DOMESTIC FINANCIAL MARKETS rebounded for the most part in the third quarter as the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions, waves of positive news on the development of potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trials, and slight pickup in the global economic activity lifted investor sentiment at home.

THE UNCERTAINTY caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has pushed some big firms and investors into the defense by cutting back on capital-raising activities and retreating towards safe-haven investments. Despite the pandemic, raising funds through capital markets is still possible, analysts said.

THE CORONAVIRUS disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remained the primary driver of local financial markets in the second quarter of 2020 as market players continue to adjust expectations and digest a slew of economic reports published during the period.

THE OPINION on whether bank stocks are attractive to buy and hold remain mixed among analysts as uncertainties surrounding the economic recovery from a pandemic-induced slump remain. However, those drawing up their shopping lists on stocks may want to look at listed banks based on analysts’ recommendations.

IN THE BUSINESS lexicon, “high-tech, low-touch” refers to the process that involves high levels of automation accompanied by low-level or no personal interaction.

THE SPREAD of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the first quarter has put a damper on the performance of financial markets for the rest of the year.

ANALYSTS were mixed on the prospects for owning bank stocks as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic puts a damper on earnings.

THE NEED for a national savings program and affordable home financing for working class Filipinos led to the creation of the Home Development Mutual Fund, or more known as the Pag-IBIG (Pagtutulungan sa Kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya at Gobyerno) Fund on June 11, 1978.

SUSTAINABLE FINANCE or green finance has been gaining traction across the financial value chain due to its economic benefits with environmental, social and governance considerations. Due to its appeal of bringing both sustainability-positive outcomes and investible returns, it is perceived as one of the tools mobilizing capital from the private sector, thereby, filling financing gaps that government funds and development assistance may not be able to fully provide.

“WE HAD A MOTHER and son team who have been managing a gas service station in the Visayas. They would often use their credit cards for their fuel purchases and would regularly pay every two months. They never went to a bank for financing because they did not want to be bothered by too many documentary requirements and continuous negotiations,” shared Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Business Banking Head Eric Luchangco in an e-mail interview with BusinessWorld regarding one of their clients’ experience.

USUALLY, seafarers would have to wait for their ship to dock and go to a bank or a remittance center when they want to send money to their loved ones. With money transfers being made easier thanks to money transfer apps, the same convenience will be extended to seafarers that would enable them to make transactions anywhere in the world, even while at sea.

ANALYSTS are generally bullish on bank stocks this year amid expectations of the central bank to ease monetary policy further in order to support economic growth.