Universal and commercial bank (U/KB) lending to businesses and consumers reached P13.62 trillion in August 2025, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
This total outstanding loan amount reflected an 11.2-percent year-on-year growth from P12.25 trillion in August 2024. However, this was slower than the 11.8-percent registered in July.
Outstanding loans to residents amounted to P13.31 trillion in August, marking an 11.6 percent increase. This was slower than the 12.4 percent rate in the previous month.
Loans meant to fund business activities expanded 9.9 percent to P11.51 trillion from P10.47 trillion a year earlier.
The BSP said higher bank lending to key industries drove this growth, with funding for electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply rising 28.1 percent; real estate activities, 11.0 percent; wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, 8.1 percent; information and communication, 7.5 percent; and financial and insurance activities, 6.9 percent.
Consumer loans also grew by 23.9 percent to P1.79 trillion in August. This category includes credit card, motor vehicle and general-purpose salary loans. The growth rate was slightly faster than the 23.6 percent growth in July.
Meanwhile, the total outstanding loans to non-residents posted a slower decline of 5.9 percent to P309.79 billion in August. This was lower than the 8.1-percent decrease in non-resident loans the previous month.
The BSP said it monitors bank loans because they are a key transmission channel of monetary policy. It said this would ensure bank lending conditions remain consistent with its price and financial stability mandates.
