Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Thursday (Aug. 19) announced that the country’s central bank would stop accepting digital banking applications on Sept. 1 to allow regulators “to monitor” the industry.
“We need to ensure that the business environment continues to allow healthy competition among banks enabling them to offer innovative and competitive financial products and services to their clients,” he said in the announcement.
The Monetary Board approved the applications of five digital banks, including UNObank, UnionDigital Bank and GoTyme. Two of the approved institutions — Overseas Filipino Bank Inc. and Tonik Bank — have converted their existing licenses to digital ones.
That board’s approval is the first of three steps banks must take to get a digital bank license in the Philippines. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is processing two other digital bank applications.
“As these tech-savvy, customer-centric players introduce innovations in the banking sector, we are confident that the BSP is on track to achieving its digitalization and financial inclusion goals,” said Diokno.
The agency will review applications submitted by the end of August in the order they are received.
Related: Philippines Central Bank Halts Lyka Social Media Payments
In July, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said social media platform Lyka must suspend its activities as an operator of payment systems as part of a FinTech crackdown by local officials.
Hong Kong-based Lyka operates in the Philippines and allows customers to buy, trade and use gift cards in electronic mode (called GEMs). Lyka has said it will cooperate and register with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as an operator of payment systems.
In October, the Filipino government began mulling whether it would curtail the number of digital banks in the country. Diokno said at the time that the digital-first mindset is accelerating as a result of the digital-first economy growing out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NEW PYMNTS DATA: 58 PERCENT OF MULTINATIONAL FIRMS ARE USING CRYPTOCURRENCY
About: In spite of their price volatility and regulatory uncertainty, new PYMNTS research shows that 58 percent of multinational firms are already using at least one form of cryptocurrency — especially when moving funds across borders. The new Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Global Business survey, a PYMNTS and Circle collaboration, polls 500 executives looks at the potential and the pitfalls facing crypto as it moves into the financial mainstream.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno on Thursday (Aug. 19) introduced that the nation’s central financial institution would cease accepting digital banking functions on Sept. 1 to permit regulators “to observe” the business.
“We have to be certain that the enterprise setting continues to permit wholesome competitors amongst banks enabling them to supply modern and aggressive monetary services to their purchasers,” he stated within the announcement.
The Financial Board authorized the functions of 5 digital banks, together with UNObank, UnionDigital Financial institution and GoTyme. Two of the authorized establishments — Abroad Filipino Financial institution Inc. and Tonik Financial institution — have transformed their present licenses to digital ones.
That board’s approval is the primary of three steps banks should take to get a digital financial institution license within the Philippines. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is processing two different digital financial institution functions.
“As these tech-savvy, customer-centric gamers introduce improvements within the banking sector, we’re assured that the BSP is on observe to reaching its digitalization and monetary inclusion objectives,” stated Diokno.
The company will evaluate functions submitted by the top of August within the order they’re obtained.
Associated: Philippines Central Financial institution Halts Lyka Social Media Funds
In July, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), stated social media platform Lyka should droop its actions as an operator of fee techniques as a part of a FinTech crackdown by native officers.
Hong Kong-based Lyka operates within the Philippines and permits clients to purchase, commerce and use present playing cards in digital mode (referred to as GEMs). Lyka has stated it can cooperate and register with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as an operator of fee techniques.
In October, the Filipino authorities started mulling whether or not it could curtail the variety of digital banks within the nation. Diokno stated on the time that the digital-first mindset is accelerating because of the digital-first economic system rising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
——————————
NEW PYMNTS DATA: 58 PERCENT OF MULTINATIONAL FIRMS ARE USING CRYPTOCURRENCY
About: Despite their worth volatility and regulatory uncertainty, new PYMNTS analysis exhibits that 58 % of multinational companies are already utilizing at the least one type of cryptocurrency — particularly when transferring funds throughout borders. The brand new Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and World Enterprise survey, a PYMNTS and Circle collaboration, polls 500 executives seems on the potential and the pitfalls dealing with crypto because it strikes into the monetary mainstream.
