R.A.

8791 GENERAL BANKING LAW OF 2000

GENERAL BANKING LAW
(PowerpointPresentation in General Banking Law)

RA 8791 GENERAL BANKING LAW OF 2000

An Act Providing for the Regulation of and Organization and Operations of Banks,
Quasi-banks, Trust Entities and for other purposes.

The General Banking Law of 2000 (GBL) is the law that generally governs the regulation,
organization and operation of banks, quasi-banks, and other quasi-entities. It primarily
governs Universal Banks[1] (UB) and Commercial Banks[2] (CB), and has suppletory
application to Thrift Banks (which is primarily governed by RA 7906, the Thrift Banks Act),
Rural Banks (primarily governed by RA 7353, the Rural Banks Act), and Cooperative Banks
(primarily governed by RA 6938, the Cooperative Code).[3]
Banks
Definition
Banks are entities engaged in the lending of funds obtained in the form of deposits from the
public.[4] This is usually referred to as core-banking functions of mobilizing savings
(through deposit-taking) and allocating resources (through lending).
GBL requires that banks are stock corporations and its funds are obtained from the public,
i.e. deposits of twenty (20) or more persons.[5]
In Baas v. Asia Pacific Finance Corp.,[6] the Supreme Court said that an investment
company that engages solely in investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities is not
engaged in banking. An investment company refers to any issuer which is or holds
itself out as being engaged or proposes to engage primarily in the business of
investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. As defined in Revised Securities
Act, securities shall include commercial papers evidencing indebtedness of any
person, financial or non-financial entity, irrespective of maturity, issued,
endorsed, sold, transferred or in any manner conveyed to another with or without
recourse, such as promissory notes. Clearly, the transaction between petitioners
and respondent was one involving not a loan but purchase of receivables at a
discount, well within the purview of investing, reinvesting or trading in
securities which an investment company, like ASIA PACIFIC, is authorized to
perform and does not constitute a violation of the General Banking Act.
In Republic v. Security Credit and Acceptance Corporation,[7] the Court said that
an investment company which loans out the money of its customers, collects the
interest and charges a commission to both lender and borrower, is a bank. It is
conceded that a total of 59,463 savings account deposits have been made by the
public with the corporation and its 74 branches, with an aggregate deposit of
P1,689,136.74, which has been lent out to such persons as the corporation
deemed suitable therefore. It is clear that these transactions partake of the
nature of banking, as the term is used in Section 2 of the General Banking
Act.
Banks must also be contrasted from quasi-banks (QB). The latter refer to
entities engaged in the borrowing of funds through the issuance, endorsement or
assignment with recourse or acceptance of deposit substitutes (as defined in Sec.
95 RA 7653, the New Central Bank Act) for purposes of relending or purchasing of
receivables and other obligations. (last part of Sec. 4) Since this is an inherent
power of UBs and CBs, they do not require separate licensing or authorization for
this purpose.
Nature of Business
Section 2 of GBL provides that the State recognizes the vital role of banks in providing an
environment conducive to the sustained development of the national economy and the
fiduciary nature of banking that requires high standards of integrity and performance. This
consequently means that a bank shall be subject to heavy and close supervision and/or
regulation by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,[8] and that it must exercise utmost diligence
in the handling of deposits.[9]
To promote and maintain a stable and efficient banking and financial system, there are
special rules that govern banks. Because it is indispensable to the national interest, any
strike or lockout involving banks, if unsettled after seven (7) calendar days shall be reported
by the Bangko Sentral to the Secretary of Labor who has two options: (1) he may assume
jurisdiction over the dispute or decide it or (2) certify the same to the National Labor
Relations Commission for compulsory arbitration. The law allows the President of the
Philippines, at any time, to intervene and assume jurisdiction over such labor dispute in
order to settle or terminate the same.[10]
Authority to incorporate and operate
GBL provides that a bank or quasi-bank cannot be incorporated without authority from the
BSP. The law states that the Securities and Exchange Commission shall not register the
articles of incorporation of any bank, or any amendment thereto, unless accompanied by a
certificate of authority issued by the Monetary Board, under its seal.[11]
In addition, an entity performing banking and quasi-banking function cannot
also operate without a certificate of authority from the BSP.[12]
Classification of Banks
Section 3.2 of the GBL classifies banks into:
Universal Banks (UB) banks that have the authority to exercise, in addition to the powers
authorized for a commercial bank, the powers of an investment house and the power to
invest in non-allied enterprises.[13]
Commercial Banks (CB) banks that have, in addition to the general powers incident to
corporations, all such powers as may be necessary to carry on the business of commercial
banking, such as accepting drafts and issuing letters of credit; discounting and negotiating
promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, and other evidences of debt; accepting or
creating demand deposits; receiving other types of deposits and deposit substitutes; buying
and selling foreign exchange and gold or silver bullion; acquiring marketable bonds and
other debt securities; and extending credit, subject to such rules as the Monetary Board may
promulgate.[14]
iii. Rural Banks banks that are created to make needed credit available and readily
accessible in the rural areas for purposes of promoting comprehensive rural development.
[15]
Thrift Banks banks that include savings and mortgage banks, private development banks,
and stock savings and loan associations.
Cooperative Banks banks that primarily provide financial, banking and credit services to
cooperative organizations and their members.[16]
Islamic Banks Charter of Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the
Philippines.[17]
vii. Other classification of banks as determined by the Monetary Board (MB) of the BSP.

UNIVERSAL BANKS COMMERCIAL BANKS

As to Powers

The powers authorized for a

Commercial Bank;
The powers of an investment house
as provided in existing laws;
and
The power to invest in non-allied
enterprises as provided in the GBL.
(Sec. 23)
THE GENERAL POWERS INCIDENT TO
CORPORATIONS,
BSP Circular 271 (2002)
(1) invest in the equities of allied
enterprises;
(2) purchase, hold and convey real
estate;
(3) receive in custody funds,
documents and valuable objects;
(4) act as financial agent;
(5) make collections and payments for
ALL SUCH POWERS AS MAY BE
NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE
BUSINESS OF COMMERCIAL BANKING,
SUCH AS ACCEPTING DRAFTS AND
ISSUING LETTERS OF CREDIT;
DISCOUNTING AND NEGOTIATING
PROMISSORY NOTES, DRAFTS, BILLS
OF EXCHANGE, AND OTHER
EVIDENCES OF DEBT;
SUBJECT TO SUCH RULES AS THE MB
MAY PROMULGATE. THESE RULES MAY
INCLUDE THE DETERMINATION OF
BONDS AND OTHER DEBT SECURITIES
ELIGIBLE FOR INVESTMENT, THE
MATURITIES AND AGGREGATE
AMOUNT OF SUCH INVESTMENT. (SEC.
29)
As to Equity Investments
A UB MAY INVEST IN THE EQUITIES OF
ALLIED (EITHER FINANCIAL OR NON-
FINANCIAL) AND NON-ALLIED
ENTERPRISES. (SEC. 24)
EXCEPT AS THE MB MAY OTHERWISE
PRESCRIBE:
THE TOTAL INVESTMENT
IN EQUITIES OF ALLIED
AND NON-ALLIED
ENTERPRISES SHALL NOT
EXCEED 50% OF THE NET WORTH;
AND
THE EQUITY INVESTMENT IN ANY ONE
ENTERPRISE, WHETHER ALLIED OR
NON-ALLIED, SHALL NOT EXCEED 25%
OF THE NET WORTH OF THE BANK
(SEC. 24)
Equity Investments in Financial Allied
Enterprises
A UB CAN OWN UP TO
100% OF THE EQUITY IN
A THRIFT BANK,
A RURAL BANK OR
A FINANCIAL ALLIED
ENTERPRISE. (SEC. 25)
Equity Investments in Non-Financial Allied Enterprises
the account of others;
(6) act as managing agent, adviser,
consultant or administrator of
investment
management/advisory/-consultancy
accounts;
(7) rent out safety deposit boxes; and
(8) engage in quasi-banking functions.
A CB MAY INVEST ONLY IN THE
EQUITIES
OF ALLIED ENTERPRISES (EITHER
FINANCIAL OR NON-FINANCIAL). (SEC.
30)
EXCEPT AS THE MB MAY OTHERWISE
PRESCRIBE:
THE TOTAL INVESTMENT IN EQUITIES
OF
ALLIED ENTERPRISES SHALL NOT
EXCEED 35% OF THE NET WORTH OF
THE
BANK; AND
THE EQUITY INVESTMENT IN ANY ONE
ENTERPRISE SHALL NOT EXCEED 25%
OF
THE NET WORTH OF THE BANK. (SEC
A KB MAY OWN UP TO 100% OF THE
EQUITY OF
A THRIFT BANK OR
A RURAL BANK. (SEC. 31)
WHERE THE EQUITY INVESTMENT OF A
CB IS IN OTHER FINANCIAL ALLIED
ENTERPRISES, INCLUDING ANOTHER
COMMERCIAL BANK, SUCH
INVESTMENT SHALL REMAIN A
MINORITY HOLDING IN THAT
ENTERPRISE. (SEC. 31)
A UB OR CB MAY OWN UP TO ONE A UB OR CB MAY OWN UP TO ONE
HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE
EQUITY IN A NON-FINANCIAL ALLIED EQUITY IN A NON-FINANCIAL ALLIED
ENTERPRISE. (SEC. 26 AND 32) ENTERPRISE. (SEC. 26 AND 32)

Equity Investments in QBs

TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVE TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVE

CONDITIONS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS, CONDITIONS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS,
THE MB MAY FURTHER LIMIT TO 40% THE MB MAY FURTHER LIMIT TO 40%
EQUITY INVESTMENTS OF UBS AND EQUITY INVESTMENTS OF UBS AND
CBS IN QBS. (SEC. 28) CBS IN QBS. (SEC. 28)

Equity Investments in Non-Allied Enterprises

THE EQUITY INVESTMENT OF A UB, OR

OF ITS WHOLLY OR MAJORITY-OWNED
SUBSIDIARIES, IN A SINGLE NON-
ALLIED ENTERPRISE
shall not exceed 35% of the total
equity in that enterprise nor
shall it exceed 35% of the voting stock
in that enterprise. (Sec. 27)
Functions of Banks
Deposit Function
Nature of the Function
Deposit is one of the core banking functions. While the function is referred to as deposit, it is
strictly simple loan where the bank is the debtor and the depositor is the creditor. Fixed,
savings and current deposits of money in banks and similar institutions shall be governed by
the provisions concerning simple loan (Article 1980, Civil Code of the Philippines).
Since the bank is the borrower, it can make use as its own the money deposited, and the
amount is not held in trust for the depositor nor is it kept for safekeeping.[18] Bank officers
cannot also be held liable for estafa if they authorized the use of the money deposited by
the depositor.[19] Third persons who may have the right to the money deposited cannot
hold the bank responsible unless there is a court order or garnishment, since the duty of the
bank is to the creditor-depositor and not to third persons.[20]
In San Carlos Milling Co., Ltd v. BPI, the Court declared that banks are run for gain, and
they solicit deposits in order that they can use the money for that very purpose. For the
same reason, it has been held that a bank has a right of set off of the deposits in its hands
for the payment of any indebtedness to it on the part of a depositor.[21] Conversely, the
depositor has every right to apply his deposit in a bank against his loan from such bank.[22]
Kinds of Deposits
The basic types of deposit are demand deposits, savings account, time deposits, and NOW
account.
Demand deposits are those liabilities of banks which are denominated in Philippine
currency and are subject to payment in legal tender upon demand by presentation of
checks. In here, no interest is paid by the bank because the depositor can take out his funds
any time. It is called demand deposit because the depositor can withdraw the money he
deposited on the very same day.
Savings Account, which is the most common type of deposit, is usually evidenced by a
passbook. Under the fine print, if you deposit today, you cannot withdraw the amount until
60 days later. Bank pays an interest rate, but not as high as time deposits.
Time Deposit is an account with fixed term. The interest rate is stipulated depending on
the number of days. During this period, the money deposited cannot be withdrawn. It has a
higher rate of interest than saving account.
Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) Account is an interest-bearing deposit account
that combines the payable on demand feature of checks and investment feature of savings
accounts.
Other Account is one that may be opened by one individual or by two or more persons.
Whenever two or more persons open an account, the same may be an and/or account or
an and account.
NB: A bank other than a UB or CB cannot accept or create demand deposits except upon
prior approval of, and subject to such conditions and rules as may be prescribed by the
Monetary Board.[23]
Moreover, the bank is under the obligation to treat deposit accounts of it depositors with
meticulous care. It must bear the blame for failing to discover the mistake of its employees
despite the established procedure requiring bank papers to pass through bank personnel
whose duty it is to check and countercheck them for possible errors.[24] As a business
affected with public interest and because of the nature of its functions, a bank is under
obligation to treat the accounts of its depositors with meticulous case, always having in
mind the fiduciary nature of their relationship.[25]
Note on Safety Deposit Boxes: In the case of rent of safety deposit box, the contract is a
special kind of deposit and cannot be characterized as an ordinary contract of lease because
the full and absolute possession and control of the deposit box is not given to the renters.
The prevailing rule is that the relation between the bank renting out and the renter is that of
bailer and bailee the bailment being for hire and mutual benefit.[26]
Loan Function
Basic Rules and Restrictions: A bank shall grant loans and other credit accommodations
only in amounts and for the periods of time essential for the effective completion of the
operations to be financed, consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The bank must
ascertain before granting the load or other credit accommodation the ability of the debtor to
fulfill his commitment.
Risk-Based Capital Ratio: The MB shall prescribe the minimum ratio which the net worth
of a bank must bear to its total risk assets which may include contingent accounts (i.e. net
worth : total risk assets).[27] The risk-based capital ratio of a bank, expressed as a
percentage of qualifying capital to risk-weighted assets, shall not be less than 10% for both
solo basis (head office plus branches) and consolidated basis (parent bank plus subsidiary
financial allied undertakings, but excluding insurance companies). The ratio shall be
maintained daily.[28]
iii. Single Borrowers Limit (SBL): Except as the MB may otherwise prescribe for reasons
of national interest, the total amount of loans, credit accommodations and guarantees as
may be defined by the MB that may be extended by a bank to any person, partnership,
association, corporation or other entity shall at no time exceed 25% of the net worth of such
bank.[29] The basis for determining compliance with SBL is the total credit commitment of
the bank to the borrower.[30]
GBL provides that, unless the MB prescribes otherwise, the total amount of loans, credit
accommodations and guarantees prescribed in the preceding paragraph may be increased
by an additional 10% of the net worth of such bank provided the additional liabilities of any
borrower are adequately secured by trust receipts, shipping documents, warehouse receipts
or other similar documents transferring or securing title covering readily marketable, non-
perishable goods which must be fully covered by insurance.[31]
DORSI Accounts: GBL imposes restrictions (not total prohibition) on borrowings and
security arrangement by directors, officers, and stockholders of the bank. These restrictions
apply when the loan or financial accommodation of DORSI is in excess of 5% of the capital
and surplus of the lending bank or in the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is
lower. The GENERAL RULE is: a director or officer of any bank shall neither, directly or
indirectly, for himself or as the representative or agent of others, borrow from such bank; nor
become a guarantor, indorser or surety for loans from such bank to others, or in any manner
be an obligor or incur any contractual liability to the bank. The EXCEPTION is when there is a
written approval of the majority of all the directors of the bank, excluding the director
concerned. The required approval shall be entered upon the records of the bank and a copy
of such entry shall be transmitted forthwith to the appropriate supervising and examining
department of the BSP.[32]
Limits on loans and other credit accommodations (collaterals): Unless otherwise
prescribed by the MB, loans and other credit accommodations against real estate shall
not exceed 75% of the appraised value of the respective real estate security, plus 60% of
the appraised value of the insured improvements, and such loans may be made to the
owner of the real estate or to his assignees.[33] Those against security of chattels and
intangible properties shall not exceed 75% of the appraised value of the security, and
such loans and other credit accommodations may be made to the title-holder of the chattels
and intangible properties or his assignees.[34]
NB: The limit on loans, credit accommodations and guarantees prescribed herein shall not
apply to loans, credit accommodations and guarantees extended by a cooperative bank to
its cooperative shareholders.[35]
Foreclosure of Mortgage: In the event of foreclosure, whether judicially or extrajudicially,
of any mortgage on real estate which is security for any loan or other credit accommodation
granted, the mortgagor or debtor whose real property has been sold for the full or partial
payment of his obligation shall have the right within one year after the sale of the real
estate, to redeem the property by paying the amount due under the mortgage deed, with
interest thereon at the rate specified in the mortgage, and all the costs and expenses
incurred by the bank or institution from the sale and custody of said property less the
income derived therefrom. However, the purchaser at the auction sale concerned whether in
a judicial or extrajudicial foreclosure shall have the right to enter upon and take possession
of such property immediately after the date of the confirmation of the auction sale and
administer the same in accordance with law. Any petition in court to enjoin or restrain the
conduct of foreclosure proceedings instituted pursuant to this provision shall be given due
course only upon the filing by the petitioner of a bond in an amount fixed by the court
conditioned that he will pay all the damages which the bank may suffer by the enjoining or
the restraint of the foreclosure proceeding.
Notwithstanding Act 3135, juridical persons whose property is being sold pursuant to an
extrajudicial foreclosure, shall have the right to redeem the property in accordance with this
provision until, but not after, the registration of the certificate of foreclosure sale with the
applicable Register of Deeds which in no case shall be more than 3 months after foreclosure,
whichever is earlier. Owners of property that has been sold in a foreclosure sale prior to the
effectivity of the GBL shall retain their redemption rights until their expiration.[36]
Loan to Banks
The guiding principle for loan on banks is enunciated in Section 81 of NCBA which reads,
The rediscounts, discounts, loans and advances which the BSP is authorized to extend to
banking institutions under the provisions
of the present article of this Act shall be used to influence the volume of credit consistent
with the objective of price stability.
Other Functions
UB and CB may also exercise any of the following functions:
Receive in custody funds, documents and valuable objects;
Act as financial agent and buy and sell, by order of and for the account of their customers,
shares, evidences of indebtedness and all types of securities;
iii. Make collections and payments for the account of others and perform such other services
for their customers as are not incompatible with baking business;
Upon prior approval of the MB, act as managing agent, adviser, consultant of administrator
of investment management/advisory/consultancy accounts; and
Rent out safety deposit boxes.
Prohibited Acts
GBL prohibits banks from directly engaging in insurance business as insurer.[37]
Directors, officers, employees, or agents of any bank are prohibited from:
(1) Making false entries in any bank report or statement or participating in any fraudulent
transaction, thereby affecting the financial interest of, or causing damage to, the bank or
any person;
(2) Without order of a court of competent jurisdiction, disclosing to any unauthorized person
any information relative to the funds or properties in the custody of the bank belonging to
private individuals, corporations, or any other entity: Provided, That with respect to bank
deposits, the provisions of existing laws shall prevail;
(3) Accepting gifts, fees or commissions or any other form of remuneration in connection
with the approval of a loan or other credit accommodation from said bank;
(4) Overvaluing or aiding the overvaluing of any security for the purpose of influencing in
any way the actions of the bank or any bank; or
(5) Outsourcing inherent banking functions.[38]
iii. Outsourcing per BSP Circular 268 (2000)
Section 2.1 Outsourcing of inherent banking functions shall refer to any
contract between the bank and a service provider for the latter to supply the manpower to
service the deposit transactions of the former.
Section 2.2 Banks cannot outsource management functions except as may be authorized by
the Monetary Board when circumstances justify.
Section 3. Outsourcing of Information Technology Systems/Processes. Subject to prior
approval of the MB, banks may outsource all information technology systems and processes
except for functions excluded in Section 3.1.
Section 3.1 Functions affecting the ability of the bank to ensure the fit of
technology services deployed to meet its strategic and business objectives
and to comply with all pertinent banking laws and regulations may not be outsourced.
Subject to prior approval of the MB, consultants and/or service providers may be engaged to
provide assistance/support.
Section 4. Outsourcing of Other Banking Functions.
Section 4.1 Subject to prior approval of the MB, banks may outsource data
imaging, storage, retrieval and other related systems; clearing and processing of checks not
included in the Philippine Clearing House System; printing of bank deposit statements.
Section 4.2. Banks may outsource credit card services; printing of bank
loan statements and other non-deposit records, bank forms and promotional materials;
credit investigation and collection; processing of export, import and other trading
transactions; transfer agent services for debt and equity securities; property appraisal;
property management services; messenger, courier and postal services; security guard
services; vehicle service contracts; janitorial services.
Section 5. Service Providers. When allowed by law and under this circular,
banks may enter into outsourcing contracts only with service providers with demonstrable
technical and financial capability commensurate to the services to be rendered.
Prohibited Transactions of Borrowers of Bank: borrowers of banks are prohibited from

Fraudulently overvaluing property offered as security for a loan or other credit

accommodation from the bank;
Furnishing false or misrepresenting or suppressing material facts for the purpose of
obtaining, renewing, or increasing a loan or other credit accommodation or extending the
period thereof;
Attempting to defraud the said bank in the event of a court action to recover a loan or other
credit accommodation; or
Offering any director, officer, employee or agent of a bank any gift, fee, commission, or any
other form of compensation in order to influence such persons into approving a loan or other
credit accommodation application.[39]
Ownership of Banks
Foreign Ownership[40]
 As to their stockholdings, foreign individuals and non-bank corporations may own or
control up to forty percent (40%) of the voting stock of a domestic bank. This rule shall apply
to Filipinos and domestic non-bank corporations.
The percentage of foreign-owned voting stocks in a bank shall be determined by the
citizenship of the individual stockholders in that bank. The citizenship of the corporation
which is a stockholder in a bank shall follow the citizenship of the controlling stockholders of
the corporation, irrespective of the place of incorporation.
NB: Foreign banks are not subject to the 40% limitation prescribed under Sec. 11 of the GBL.
R.A. 7721 prescribes 60% are the maximum foreign bank equity. Sec. 73 of the GBL also
allows the acquisition beyond the 60% limit within a period of seven years from the
effectivity of the GBL.
Filipino Stockholdings
Section 11 of the GBL applies to Filipinos and domestic non-bank corporations.
NB: The restriction applies on foreigners in terms of their total equity participation, while it
applies to individual equity participation to Filipinos and non-bank corporations.
Stockholdings of Family Groups and related interests
There is no prohibition against stockholding of family groups or related interests.
What GBL imposes is that stockholdings of individuals related to each other within the fourth
degree of consanguinity or affinity, legitimate or common-law, shall be considered family
groups or related interests and must be fully disclosed in all transactions by such an
individual with the bank.[41]
In addition, two or more corporations owned or controlled by the same family group or same
group of persons shall be considered related interests and must be fully disclosed in all
transactions by such corporations or related groups of persons with the bank.
Directors and Officers
Composition of Board
Section 15 of the GBL provides for the composition of the BOD: there shall be at
least five (5), and a maximum of fifteen (15) members of the board of directors of bank, two
(2) of whom shall be independent directors.
An independent director shall mean a person other than an officer or employee of the
bank, its subsidiaries or affiliates or related interests. (n)
Non-Filipino citizens may become members of the board of directors of a bank to the extent
of the foreign participation in the equity of said bank. (Sec. 7, RA 7721)
Section 19 of GBL imposes a prohibition on public officials, such that no appointive or
elective public official, whether full-time or part-time shall at the same time serve as officer
of any private bank, save in cases where such service is incident to financial assistance
provided by the government or a government-owned or controlled corporation to the bank
or unless otherwise provided under existing laws.
Meetings
Section 15 of the GBL also provides that the meetings of the board of directors may
be conducted through modern technologies such as, but not limited to, teleconferencing and
video-conferencing.
Qualifications
Section 16 of the GBL provides the Fit and Proper Rule which states that to
maintain the quality of bank management and afford better protection to depositors and the
public in general, the Monetary Board shall prescribe, pass upon and review the
qualifications and disqualifications of individuals elected or appointed bank directors or
officers and disqualify those found unfit.
After due notice to the board of directors of the bank, the Monetary Board may disqualify,
suspend or remove any bank director or officer who commits or omits an act which render
him unfit for the position.
In determining whether an individual is fit and proper to hold the position of a director or
officer of a bank, regard shall be given to his integrity, experience, education, training, and
competence.
NB: Sec. 19 of the GBL prohibits appointive or elective public official, whether full-time
or part-time, from serving as officer of any private bank, save in cases where:
Such service is incident to financial assistance provided by the government or a GOCC to the
bank;
Unless otherwise provided in the Rural Banks Act; or
Unless otherwise provided under existing laws.

Liquidity and Security

For purposes of maintaining liquidity and security, GBL and the New Central Bank Act
provide regulations relating to loans and other matters:
The Monetary Board shall prescribe the minimum ratio which the net worth of a bank must
bear to its total risk assets which may include contingent accounts.[42]
The law imposes limits on loans, credit accommodations and quarantees that may be
extended by banks.
Limitation is placed on banks exposure to DORSI.[43]
The law imposes restrictions on the value of collaterals on loans.
The law may provide for restrictions on unsecured loans.[44]
MB may prescribe maturities and other terms and conditions for various types of loans and
accommodations.[45]
The law prescribes restrictions on dividend declrations.[46]

Ownership of Real Property

Section 51 of the GBL provides that any bank may acquire real estate as shall be
necessary for its own use in the conduct of its business. However, the total investment in
such real estate and improvements thereof, including bank equipment, shall not exceed fifty
percent (50%) of combined capital accounts. It must be noted however that the equity
investment of a bank in another corporation engaged primarily in real estate shall be
considered as part of the banks total investment in real estate, unless otherwise provided
by the Monetary Board.

In Section 52, however, of the GBL, a bank may acquire, hold or convey real property under
the following circumstances:
Such as shall be mortgaged to it in good faith by way of security for debts;
Such as shall be conveyed to it in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in the course of
its dealings; or
iii. Such as it shall purchase at sales under judgments, decrees, mortgages, or trust deeds
held by it and such as it shall purchase to secure debts due it.

Any real property acquired or held under the circumstances enumerated in the above
paragraph shall be disposed of by the bank within a period of five (5) years or as may be
prescribed by the Monetary Board. After said period, the bank may continue to hold the
property for its own use, subject to the limitations of the preceding Section.

Trust Operations of Banks

Applicable Rules

NB: Art 1442 of the Civil Code states that the principles of the general law of trusts,
insofar as they are not in conflict w/ the Civil Code, the Code of Commerce, the Rules of
Court and special laws (including the GBL) are hereby adopted.
Prudent Man Rule
A trust entity shall administer the funds or property under its custody with the diligence that
a prudent man would exercise in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with
similar aims.[47]
iii. Self-Dealing Rule
The GBL provides, as a general rule, that no trust entity shall, for the account of the trustor
or the beneficiary of the trust,
purchase or acquire property from, or sell, transfer, assign or lend money or property to, or
purchase debt instruments of any of the departments, directors, officers, stockholders, or
employees of the trust entity
relatives within the 1st degree of consanguinity or affinity, or the related interests, of such
directors, officers and stockholders,
Except:
the transaction is specifically authorized by the trustor, and
the relationship of the trustee and the other party involved in the transaction
is fully disclosed to the trustor or beneficiary of the trust prior to the transaction.[48]
Prior Authority
Only a stock corporation or a person duly authorized by the MB to engage in trust business
shall act as a trustee or administer any trust or hold property in trust or on deposit for the
use, benefit, or behalf of others. For purposes of the GBL, such a corporation is referred to as
a trust entity.[49]
Trust Business
A trust business is any activity resulting from a trustor-trustee relationship (trusteeship)
involving the appointment of a trustee by a trustor for the administration, holding,
management of funds and/or properties of the trustor by the trustee for the use, benefit or
advantage of the trustor or of others called beneficiaries.[50]
Powers
A trust entity, in addition to the general powers incident to corporations, shall have the
power to:
Act as trustee on any mortgage or bond issued by any municipality, corporation, or any body
politic and to accept and execute any trust consistent with law;
Act under the order or appointment of any court as guardian, receiver, trustee, or depositary
of the estate of any minor or other incompetent person, and as receiver and depositary of
any moneys paid into court by parties to any legal proceedings and of property of any kind
which may be brought under the jurisdiction of the court;
Act as the executor of any will when it is named the executor thereof;
Act as administrator of the estate of any deceased person, with the will annexed, or as
administrator of the estate of any deceased person when there is no will;
Accept and execute any trust for the holding, management, and administration of any
estate, real or personal, and the rents, issues and profits thereof; and
Establish and manage common trust funds, subject to such rules and regulations as may be
prescribed by the MB.
Separation of Trust Business of Banks
Section 87 of the GBL requires that the trust business and all funds, properties or securities
received by any trust entity as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, receiver, or
depositary shall be kept separate and distinct from the general business including all other
funds, properties, and assets of such trust entity. The accounts of all such funds, properties,
or securities shall likewise be kept separate and distinct from the accounts of the general
business of the trust entity
Conservatorship
Section 67 of the GBL provides that the grounds and procedures for placing a bank under
conservatorship, as well as, the powers and duties of the conservator appointed for the bank
shall be governed by the provisions of Section 29 and the last two paragraphs of Section 30
of the New Central Bank Act: Provided, That this Section shall also apply to conservatorship
proceedings of quasi-banks.
Grounds
Whenever, on the basis of a report submitted by the appropriate supervising or examining
department, the Monetary Board finds that a bank or a quasi-bank is in a state of continuing
inability or unwillingness to maintain a condition of liquidity deemed adequate to protect the
interest of depositors and creditors, the Monetary Board may appoint a conservator with
such powers as the Monetary Board shall deem necessary.[51]
Powers of Conservatorship[52]
Take charge of the assets, liabilities, and the management thereof,
Reorganize the management,
iii. Collect all monies and debts due said institution, and
Exercise all powers necessary to restore its viability.
Receivership and Liquidation
The grounds and procedures for placing a bank under receivership or liquidation, as well as
the powers and duties of the receiver or liquidator appointed for the bank shall be governed
by the provisions of Secs. 30, 31, 32, and 33 of the NCBA: Provided, That the petitioner or
plaintiff files with the clerk or judge of the court in which the action is pending a bond,
executed in favor of the BSP, in an amount to be fixed by the court. This shall also apply to
the extent possible to the receivership and liquidation proceedings of QBs. (Sec. 69)