The Central Bank of the Philippines released preliminary data showing outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks expanded by 10.3% year on year in November, with seasonally adjusted lending rising by 0.9% month on month. Loans to residents grew 10.7%, slightly slower than 10.9% in October, while outstanding loans to non-residents fell 4.5% after an 11.1% contraction in the prior month. Business loans increased 9.0%, led by lending growth to electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply (26.6%), transportation and storage (12.7%), wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (11.6%), real estate activities (9.0%), information and communication (7.0%), and financial and insurance activities (3.5%). Consumer loans to residents rose 22.9% (from 23.1%), covering credit card, motor vehicle and general-purpose salary loans; the loan series excludes banks’ reverse repurchase agreements with the central bank. The central bank reiterated that it monitors bank loans as a key monetary policy transmission channel and will keep domestic liquidity and bank lending conditions aligned with its price and financial stability objectives.