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]

1. Banks

1. 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 Bañas 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:

1. 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]
2. 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]
3. 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]
4. Thrift Banks – banks that include savings and mortgage banks, private development banks, and
stock savings and loan associations.
5. Cooperative Banks – banks that primarily provide financial, banking and credit services to
cooperative organizations and their members.[16]
6. Islamic Banks – Charter of Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines.[17]
7. Other classification of banks as determined by the Monetary Board (MB) of the BSP.

UNIVERSAL BANKS COMMERCIAL BANKS

As to Powers

1. The powers authorized for a Commercial
Bank;
2. The powers of an investment house
as provided in existing laws;
3. The power to invest in non-allied
enterprises as provided in the GBL. (Sec.
23)
4. THE GENERAL POWERS INCIDENT TO
CORPORATIONS,
5. ALL SUCH POWERS AS MAY BE NECESSARY
TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF
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 the
account of others;
6. act as managing agent, adviser, consultant
or administrator of investment
management/advisory/-consultancy
accounts;
 COMMERCIAL BANKING, SUCH AS 7. rent out safety deposit boxes; and
ACCEPTING DRAFTS AND ISSUING LETTERS 8. engage in quasi-banking functions.
OF CREDIT; DISCOUNTING AND
NEGOTIATING PROMISSORY NOTES,
DRAFTS, BILLS OF EXCHANGE, AND OTHER
EVIDENCES OF DEBT;
6. 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 A CB MAY INVEST ONLY IN THE EQUITIES

 Allied (either financial or non-financial) and
non-allied enterprises. (sec. 24), except as
the Monetary Board 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)
 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

Equity Investments in Financial Allied Enterprises

A UB CAN OWN UP TO 100% OF THE EQUITY IN A KB MAY OWN UP TO 100% OF THE EQUITY OF
1. A thrift bank, 1. A thrift bank or
2. A rural bank or 2. A rural bank. (sec. 31)
3. A financial allied Enterprise. (sec. 25)
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)

Equity Investments in Non-Financial Allied Enterprises

A UB OR CB MAY OWN UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE

EQUITY IN A NON-FINANCIAL ALLIED ENTERPRISE. (SEC. 26 AND 32)

A UB OR CB MAY OWN UP TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE

EQUITY IN A NON-FINANCIAL ALLIED ENTERPRISE. (SEC. 26 AND 32)

Equity Investments in QBs

TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE MB MAY FURTHER LIMIT TO 40%
EQUITY INVESTMENTS OF UBS AND

CBS IN QBS. (SEC. 28)

TO PROMOTE COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS, THE MB MAY FURTHER LIMIT TO 40%
EQUITY INVESTMENTS OF UBS AND

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 Borrower’s 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 bank’s 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 bank’s 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)