A steady, sustainable growth story; an underbanked population; a key player in the Asean region; solid financial regulation; an embracing of PPPs to tackle huge infrastructure needs; and a nascent asset management industry. The Philippines is awash with opportunity for lenders, but who will take advantage? 

Amando Tetangco, the governor of the Philippines' central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, talks to Stefania Palma about how in a post-financial crisis, globalised world, conventional central banking is no longer enough.

A strong economy and good governance have helped maintain healthy profitability at most of the Philippines' largest lenders, but with plans to establish a semi-integrated regional banking industry among the Association of South-east Asian Nations members – which would pit local institutions against much more mature banks – many are looking to diversify, both in terms of the products they offer and the customer base they serve.

The Banker’s Finance Minister of the Year awards celebrate the officials who managed to restore economic stability and even growth to their countries following a turbulent few years.

The Philippines has enjoyed a lot of success in growing its microfinance market and pursuing financial inclusion. Moreover, widening the banking base has arguably had a positive effect on the country's overall financial stability.

The healthy state of the Philippines economy is down to a combination of factors, according to the country's central bank governor, Amando Tetangco. He tells The Banker how he is working to emulate 2012's success in 2013 and beyond.

The days of the Philippines being one of Asia's underachievers are looking to be a thing of the past, according to the country's finance secretary, Cesar Purisima. The secret to the island nation's success, he tells The Banker, is good governance and a president that the country can unite behind.

Confidence is running high in the Philippine banking sector as the country enjoys low interest rates and improved stability. But with the 2015 deadline for the economic integration of the Association of South-east Asian Nations approaching, increased competition and a reshaping of the market seems inevitable.

Cesar Purisima, the finance secretary of the Philippines discusses tthe changing role of the Asian Development Bank and recent changes in the Philippines' financial environment.