THE PESO strengthened against the dollar on Monday as the slower-than-expected September inflation print continued to boost the attractiveness of the local currency.

RATES OF government securities on offer this week will likely climb anew, with bids for the five-year Treasury bonds (T-bond) expected to be rejected, as investors price in the elevated September inflation print.

DIGITAL PAYMENTS remain pivotal in financial inclusion, industry players said, as physical and cultural issues are seen to be key barriers in serving the unbanked sector.

THE PESO is seen to weaken further this week as likely mixed US data and hawkish Federal Reserve officials may boost the attractiveness of the greenback.

YIELDS on government securities went up last week as market players stayed cautious ahead of expectations of a faster September inflation print.

AVAILMENTS under the pension loan program of the Social Security System (SSS) reached over P100 million during the first month of implementation, the state-run firm said on Friday.

THE Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) extended a P3-billion loan to a Cebu-based contractor planning to build a commercial center in Mandaue City.

THE peso recovered on Friday as market players reacted to a lower-than-expected inflation reading for September, which helped ease negative sentiment towards the local currency.

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) has raised P8.68 billion from the first tranche of its P25-billion long-term negotiable certificates of deposit (LTNCD) program meant to diversify its funding sources.

BIG BANKS again failed to comply with required lending to the farming sector in June, which came at a time of robust asset growth, latest central bank data showed.

AT THE BAIPHIL 3^rd General Membership Meeting, corporate governance “guru” and guest speaker Dr. Jesus Estanislao emphasized that governance demands a focus on the long-term, realizing a great “vision” in five to ten years. Governance demands a focus on the institution and what the institution should become. Yes, people are very important, but cautioned against personalities. He said governance asks for a strategy, a set of priorities pursued across all the different facets of any business. The key focus is on priorities which must be inter-connected and mutually supportive.

THE PESO weakened on Thursday as the dollar strengthened on the back of a jump in US Treasury yields.