(left photo) Barili Mayor Julieto N. Flores (4th from left) and LANDBANK East Visayas Branches Group Senior Vice President Khurshid U. Kalabud (1st from left) lead the inauguration rites for the new LANDBANK Barili Branch in Barili Cebu, while (right photo) Basilan Governor Jim H. Salliman (4th from left), Lamitan Mayor Rosita U. Furigay (3rd from left), Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick H. Furigay (2nd from left), and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Vice President Lina K. Pacio (5th from left) inaugurate the new LANDBANK Lamitan Branch in Lamitan City, Basilan.
The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) officially inaugurated two (2) new branches on the same day last November 27, 2020—one in the Municipality of Barili in the Province of Cebu, and another in the City of Lamitan in the Province of Basilan.
The state-run Bank now has a total of 414 branches and extension offices across all 81 provinces nationwide, further extending its reach to serve more unbanked and underserved areas.
“We hope that LANDBANK’s continuous expansion in Barili and Lamitan City will provide additional touchpoints for our priority clients, especially our farmers and fishers, while helping draw more investors, create businesses, and generate more local employment. Rest assured of our strong commitment to collaborate and support development programs that will accelerate economic activities and rehabilitation efforts in these localities,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
LANDBANK is the first and only universal Bank in the 2nd class municipality of Barili serving a total of 42 barangays, including the neighboring municipalities of Dumanjug and Aloguinsan. This is LANDBANK’s 20th branch in the Province of Cebu, complemented by 99 ATMs.
The Barili Branch is also expected to serve over 13,200 farmers and fishers in the area, as well as more than 12,400 beneficiaries under the Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfer (CCT/UCT) Programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Barili Mayor Julieto N. Flores and LANDBANK East Visayas Branches Group Senior Vice President Khurshid U. Kalabud led the Barili Branch inauguration rites. They were joined by Barili Vice Mayor Lusito L. Ponsica, Chief of Police PCPT Romeo Caacoy, Jr., and Barili Municipal Councilors Ranuldo Bolo and Ana Maria Ewican.
"Thank you very much LANDBANK that of all the Municipalities, you opened a nice branch here in Barili with a state-of-the-art building. We assure you that our 42 Barangays will open an account with LANDBANK. I am also happy that you practice localization, hiring personnel coming from the Municipality of Barili," said Mayor Flores.
Meanwhile, the LANDBANK Lamitan Branch will facilitate efficient, safe, and secure banking transactions for Lamiteños, that will also service the banking needs of the municipalities of Tuburan, Akbar, Al-Barka, Tipo-tipo, Sumisip, Ungkaya Pukan, Tabuan Lasa, and Hadji Mohammad Ajul.
The inauguration of the Lamitan Branch was led by Basilan Governor Jim H. Salliman, Lamitan Mayor Rosita U. Furigay, Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick H. Furigay, and LANDBANK West Mindanao Branches Group Vice President Lina K. Pacio. They were joined by LANDBANK officials, namely Zamboanga City Lending Center Head Vinicius S. Hamoy, Basilan Branch Head Christopher T. Ceniza, and Lamitan Branch Head Analyn S. Ramirez.
“Being affected by the pandemic, it is very reassuring to know that we have a partner who can truly help us. So, for this branch, we hope for significant growth and development that will further our already brightened economy. On behalf of the City Government of Lamitan, I would like to thank LANDBANK for all the support and we hope to have a long and fulfilling partnership ahead,” said Mayor Furigay.
The Lamitan Branch will complement the operations of Basilan Branch in Isabela City, alongside eight (8) ATMs spread across the province.
For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).
Boosting leasing and financial services: LLFC-ULFC merger complete with SEC approval
Following the merger of LANDBANK and UCPB in 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently approved the merger of LBP Leasing and Finance Corporation (LLFC) and UCPB Leasing and Finance Corporation (ULFC). LANDBANK President Lynette V. Ortiz (6th from left), LLFC President and CEO Michael P. Arañas (5th from left), and ULFC OIC Kristine Marie G. Cuevas (center), lead the turnover ceremony on 28 March 2025 at LANDBANK Plaza in Manila. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the documents governing the merger between LANDBANK subsidiaries—LANDBANK Leasing and Finance Corporation (LLFC) and UCPB Leasing and Finance Corporation (ULFC) on February 27, 2025—officially completing the consolidation, with LLFC as the sole surviving entity. The operational turnover and transition activities immediately followed the SEC approval. The integration is in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 65 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on 6 August 2024, which authorized the merger, as it eliminates unnecessary overlap in mandates and functions. The merger follows the 2022 integration of the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) into LANDBANK, which brought ULFC under LANDBANK’s umbrella. "This merger is a strategic step towards strengthening our leasing and finance operations, ensuring greater efficiency and financial capability to support key sectors. By consolidating LLFC and ULFC into a single entity, we are optimizing resources, expanding market reach, and bolstering our contribution to the government's inclusive growth agenda," said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The consolidation aligns with the government's broader effort of strengthening state-owned financial institutions by enhancing their capital base and operational efficiency. It positions LLFC to scale up support for agriculture, infrastructure development, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), aligning with LANDBANK’s mission of advancing inclusive and sustainable growth. LANDBANK assures all clients of LLFC and ULFC that the merger process was designed for a smooth and orderly transition, ensuring uninterrupted customer service. With this merger, LANDBANK expands its financial services and reinforces its role in driving national economic 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.
LEARN MORE
LANDBANK unveils upgraded Optisaver Plus with free insurance
LANDBANK is raising the bar for savings accounts with the launch of OptiSaver Plus — an upgraded version of its high-interest OptiSaver account—designed to help Filipinos grow their funds while enjoying free insurance coverage for greater financial security. With tiered interest rates of up to 4% per annum, the LANDBANK OptiSaver Plus account provides depositors with free insurance coverage based on their Average Daily Balance (ADB). Optisaver Plus account holders receive life insurance coverage which scales with account balance tiers, rewarding higher savings with greater financial protection. Meanwhile, personal accident insurance offers additional coverage against accidents resulting in injury or loss, ensuring a safety net for depositors and their families. Maintaining a minimum ADB of ₱50,000 qualifies depositors for either free life insurance or free personal accident insurance, while those in the highest balance tier of ₱20 million and above receive both coverages. “With the LANDBANK OptiSaver Plus, we are empowering our clients to achieve financial growth while securing their future. By combining the benefits of higher savings potential and built-in financial protection, we are ensuring their hard-earned money works even harder for them as they build wealth with confidence,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. As a savings account, the LANDBANK OptiSaver Plus offers flexibility with no tenor, and allows account holders to unlimited deposits and withdrawals with seamless access through LANDBANK's digital banking channels for cardless LANDBANK Visa Debit Card transactions and at all LANDBANK Branches for passbook over-the-counter transactions. Interested clients can open an OptiSaver Plus account at any LANDBANK branch and receive a passbook for account monitoring. Meanwhile, existing OptiSaver account holders who wish to avail of the free insurance coverage may visit their LANDBANK branch of account to complete the necessary forms. Account holders will also receive the forms via email from their branch of account. 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.
LEARN MORE
Batanes goes cash-lite powered by LANDBANK, provincial gov’t
Business owners and vendors in Batanes now accept payments through a Quick Response (QR) code following the launch of LANDBANK’s Cash-Lite Batanes initiative, designed to transform the province into a digital payment hub. BASCO, Batanes – LANDBANK, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Batanes, is leading this Province’s shift towards a cash-lite economy by expanding access to innovative digital payment solutions. This initiative reinforces the Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion, ensuring residents, businesses, and local government units (LGUs) benefit from seamless and secure cashless transactions. Through the Cash-Lite Batanes initiative, Ivatans and tourists can now enjoy safe, efficient, and hassle-free transactions across the province using LANDBANK’s mobile and electronic payment services, while reducing reliance on physical cash. Currently, 1,665 business establishments and over 4,900 Ivatans—including tricycle drivers, social protection program beneficiaries, students, and households—are potential candidates for onboarding under this initiative. The Bank aims to equip them with their own LANDBANK accounts by year-end, ensuring broader financial access and inclusion. “The Cash-Lite Batanes initiative advances our efforts to bring financial services closer to underserved communities. Despite geographical challenges and infrastructure constraints, this initiative proves that digital transformation is possible with strong local government support and proactive community engagement, making modern banking accessible even in remote areas,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (7th from right) and Director Virginia N. Orogo (9th from right), alongside Batanes Vice Governor Ignacio C. Villa (5th from right), Provincial Administrator Justine Jerico H. Socito (3nd from right), and Provincial Human Resource Officer Annamarie A. Rosas (4th from right), lead the launch of the Cash-Lite Batanes initiative on 08 March 2025. LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz and Director Virginia N. Orogo, together with Batanes Vice Governor Ignacio C. Villa, Provincial Administrator Justine Jerico H. Socito, and Provincial Human Resource Officer Annamarie A. Rosas, led the launch of the Cash-Lite Batanes initiative on 08 March 2025, coinciding with the Provincial Government’s International Women's Day celebration. They were joined by Basco Mayor German Caccam, Ivana Mayor Celso B. Batallones, Uyugan Mayor Jonathan Enrique V. Nanud Jr., Sabtang Mayor Prescila A. Babalo, LANDBANK Executive Vice Presidents Liduvino S. Geron, Ma. Celeste A. Burgos, and Leila C. Martin, Senior Vice President Catherine Rowena B. Villanueva, Chief of Staff and First Vice President Atty. Nikkolas G. Tolentino, First Vice President Eden B. Japitana, and Vice President Liza J. Melendez. As the first bank to establish its presence in Batanes, LANDBANK is actively onboarding merchants, business establishments, and cardholders onto digital channels, enabling local enterprises—from small vendors to large retailers—to accept QR payments. This enhances business efficiency and elevates customer experience, positioning Batanes as a leader in digital adoption for remote communities. The Provincial Government of Batanes has played a key role in driving the success of LANDBANK’s Cash-Lite Batanes initiative. To accelerate the shift to digital payments, the local government has introduced ordinances aligned with the Paleng-QR Ph Program of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), mandating the adoption of QR PH digital payments among businesses and transport providers. In collaboration with local units and agencies, the Provincial Government is also enhancing infrastructure to support the transition towards a cash-lite community. A key initiative includes the deployment of 72 new Wi-Fi modems—sponsored by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)—to local government units to address Internet connectivity concerns. 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.
LEARN MORE
