Alfonso L. Salcedo, Jr., BPI executive vice-president and head of corporate banking, said, “We’ve been talking about the second half. The battleground will really be in lending, both on corporate and consumer lending.â€
“Among corporates, the sentiment is still optimistic. We continue to see industry loan growth to be mid-teens. This is probably sustainable, and in the medium or long term, that is healthy,†he said, adding that BPI’s corporate lending will probably be a “bit faster†than the industry average but will still be “around those levels.â€
Mr. Salcedo noted growing interest in the Philippines among Japanese, Korean and American firms, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
“The renewed interest in economic zones is expanding and firms are moving some production lines from China and Thailand, adding the Philippines as another production center,†he said.
BPI shares closed at P89.10 apiece yesterday, down P5.30 from their close of P94.40 last Friday. Trading was suspended on Monday and Tuesday due to the heavy rains, while Wednesday was a holiday marking Ninoy Aquino Day. -- Diane Claire J. Jiao
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