Bank lending up 9.3% in January 2026

Bank lending slightly grew by 9.3 percent in January 2026, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The central bank said preliminary data show that loans from universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) increased at a slower rate of 9.3 percent year-on-year in January 2026 from the revised 9.6 percent in December 2025.

"After adjusting for seasonal fluctuations, outstanding U/KB loans were higher by 1.0 percent month-on-month in January," it said.

"Outstanding loans to residents grew by 9.9 percent in January from a revised 10.1-percent expansion in December, while outstanding loans to non-residents fell by 10.4 percent from the revised 8.0-percent decline in the same period," it added.

Business loans grew by 8.2 percent in January. 

Lending rose for the following key industries: real estate activities (9.1 percent); electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply (20.3 percent); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (8.3 percent); financial and insurance activities (5.5 percent); information and communication (4.9 percent); and transportation and storage (19.1 percent).

Growing by 21.3 percent from the revised 21.5 percent are consumer loans to residents, which include credit card, motor vehicle, and general-purpose salary loans.

"The BSP monitors bank loans because they are a key transmission channel of monetary policy," it said.

"Looking ahead, the BSP will ensure that domestic liquidity and bank lending conditions remain consistent with its price and financial stability mandates," it added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News