“A vision of service from womb to tomb.” For the Ligas Kooperatiba ng Bayan sa Pagpapaunlad (LKBP), this is not just a mantra—it is a continuing promise realized for over 18,300 members and counting.
Founded in 1986 with a modest capital of only P15,800 pooled from its 30 founding members, LKBP dared to challenge the cycle of debt, driven by high-interest informal loans, offering an alternative financial solution to the community.
Fast forward 39 years and LKBP now boasts of P2.8 billion in assets and P367 million in share capital, becoming a cornerstone of financial empowerment in Bulacan and beyond.
“Being a billionaire cooperative is not just about what LKBP is worth. It also means that we have a greater responsibility to ensure all our 18,300 members are financially equipped and included, so they can improve their lives,” said LKBP Finance Manager Ms. Marilette A. Avendaño.
A Cooperative for the Community
Staying true to its commitment, LKBP has evolved beyond a financial institution—as an accessible lifeline for its members and the community.
It has established various essential services that directly benefit members at every stage of life, from education and healthcare to livelihood opportunities, and memorial care through a dedicated area at the Manila Memorial Park for its deceased members.
“Initially, our clinic was meant exclusively for our members, but we soon realized that the broader community also needed medical support. So, we opened our doors to non-members at affordable rates. Cooperatives should not only serve their members but should also uplift as many lives as possible in the community,” Avendaño added.
The cooperative has also played a significant role in generating employment. Through its diverse ventures—including a garments manufacturing business in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a fuel refilling station, and a hardware enterprise—the cooperative provides stable jobs to individuals, including those who lack formal education. Employees are not only given fair wages and benefits but are also treated with dignity and respect, embodying LKBP’s belief in shared prosperity.
Powered by LANDBANK
Determined to expand its operations and impact to the community, LKBP partnered with LANDBANK in 2000, beginning with deposit accounts and later growing into credit facilities to support LKBP’s own lending activities. This collaboration provided the cooperative with the financial muscle to meet the increasing demands of its members, including those engaged in poultry farming in the Baliwag and Pampanga areas.
“We started with a modest credit line with LANDBANK, which now stands at P1 billion. It’s a good problem to have because we know that anytime we need funds, we can rely on LANDBANK to support us,” Avendaño shared.
LANDBANK’s alignment with LKBP’s mission of financial inclusion has been instrumental in scaling the cooperative’s initiatives. With access to tailored financial solutions, LKBP has not only expanded its reach but has also improved its services for grassroots members.
“LANDBANK shares LKBP’s commitment to grassroots development. They have always provided financial solutions that cater to small-scale entrepreneurs and cooperatives, ensuring that even the most underserved members of the community have access to credit and banking services,” Avendaño said.
Inspiring other Cooperatives
As one of the most successful cooperatives in Region 3, LKBP’s has become a benchmark for other aspiring cooperatives. Through knowledge-sharing initiatives such as learning field trips, LKBP trains other cooperatives on strategies and best practices for sustainable growth and community impact.
In recognition of its outstanding contributions to cooperative excellence and service to the community, LKBP was recently awarded as the Outstanding Non-Agri-Based Cooperative in the Large Category under the Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad PITAK) during LANDBANK’s MERIT Awards.
“It is heartwarming to know that other emerging cooperatives look up to us. It assures us that our work is visible and impactful, and we are more than willing to share our knowledge with others,” Avendaño added.
From its humble beginnings to becoming a billion-peso cooperative, LKBP has demonstrated that financial growth and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive, but can go hand in hand. With strong support from LANDBANK, LKBP continues to redefine the standard for cooperative excellence in the Philippines by empowering individuals and uplifting communities.
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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LANDBANK shines with dual honors at PDS Awards
LANDBANK bags two awards at the Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Annual Awards Night in recognition of its contributions to advancing the Philippine capital market. (Right photo) Accepting the awards on behalf of LANDBANK are Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan (2nd from left) and Assistant Vice President Glenn R. Aguda (3rd from left), presented by PDS Group President Ramon S. Monzon (leftmost) and PDEx President and CEO Antonio A. Nakpil (rightmost). MAKATI CITY, Philippines—Highlighting its growing contribution to advancing the Philippine capital market, LANDBANK was honored as one of the top-performing institutions at the 2025 Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Annual Awards Night. The state-run bank clinched 3rd place in the Top 5 Corporate Issue Managers/Arrangers – Bank Category, in recognition of its vital role in facilitating the issuance of corporate fixed-income securities in 2024. The award honors institutions that led or arranged the largest volume of listed corporate securities offered during the year. The Bank also ranked 4th among the Top 5 Fixed-Income Brokering Participants, highlighting the Bank’s strong presence in the fixed-income market and significant contribution to overall trading volume by face amount. LANDBANK Senior Vice President Gonzalo Benjamin A. Bongolan and Assistant Vice President Glenn R. Aguda accepted the awards on behalf of the Bank on 4 April 2025 at the Makati Diamond Residences. Since 2005, the PDS Group, comprising the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, has been recognizing outstanding performance, leadership, innovation, and contributions to the capital market through its annual awards. These accolades underscore LANDBANK's strategic role in deepening the local capital markets, in line with its broader mission of supporting agriculture and other key development sectors in driving inclusive and sustainable development. 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 extends P1.3-B financing for Isabela Feed Mill Complex
ILAGAN CITY, ISABELA — LANDBANK has sealed a financing deal with Sagittarian Agricultural Philippines, Inc. (SAPI) to support the construction of the Isabela Feed Mill Complex, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the country’s agricultural sector. Under the partnership, LANDBANK will provide a P1.2 billion loan to partially fund the development of the 15-hectare feed mill facility in the country’s corn capital, plus an additional P100 million credit line to support SAPI’s working capital needs. Strategically located in this city to maximize Isabela’s abundant corn supply, the Feed Mill Complex will be leased to Charoen Pokphand Philippines Corporation (CPFPC), a leading food and agro-industrial company and a long-standing LANDBANK client. The project is expected to increase corn prices from P1.00 to P2.00 per kilogram, benefiting an estimated 97,734 small farmers across Isabela and neighboring provinces. “With this investment, LANDBANK reaffirms its commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector, empowering local farmers, and strengthening the country’s food security and support the agriculture value chain,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The loan and credit line signing ceremony was led by LANDBANK Northern Luzon Lending Group Head First Vice President Eduardo N. Reyes Jr. and Northern Isabela Lending Center Head Myra Myrtha M. Padolina, alongside SAPI President and CEO Jose Avelino C. Diaz and Corporate Secretary Atty. Danver Albert R. Arzaga. Also present as witnesses were City of Ilagan Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz, Vice Mayor Kyrill S. Bello, CPFPC Vice President Suchart Panparn, Assistant Vice President Darwin Lictawa, and LANDBANK Account Officer Honeylee B. Gomez. 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 sees surge in digital banking usage in 2024
The LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) powered the Bank’s digital surge in 2024, logging 106.82 million transactions or almost double the previous year’s total of 55.2 million. LANDBANK recorded a significant increase in digital banking transactions in 2024, driven by the growing shift of customers to online banking services and the Bank’s sustained investments in enhancing its digital platforms. The Bank facilitated a total of 162.28 million digital transactions, marking a 67% expansion from 97.08 million in 2023, with a total value of ₱3.38 trillion, up 38% from ₱2.45 trillion. “Digital banking is not just about convenience—it’s about inclusion. Through our digital banking channels, we are empowering every Filipino to take control of their finances. Our goal is to make safe, reliable, and convenient banking accessible to all, especially our farmers and fishers, business owners, OFWs, and government agencies,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) led the growth in the Bank’s total transaction volume, with a record 106.82 million transactions in 2024—nearly double the 55.2 million transactions recorded in the prior year. Through the MBA, users can perform a wide range of banking services, including fund transfers, bill payments, and investing in government securities. Among the App’s major enhancements last year was the straight-through account opening feature, which allows customers to open a digital account online via smartphones without visiting a branch. In terms of transaction value, the Bank’s corporate Internet banking platform, weAccess, recorded the highest volume at ₱1.36 trillion. This marks a 43% year-on-year growth from ₱952.14 billion in 2023. LANDBANK’s other major digital channels include iAccess, an online retail banking channel; Link.BizPortal, a web-based payment channel; Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS), a facility for institutional clients and national government partners; and LANDBANK Bulk Crediting System (LBCS), an electronic bulk disbursement facility. The LANDBANK MBA was named the “Most Innovative Banking Application” at the 12th Annual International Finance Awards 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Bank was likewise recently recognized as the “Best e-Banking Services Provider” and “Most Reliable Mobile Banking App Provider” at the World Business Outlook Awards 2025 by Singapore-based business magazine, World Business Outlook. Bringing banking closer to more Filipinos As part of its broader digital transformation agenda, LANDBANK continues to innovate how it brings banking services closer to more Filipinos—especially those in underserved and remote areas. LANDBANK began rolling out “phygital” branches in December 2024 that combine physical and digital services for a more streamlined, seamless, and delightful customer experience. These branches showcase a refreshed look, equipped with self-service machines, new queuing and tellering systems, meeting pods, and interactive zones. To further extend its reach, the Bank is ramping up its LANDBANKasama Program, which brings basic banking services to far-flung and underserved areas. By partnering with local cooperatives, associations, rural banks, LGUs, MSMEs, and private entities, the Bank empowers these community-based partners to serve as LANDBANKasama partners, providing services such as cash withdrawal, deposit, fund transfers, bills payment, and balance inquiry. LANDBANK is also pioneering cash-lite ecosystems in key areas, starting with the Province of Batanes. By promoting the use of digital payments and equipping local merchants, residents, students and LGUs with digital financial tools and skills, the initiative promotes the use of cashless transactions as a safer, faster, and more convenient way to manage daily financial needs—ultimately reducing reliance on physical cash and fostering a digitally inclusive local economy. With its digital strategy in full swing, LANDBANK remains committed to accelerating digital transformation and delivering enhanced customer experience across the country—anchored on its mandate to serve the agriculture sector, empower small farmers and fishers, and drive inclusive and sustainable national development for all Filipinos. 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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