BSP extends foreign banks’ SBL exemption

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign banks have been given another year to help bankroll crucial big-ticket infrastructure projects without worrying about the single borrower’s limit (SBL) as the Philippines recovers from the pandemic-induced economic recession.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said the Monetary Board approved the grant of regulatory relief to branches of foreign banks in the form of non-imposition of sanctions prescribed under existing regulations for breach in the single borrower’s limit (SBL) until end-December next year.

The SBL prevents an overconcentration of credit risk, and imposes a ceiling on the amount of loans, credit accommodations and guarantees that a bank or financial institution can extend to a single borrower or its related entities.

The extended exemption covers 14 branches of foreign banks that were established in the Philippines prior to the effectivity of Republic Act 10641 or the act allowing the full entry of foreign banks.

“Consistent with the other regulatory reliefs or initiatives earlier implemented by the BSP, this measure is expected to help boost lending in support of businesses and sectors, and pump-prime the country’s economic growth and post-pandemic recovery,” Diokno said.

The BSP chief said the measure would also diversify credit exposures, particularly in financing big-ticket projects that otherwise would be concentrated in domestic banks.

The initial extension provides foreign bank branches with ample time to re-assess their credit exposures and implement measures to ensure compliance with the SBL regulations even with the reduced base amount supposedly starting next month.

Under Section 5 of the new law that amended Republic Act 7721, the SBL of a foreign bank branch should be aligned with that of a domestic bank or at 25 percent of a bank’s networth.

The regulatory relief was extended anew in view of the lapse of the transitory period for the SBL computation on Dec. 31.

“As a control measure, new loans, credit accommodations or guarantees extended and existing credit exposures which are restructured, renewed, and refinanced, beginning Jan. 1 until Dec. 31, shall not exceed the prescribed percentage limit using as reference point twice the level of capital or net worth of a foreign bank branch,” the BSP said.

The total amount of loans, credit accommodations and guarantees that may be extended by a bank to any borrower shall be subject to a cap of 25 percent of the net worth of such bank.

Last March 11, the BSP issued memorandum 2020 – 011, raising the SBL to 30 percent to allow banks to lend more to borrowers affected by the pandemic.

The temporary increase in the SBL was supposed to be in place only for six months but was extended to end March next year as part of additional relief for banks to help them survive this extraordinary situation and support their subsequent recovery efforts