Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 65562
                    [Title] => RP raises $24.2M from debt warrants
                    [Summary] => 
            
The Philippines has raised $24.187 million from the issuance of debt-exchange warrants  covering $2.25 billion of its foreign currency bonds, higher than its earlier indicated ceiling of $1.75 billion, the government said yesterday.
                    [DatePublished] => 2008-06-03 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1804708
                    [AuthorName] => Iris Gonzales
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 19507
                    [Title] => PSBank undertakes rights offer
                    [Summary] => 
            
                    [DatePublished] => 2007-10-09 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 397559
                    [Title] => Metrobank bullish over consumer market
                    [Summary] => 




The Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) wants a bigger slice of the consumer market in the face of a bloated corporate sector.


Metrobank senior vice president Bernardito Lapuz said they will be giving more and more emphasis on the consumer market as the corporate sector keeps its expansion efforts on hold.


In fact, Lapuz ventured to say that should Metrobank consider taking an aggressive stance regarding acquisition, "it would be a bank that offers value-added to Metrobank and that is a bank with a strong consumer base."



                    [DatePublished] => 2007-05-08 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1097672
                    [AuthorName] =>  Ted P. Torres
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 369809
                    [Title] => Stocks likely to post gains
                    [Summary] => 



Given its strong gains last week, the local stock market is likely to continue its upward trek and might test the 2,880 level due to the string of positive economic developments.


OFW remittances rose 14.4 percent in the first nine months of the year while crude oil prices have dropped and touched a one year low at $56.25 a barrel despite OPEC’s declaration last month of future production cuts.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-11-20 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1804021
                    [AuthorName] => Zinnia B. Dela Peña
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 355028
                    [Title] => Stockholders to get 1st crack at EPCIB shares
                    [Summary] => 



The current stockholders of Equitable PCI Bank (EPCIB) will get the first crack at the 10.8-percent treasury shares presently held by wholly-owned subsidiary EBCI Investment Inc. (EBCII).


"Shareholders will have pre-emptive rights. That has been agreed upon," EPCIB chairperson Corazon de la Paz said. De la Paz is also the president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System (SSS).


The pre-emptive rights will be distributed pro-rated.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-08-28 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1097672
                    [AuthorName] =>  Ted P. Torres
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 354135
                    [Title] => EPCIB decides to sell treasury shares
                    [Summary] => 

Equitable-PCI Bank (EPCI Bank) will place its 10.8-percent treasury shares on the auction block held by its subsidiary, EBCI Investment Inc. (EBCII).


EPCIB vice co-chairman Winston F. Garcia revealed that the planned sale of the treasury shares would help improve the capital base of the bank. Garcia is also the president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).


The government pension fund   controls  12  percent equity in EPCIB or third largest behind the SM Group and the Social Security System (SSS).


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-08-22 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 354136
                    [Title] => RCBC mulls hybrid Tier 1 capital in September
                    [Summary] => 

The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is preparing to issue a $130 million hybrid Tier 1 capital in September.


"Now is a good time to borrow. Our plan is to tap the offshore market next month because the spreads have tightened," RCBC president Francisco Magsajo told reporters yesterday at the launch of its product designed for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) being marketed by subsidiary, RCBC Savings Bank.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-08-22 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [7] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 342664
                    [Title] => Banks’ capital adequacy ratio seen going down
                    [Summary] => The capital adequacy ratio of the banking industry is expected to go down from the current range of 16 to 17 percent to 13 to 14 percent once the industry is fully compliant with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and the Basle II Convention. 


The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipipinas (BSP) said the banking industry is in the middle of shifting gears to comply with regulations that align the country’s banking and financial markets with international best practices. 


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-06-19 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1096655
                    [AuthorName] =>  Des  Ferriols
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [8] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 99173
                    [Title] => BSP may scrap last stage of capital hike for banks
                    [Summary] => 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may no longer require banks from
complying with a higher capitalization set to take effect on Dec. 31, 2000, the
last phase of the three-part capital hike implemented by the central bank in
1997, BSP Gov. Rafael Buenaventura said yesterday.

"We are open to deferring it or totally forgetting about it if we shift to the
BIS definition for measuring capital adequacy," he said.

Buenaventura said this was already discussed with the 52 commercial banks
belonging to the Bankers Association of the Philippines in a meeting
yesterday,.
                    [DatePublished] => 2000-05-24 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1197311
                    [AuthorName] => by Jun Ebias
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [9] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 101052
                    [Title] => RP banks remain weak - ADB study
                    [Summary] => 

The country's banking system remains weak despite various reforms implemented
previously by monetary authorities, according to an Asian Development Bank
(ADB) report.

"Despite earlier reform efforts, weaknesses remain in the Philippine banking
system," the ADB's Asia Recovery Report (ARR) said.

At the same time, the ADB is pushing for the repeal of the Bank Secrecy Law.
"The reluctance to repeal the Banking Secrecy Law remains a serious impediment
to strengthening bank supervision," it said.

The report also pointed out that the prudential regulations and supervision are

                    [DatePublished] => 2000-03-13 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1096364
                    [AuthorName] => Donnabelle L. Gatdula
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

        )

)

BASLE

Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 65562
                    [Title] => RP raises $24.2M from debt warrants
                    [Summary] => 
            
The Philippines has raised $24.187 million from the issuance of debt-exchange warrants  covering $2.25 billion of its foreign currency bonds, higher than its earlier indicated ceiling of $1.75 billion, the government said yesterday.
                    [DatePublished] => 2008-06-03 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1804708
                    [AuthorName] => Iris Gonzales
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 19507
                    [Title] => PSBank undertakes rights offer
                    [Summary] => 
            
                    [DatePublished] => 2007-10-09 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 397559
                    [Title] => Metrobank bullish over consumer market
                    [Summary] => 




The Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) wants a bigger slice of the consumer market in the face of a bloated corporate sector.


Metrobank senior vice president Bernardito Lapuz said they will be giving more and more emphasis on the consumer market as the corporate sector keeps its expansion efforts on hold.


In fact, Lapuz ventured to say that should Metrobank consider taking an aggressive stance regarding acquisition, "it would be a bank that offers value-added to Metrobank and that is a bank with a strong consumer base."



                    [DatePublished] => 2007-05-08 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1097672
                    [AuthorName] =>  Ted P. Torres
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 369809
                    [Title] => Stocks likely to post gains
                    [Summary] => 



Given its strong gains last week, the local stock market is likely to continue its upward trek and might test the 2,880 level due to the string of positive economic developments.


OFW remittances rose 14.4 percent in the first nine months of the year while crude oil prices have dropped and touched a one year low at $56.25 a barrel despite OPEC’s declaration last month of future production cuts.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-11-20 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1804021
                    [AuthorName] => Zinnia B. Dela Peña
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 355028
                    [Title] => Stockholders to get 1st crack at EPCIB shares
                    [Summary] => 



The current stockholders of Equitable PCI Bank (EPCIB) will get the first crack at the 10.8-percent treasury shares presently held by wholly-owned subsidiary EBCI Investment Inc. (EBCII).


"Shareholders will have pre-emptive rights. That has been agreed upon," EPCIB chairperson Corazon de la Paz said. De la Paz is also the president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System (SSS).


The pre-emptive rights will be distributed pro-rated.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-08-28 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1097672
                    [AuthorName] =>  Ted P. Torres
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 354135
                    [Title] => EPCIB decides to sell treasury shares
                    [Summary] => 

Equitable-PCI Bank (EPCI Bank) will place its 10.8-percent treasury shares on the auction block held by its subsidiary, EBCI Investment Inc. (EBCII).


EPCIB vice co-chairman Winston F. Garcia revealed that the planned sale of the treasury shares would help improve the capital base of the bank. Garcia is also the president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).


The government pension fund   controls  12  percent equity in EPCIB or third largest behind the SM Group and the Social Security System (SSS).


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-08-22 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 354136
                    [Title] => RCBC mulls hybrid Tier 1 capital in September
                    [Summary] => 

The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is preparing to issue a $130 million hybrid Tier 1 capital in September.


"Now is a good time to borrow. Our plan is to tap the offshore market next month because the spreads have tightened," RCBC president Francisco Magsajo told reporters yesterday at the launch of its product designed for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) being marketed by subsidiary, RCBC Savings Bank.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-08-22 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Banking
                    [SectionUrl] => banking
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [7] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 342664
                    [Title] => Banks’ capital adequacy ratio seen going down
                    [Summary] => The capital adequacy ratio of the banking industry is expected to go down from the current range of 16 to 17 percent to 13 to 14 percent once the industry is fully compliant with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and the Basle II Convention. 


The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipipinas (BSP) said the banking industry is in the middle of shifting gears to comply with regulations that align the country’s banking and financial markets with international best practices. 


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-06-19 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1096655
                    [AuthorName] =>  Des  Ferriols
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [8] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 99173
                    [Title] => BSP may scrap last stage of capital hike for banks
                    [Summary] => 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may no longer require banks from
complying with a higher capitalization set to take effect on Dec. 31, 2000, the
last phase of the three-part capital hike implemented by the central bank in
1997, BSP Gov. Rafael Buenaventura said yesterday.

"We are open to deferring it or totally forgetting about it if we shift to the
BIS definition for measuring capital adequacy," he said.

Buenaventura said this was already discussed with the 52 commercial banks
belonging to the Bankers Association of the Philippines in a meeting
yesterday,.
                    [DatePublished] => 2000-05-24 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1197311
                    [AuthorName] => by Jun Ebias
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [9] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 101052
                    [Title] => RP banks remain weak - ADB study
                    [Summary] => 

The country's banking system remains weak despite various reforms implemented
previously by monetary authorities, according to an Asian Development Bank
(ADB) report.

"Despite earlier reform efforts, weaknesses remain in the Philippine banking
system," the ADB's Asia Recovery Report (ARR) said.

At the same time, the ADB is pushing for the repeal of the Bank Secrecy Law.
"The reluctance to repeal the Banking Secrecy Law remains a serious impediment
to strengthening bank supervision," it said.

The report also pointed out that the prudential regulations and supervision are

                    [DatePublished] => 2000-03-13 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1096364
                    [AuthorName] => Donnabelle L. Gatdula
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

        )

)

abtest