2026-01-05

Circular No. 1227: Extension of Regulatory Incentive Period for Financing for Eligible Green or Sustainable Projects and Activities

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas issued Circular No. 1227 to extend regulatory incentives for financing eligible green or sustainable projects for two years starting January 6, 2026. The directive amends the Manual of Regulations for Banks to allow an additional 15% Single Borrower's Limit for qualifying sustainable loans and imposes a 0% reserve requirement rate on sustainable bonds. These measures aim to support the National Government's climate commitments and sustainable development goals by encouraging banks to finance projects aligned with the ASEAN and Philippine Sustainable Finance Taxonomies.

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BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS Subject The Monetary Board. in its Resolution No. 1266 dated 22 December 2025. approved the amendments to the regulations on credit exposure limits to a single borrower and rates of required reserves as provided under Sections 362 and 251 of the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB), respectively. This effectiveIy extends the period for regulatory incentives for another two (2) years The extension of regulatory incentives, in the form of (i) an additional fifteen percent 05%) Single Borrower's Limit (SBL), and (ii) a zero percent (0%) reserve requirement rate for sustainable bonds issued by banks, aims to promote financing for eligible green or sustainable projects and activities that advance the National Government INC i's climate commitments and sustainable development goals, as articulated in the National Adaptation Plan INAP). the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Extension of Regulatory Incentive Period for Financing for Eligible Green or Sustainable Projects and Activities CIRCULAR No. 1227 Series of 2026 Section I. Section 362 of the MopB. as amended by Circular Nos. 1164 dated 05 January 2023 and1185 dated 13 December 2023. shall be further amended to read as follows: 362 CREDIT EXPOSURE LIMITS To A SINGLE BORROWER a. xxx b. The total amount of loans, credit accommodations and guarantees prescribed in the first paragraph may be increased for each of t e following circumstances: a) xxx XXX (5) By an additional fifteen percent (15%) of the net worth of such bank subject to the following conditions: (a) That the additional loans, credit accommodations an guarantees are for the purpose offinaricing eligible green or sustainable projects. including transitional activities to decarbonization, that meet any of the principles or eligible categories of projects laid out in any of the following documents. and future enhancements thereto: (i) " ' ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance which may be accessed in https*?WWW. $finstitute. ash^seen ' .taronqmy " Implementing regulations to be issued by the Financial Sector Forum IFSF)-member agencies. '61d'ssifiCat+on:'G'ENERAL' . - X; XXX; xxx (iv) (v) XXx ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance'; or Philippine Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Guidelines""

tel That the additional fifteen percent 05%) shall be allowed for a period of two 12 I years from 06 January 2026; and If) That the credit risk concentration arising from total exposures to all borrowers pertaining to such eligible projects shall be considered by the bank in its internal assessment of capital adequacy relative to its overall risk profile and operating environment, Section 2. Section 251 of the MORB, as amended by Circular Nos 1175 dated 23 June 2023.1176 dated 29 June 2023,1201 dated 20 September 2024.12/1 dated n March 2025, and 1185 dated 13 December 2023, shall be further amended to read, as follows: XXX ACCOUNTS SUBJECT To RESERVES; AMOUNTS REQUIRED The following rules and regulations shall govern the reserves against deposit and deposit substitute liabilities. Required reserves against deposit and deposit substitute liabilities. The rates of required reserves against deposit and deposit substitute liabilities in local currency of banks effective in the reserve week after effectivity of this Circular shall be, as follows: 251 a. xxx xxx Reservable Liabilities Bonds (1) Sustainable bonds, ", (2) Other bonds xxx Section 3, This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) calendar days following its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circ Iation. UBs/1<BS xxx XXx :SI. January 2026 Digital Banks xXX xxx O% xxx O% XXX xxx TBs XXx XXX Classification: GENFRAl ""' This shall include outstanding and new issuances of green. social. sustainability and other sustainable bonds x. XXX RBs/Coop Banks xxx xxx O% xxx XXX The zero percent 10%) reserve requirement rate shall be effective for a period of two (2) years from 06 January 2026. 2 of 2 FOR THE MONETARY BOARD: I^ O% xxx XXx EU M. REMOLONA, JR. Governor