Title
BSP Rules on Quasi-Banking Functions
Law
Bsp Circular No. 459
Decision Date
Nov 11, 2004
BSP Circular No. 459 establishes the rules for banks and non-bank financial institutions to engage in quasi-banking functions, requiring a minimum capital of P650 million, compliance with risk management standards, and the appointment of independent directors, while providing a two-year grace period for existing institutions to meet these new capital requirements.
A

Preconditions for Quasi-Banking Functions by Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)

  • Only duly incorporated NBFIs organized as stock corporations may engage in quasi-banking functions.
  • Requirements for NBFIs securing BSP authority:
    • Minimum adjusted capital accounts of at least P650 million or as set by the Monetary Board.
    • Compliance with applicable laws, rules, orders, and BSP or Monetary Board instructions.
    • Proper maintenance of accounting records, systems, procedures, and internal controls.
    • No float items outstanding for more than 60 calendar days exceeding 1% of total resources.
    • No past due obligations with financial institutions at application.
    • Officers managing quasi-banking operations must have at least two years’ experience in similar functions.
    • Fit and proper rule compliance for directors and managerial staff.
    • Election of at least two independent directors and attendance at BSP-accredited director seminars.
    • No unsafe or unsound practices for the last six months before application.
    • Implementation of a comprehensive, board-approved risk management system appropriate to operations, supported by an operations manual and related documents submitted upon application and updated within 30 days.

Deletion of Outdated Provisions

  • Subsections 4102Q.1 to 4102Q.3 of the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions are deleted.

Certification of Authority Application Procedures

  • Banks and NBFIs must file applications with the appropriate BSP supervising and examining department.
  • Application must be signed by the president or equivalent officer and include:
    • Board of directors’ resolution authorizing the application.
    • Certification affirming compliance with all preconditions.
    • Information sheet.
    • Oath-signed bio-data of managerial staff responsible for quasi-banking operations.
    • One-year borrowing-investment program detailing:
      • Portfolio distribution among underwriting, commercial paper markets, stocks and bonds, government securities, receivables financing, discounting and factoring, leasing, and direct loans.
      • Expected sources of funds categorized by maturity (short, medium, long-term), interest rates, and domestic or foreign sources.

Transitory Provisions for Capital Compliance

  • Thrift banks already engaging in quasi-banking but not meeting capital requirements are given two years from the circular's date to comply:
    • Existing approved capital build-up programs may count toward compliance.
    • If no program exists, they may apply for a capital build-up program lasting up to five years with Monetary Board approval.
    • Failure to comply within two years or with an approved program requires liquidation of quasi-banking operations within one year, with licenses revoked or canceled.
    • Thrift banks authorized but not engaging in quasi-banking and non-compliant with capital requirements face automatic revocation.
  • NBFIs have similar two-year periods and options for capital build-up programs, with similar consequences upon failure to comply.

Effective Date

  • The circular takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Analyze Cases Smarter, Faster
Jur helps you analyze cases smarter to comprehend faster, building context before diving into full texts. AI-powered analysis, always verify critical details.