent increases of 12% and 63% in volume of transactions and value, respectively, over the same period a year ago. Specifically, the LANDBANK Link.BizPortal recorded 1.58 million transactions amounting to P3.78 billion, equivalent to 127% and 156% growth rates, respectively. The Link.BizPortal is an electronic payment facility that allows individual and institutional clients to pay for products and services online of 789 enrolled partner-merchants nationwide as of end-May 2021. For more information about LANDBANK’s e-banking services, clients may visit the Bank’s official website (www.landbank.com), or follow the Bank’s official social media channels at @landbankofficial on Facebook and Instagram, @LBP_Official on Twitter, and @LANDBANK on Viber.
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LANDBANK joins DA’s national info caravan for farmers, fishers
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) highlighted its continued support to the agriculture sector at the first-ever National Information Caravan on Agri-Fishery Credit Programs on June 24, 2021, held in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC). Coinciding with the DA’s 123rd anniversary celebration, the virtual Caravan, streamed live via the social media channels of DA and LANDBANK, forms part of collective efforts to increase the general public’s awareness, appreciation, and availment of agri-fishery credit programs being offered by the government. “LANDBANK remains one with the Department of Agriculture and other government partners in serving the requirements of farmers and fisherfolk nationwide to increase their productivity and income. We are committed to delivering accessible and responsive financial services toward revitalizing our local economy and ensuring food security,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. As of May 31, 2021, LANDBANK has assisted cumulatively 2,734,572 farmers and fishers nationwide, of which 991,577 were supported through loan and cash grant releases amounting to P13.39 billion under programs administered for the DA. Of the total disbursements, P5.10 billion was released under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) that benefitted 40,556 farmers and fishers. The program provides necessary credit for increased productivity through the purchase of farm inputs and equipment, as well as agri-based production and post-production processing machineries and facilities. Another P1.05 billion in cumulative loans have reached 32,000 farmers and fishers under the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ERCA-RCEF). The loan window supports rice farmers in 38 rice-producing provinces at affordable interest rates, with minimum documentary requirements. Together with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), LANDBANK also implements the Socialized Credit Program under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SCP-SIDA), which has extended P400 million to 6,156 farmers in support of the development of the country’s sugar industry. The state-run Bank has also released a total of P2.52 billion in loans to 165,963 small rice farmers through the Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE Aid) Lending Program, providing an immediate credit assistance of P15,000 per borrower with zero interest and no collateral to rice farmers who are tilling one (1) hectare of land and below. In partnership with the DA-ACPC, LANDBANK has also assisted 13,884 small farmers and fishers under the SURE Aid COVID-19 Program which provided emergency loans of close to P350 million to those economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the DA’s Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program, around 258,919 farmers were provided cash assistance amounting to P1.29 billion. The RFFA is a P3-billion unconditional cash transfer program which aims to give P5,000 financial assistance each to rice farmers who are tilling 0.5 and 2 hectares of land. Also under the DA’s Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) Program, LANDBANK released a total of P2.68 billion in cash grants to 536,119 farmer-beneficiaries, 62,020 of whom are also SURE Aid beneficiaries. The program supports small rice farmers tiling one (1) hectare or less who are not covered under the RFFA Program, and are provided P5,000 cash subsidy to augment production needs. The Bank has also doubled the available funds under the LANDBANK SWINE (Special Window and Interim Support to Nurture Hog Enterprises) from P15 billion to P30 billion. The lending program being implemented with DA for commercial hog raisers, is designed to finance stock repopulation and feed milling operations of stakeholders struggling with the adverse impact of the African Swine Fever (ASF). For more information about LANDBANK’s lending programs, and other products and services, clients may visit the Bank’s official website (www.landbank.com), or follow the Bank’s official social media channels at @landbankofficial on Facebook and Instagram, @LBP_Official on Twitter, and @LANDBANK on Viber.
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LANDBANK joins drive against hunger and poverty in Quezon Province
LANDBANK Quezon Lending Center Head, Assistant Vice President Joel S. Babaan (standing, 2nd from right) and regional officials from various government agencies sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to fight hunger and poverty in Quezon Province last May 21, 2021. LUCENA CITY, Quezon – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with various participating provincial government agencies for the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) initiative for Quezon Province on May 21, 2021. The MOU was signed in support of the EPAHP’s objectives of mitigating hunger, ensuring food and nutrition security, and reducing poverty in urban and rural communities, including the marginalized sector. Through the LANDBANK Quezon Lending Center, the state-run Bank joined the Provincial Government of Quezon and partner agencies in the province composed of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the program. “Under the whole-of-government approach, LANDBANK remains one with government partners in the ongoing fight against hunger and poverty. We will continue to provide responsive and accessible financing directed at community-building and countryside development," LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said. The EPAHP is a collaborative program of the national government which aims to contribute to addressing hunger and poverty in the country by converging relevant programs of partner agencies to maximize results for the benefit of the poor and marginalized. Under the MOU, LANDBANK will extend credit support to eligible community-based organizations for food production, processing, and marketing, consistent with its mandate to spur inclusive growth and sustainable development in rural communities and marginalized areas. The MOU signing was led by Quezon Governor Danilo E. Suarez, alongside representatives of local EPAHP-participating agencies, which included DA Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Rolando P. Cuasay, DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Celestina M. Santayana, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent OIC Elias A. Alicaya, Jr., DTI OIC Provincial Director Julieta L. Tadiosa, NIA Division Manager Engr. Fidel P. Martinez, and LANDBANK Quezon Lending Center Head, Assistant Vice President Joel S. Babaan. Under the EPAHP, efforts toward community-driven development approaches in agro-enterprise, and other livelihood programs and food security programs, aims to enhance the prospects for poverty reduction and hunger elimination in urban and rural areas. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), and join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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OFBank now serves clients from 113 countries, territories
The Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) marked its first successful year as a branchless digital-only bank last June 29 by onboarding clients from a total of 113 countries and territories as of May 31, 2021. These include the top 10 destinations for the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), namely Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, Kuwait, Taiwan, Italy, Bahrain, and Malaysia. OFBank’s cash inflow also reached P1.51 billion, composed of P849.9 million and P657 million in domestic and remittance inflows, respectively. Total outflows from withdrawals via over-the-counter (OTC), automated teller machines (ATMs) and electronic banking amounted to P1.25 billion, yielding the Bank an outstanding balance of P256.3 million as of end-May 2021. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), the OFBank also officially became the very first digital bank in the Philippines after securing a digital banking license from the Monetary Board (MB) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on March 25, 2021. “The transformation of OFBank as a branchless digital-only bank has allowed it to serve the diverse requirements of overseas Filipinos abroad and their families back home, providing them a convenient, reliable, and secure banking experience,” said OFBank Chair and LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. As a digital-only facility, the OFBank utilizes the Digital Onboarding System with Artificial Intelligence (DOBSAI) which allows OFWs and other Filipinos overseas and their beneficiaries to open a mobile banking deposit account online through supported mobile devices. Digital services available to OFBank account holders include fund transfers, bill payments, and government bond purchases. During the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) Premyo Bonds 2 offering from November to December 2020, a total of 3,517 transactions amounting to P40.7 million were transacted through the bond purchase feature of the OFBank’s Mobile Banking App (MBA). A total of 380 transactions worth P8.3 million were also coursed through the Bank’s mobile app for the BTR’s 25th Tranche of the Retail Treasury Bonds or RTB-25 issuance from February to March 2021. As part of its financial literacy campaign, OFBank conducted 156 webinars and 336 pre-departure orientations for overseas and departing Filipinos between June 2020 and May 2021 to promote its products and services, and discuss the importance of saving, budgeting and investing, among others. The seminars were facilitated in close coordination with the LANDBANK’s Overseas Remittance Group (LBP-ORG), Philippine embassies and consulates, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). “OFBank has become a trailblazer in the country’s banking industry with its innovative products and services. We strive to continuously upgrade our operations, systems, and processes to deliver accessible and responsive banking solutions for Filipinos worldwide,” said OFBank President and CEO Leila C. Martin. OFBank is on track to enhance its mobile banking app with the inclusion of more payment merchants and the addition of a card-less withdrawal feature, among other enhancements. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official OFBank Facebook Page (@OFBank), or visit the OFBank website (www.ofbank.com.ph).
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Combined LANDBANK-UCPB assets to reach P3 trillion
The completion of the government-approved merger of Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) will result in combined assets totaling close to ₱3 trillion by the end of the year. As the surviving entity in this merger, LANDBANK will further solidify its place as the second-largest bank in the country in terms of assets, representing a unified, stronger and more resilient institution for promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development. “The merged assets will significantly grow LANDBANK’s loan portfolio directed at servicing the whole agriculture sector, especially coconut farmers, alongside key development industries. The synergy created by the merger will provide a much better position for us to respond to the evolving needs of our diverse clientele, especially the underserved and unbanked,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Pending the approval of relevant regulatory authorities, LANDBANK expects its acquisition of the shares of stock of UCPB and attendant absorption of its assets and liabilities will similarly expand deposits, loans and capital. Due diligence was likewise conducted by LANDBANK and the transaction went through the review and approval by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Monetary Board. Based on LANDBANK’s initial projections, the combined Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio by end-2021 will remain higher than the 11% regulatory requirement of the BSP. Borromeo also emphasized that “LANDBANK is more than capable of absorbing the financial impact of the merger with UCPB. Our ratios will remain comfortably above the standards set by the BSP.” LANDBANK is requesting for regulatory incentives being granted by BSP to banks for mergers and consolidation. “These relief measures will provide the bank the flexibility to manage its capital, achieve operational efficiency, and minimize the expected impact of absorbing UCPB,” Borromeo said. To encourage consolidation and mergers among banks, the BSP grants regulatory incentives under Memorandum No. M-2016-023 dated 21 December 2016. Fueled by the 16.21% increase in deposits which reached P2.123 trillion as of end of the first quarter of 2021, total assets of LANDBANK grew to P2.405 trillion. LANDBANK ranks number 2 among domestic universal banks in terms of asset size. As provided in Executive Order No. 142 signed on June 25, 2021, President Duterte ordered the LANDBANK and UCPB to enter into a merger applicable to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and recognized by regulatory agencies. A Technical Working Group (TWG) will be formed Pursuant to Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) Memorandum Circular No. 2015-03. The group will be composed of the President and CEO of LANDBANK, the Officer-In-Charge of UCPB, and the duly-designated representatives of the GCG, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Commission on Audit (COA). The TWG is tasked to formulate an integration plan and to resolve all matters involving the implementation of the merger. Meanwhile, clients of both LANDBANK and UCPB are being assured that banking services will continue to be unhampered throughout the ongoing merger process, with deposits to remain intact and secured in their current servicing branches. At the same time, both banks assure its employees that all concerns pertaining to personnel matters will be addressed accordingly, and that all actions on human resources will comply with relevant labor rules and regulations. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), and join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK-UCPB merger: a win-win for coconut farmers and other agri workers
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has asserted that its upcoming merger with the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) will strengthen government efforts to build a stronger, unified banking institution capable of serving coconut farmers and other workers in the agricultural sector. LANDBANK President-CEO Cecilia Borromeo said that the merger will promote unprecedented rural development, in keeping with President Duterte’s goal of expanding financial inclusion among Filipinos, especially those in the countryside who belong to the underserved and unbanked sectors. Borromeo, a former scholar of the Philippine Coconut Producers Federation, Inc. (COCOFED), said coconut farmers will be able to take advantage of the established expertise of LANDBANK in lending to the agriculture and agribusiness sectors. “LANDBANK’s track record of being consistently compliant with the Agri Agra Law shows our commitment to perform our mandate, to empower not only the farmers but all workers in the agriculture sector,” she said. Republic Act No. 10000, or the Agri Agra Law, mandates banks to allot 15 percent of their total lending portfolio for agriculture loans and 10 percent of its total loanable funds to agrarian reform beneficiaries. As of December 2020, LANDBANK’s agriculture loans reached 76.95 percent of its total loan portfolio, significantly above the minimum requirement of 15 percent. Agrarian reform lending, meanwhile, hit 11.52 percent during the same period, also above the 10 percent required under the Agri Agra law. LANDBANK’s agriculture lending has been consistently growing from PHP 222.05 billion in 2018, to PHP 236.31 billion in 2019, and PHP 237.62 billion in 2020. As of end-May 2021, LANDBANK’s loans to agriculture reached PHP 230.02 billion, an increase of PHP 73 million net from the PHP 229.29 billion level in April 2021. The number of farmers and fishers assisted by LANDBANK reached 2,734,572 as of May 2021, an increase of 31,323 from 2,703,249 in April 2021. “With the merged resources of LANDBANK and UCPB, we can bring closer to the farmers our services, as we are able to tap a combined total of 722 branches and servicing units, including those in the provinces,” Borromeo said. She added that the proposed merger “will also be beneficial to existing UCPB clients because they can access the bigger branch and ATM (automated teller machine) network of LANDBANK and will be able to avail of a wider range of products and services such as the LANDBANK digital banking service.” LANDBANK’s management expertise is also expected to provide support to UCPB, thus protecting the interest of coconut farmers in the would-be merged banks. "Our goal is to ensure that we are able to efficiently manage and protect government resources in these banks for the ultimate benefit of the Filipino people. With the merger, we will be in a better position to grow our loan portfolio in order to meet the needs of the people, especially the unbanked and underserved Filipinos," Borromeo said. “The merger will also mean better financial services for UCPB clients, especially those who are in the farm sector. For the clients of both banks, the merger will mean they can now rely on a stronger and better capitalized institution with solid government support,” she added. On the part of the UCPB, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Liduvino Geron said, “The merger enables UCPB and its clients to benefit from the strength, stability, scale and reach of LANDBANK. This also allows us to pursue our original mandate to serve coconut farmers nationwide while providing a wider range of products and services to our clients composed of individuals, private and government institutions, middle-market companies, and small enterprises nationwide.” Under Executive Order No. 142, President Duterte ordered the LANDBANK and UCPB to enter into a merger applicable to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and recognized by regulatory agencies. LANDBANK, which is the biggest public sector bank in the country, will be the surviving entity under the merger. Once the merger is concluded, LANDBANK will remain as the industry’s second biggest bank in terms of assets and deposits.
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LANDBANK further hikes support fund to P50-B for COVID-affected businesses
State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has raised to P50 billion the available loanable fund for local businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate more borrowers. This is the second budget hike made for the LANDBANK I-RESCUE (Interim REhabilitation Support to Cushion Unfavorably affected Enterprises by COVID-19) Lending Program since its launch in April 2020. With an initial fund of P10 billion, the Bank later doubled this to P20 billion in April 2021. The LANDBANK I-RESCUE Lending Program provides credit and loan restructuring assistance to businesses whose operations have been severely affected by the pandemic, through more flexible loan terms and conditions. “Since its launch at the height of the pandemic last year, the I-RESCUE Lending Program has gained wide acceptance from borrowers striving to keep their businesses afloat amid the ongoing crisis. Rest assured that LANDBANK will continue to provide responsive credit assistance to support key sectors and contribute to accelerate the country’s ongoing economic recovery,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. As of May 31, 2021, LANDBANK has approved loans totaling P20.95 billion to a total of 460 borrowers, comprised of 310 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 83 cooperatives, 62 large corporations, and five (5) microfinance institutions (MFIs). Of this amount, 93% or P19.53 billion has already been released. Under the I-RESCUE Lending Program, eligible borrowers may loan up to 85% of their emergency or permanent working capital requirements, with an affordable interest rate of 5% per annum for three (3) years, subject to annual re-pricing thereafter, and payable up to 10 years with a maximum of two (2) years grace period on the principal repayment. The Program also offers a sub-credit facility for MSMEs and cooperatives, as well as self-employed individuals duly registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), classified to be critically affected by the ongoing pandemic. Qualified borrowers may borrow a minimum amount of P100,000 or up to 85% of the actual permanent working capital requirement but not exceeding P3 million, at a lower fixed interest rate of 3% per annum, with no hard collateral requirement, and payable for up to three (3) years. For existing LANDBANK clients, the Program provides loan restructuring assistance via additional loan and extended repayment period, or a combination of means to rehabilitate and restore operational cash flow. The LANDBANK I-RESCUE Lending Program is available until December 31, 2022. Interested borrowers may contact the nearest open LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch nationwide or call LANDBANK’s customer service hotline at (02) 8-405-7000 or at PLDT Domestic Toll Free 1-800-10-405-7000. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), and join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
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LANDBANK Malolos Highway Branch moves to bigger site
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) Malolos Highway Branch recently moved to a three-storey building along McArthur Highway in Brgy. Dakila, Malolos City, Bulacan to provide better banking services to increasing clients in the area. Strategically located within the city’s commercial area, the new site provides a bigger interior and comfortable space, with more parking slots, and can safely accommodate up to 30 clients inside the Branch at a time, ensuring physical distancing of approximately two (2) meters apart. The soft opening of the LANDBANK Malolos Highway Branch on April 19, 2021, was led by LANDBANK officials, namely, Central Luzon Branches Group Head, First Vice President Sylvia C. Lim; Bulacan Lending Center Head, Assistant Vice President Ranilo B. Jimenez; and Malolos Highway Branch Head, Assistant Vice President Paulino S. Tiongson, Jr.
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