LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is planning to boost its loan portfolio to the agriculture sector to P265 billion by 2020 and P350 billion by 2022 and lower annual interest rates to 5% from the current 6%.

THE YUAN steadied on Thursday after the central bank set the daily fixing stronger than analysts expected, providing some reassurance to traders rattled by a tumultuous week in markets.

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THE PESO strengthened on Thursday despite weaker-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second quarter and ahead of the central bank’s policy decision.

YIELDS ON term deposits declined as demand went up on Wednesday ahead of the central bank’s policy meeting.

SECURITY BANK Corp. booked a higher net income in the second quarter following the expansion of its core businesses.

YUCHENGCO-LED Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is on track to grow its bottom line this year by double digits, a senior official said, as the bank’s net income climbed by almost a fourth during the first half.

THE PESO weakened further, returning to the P52-per-dollar level, as markets continued to react to lingering US-China trade tensions.

DAVAO CITY — Top officials of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced the opening of two new branches in the Davao Region within the year, but at the same time stressed they are “carefully” phasing the expansion of physical offices in view of the continued development of online banking services.

SYDNEY — Australia’s central bank held rates at an all-time low of 1% on Tuesday as it weighed the impact of past easing, though markets are wagering the tide of policy stimulus sweeping the world will compel it to cut again before yearend.

ASIA UNITED Bank Corp. (AUB) booked a double-digit growth in net income during the first semester, it said yesterday.

WASHINGTON — The four living former chairs of the Federal Reserve on Monday called for the US central bank to remain free to work independently and without fear of political reprisals in a rare joint public statement.