The Central Bank of the Philippines published preliminary data showing outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks expanded by 10.3 percent year on year in October, easing from 10.5 percent in September. On a seasonally adjusted basis, outstanding loans increased by 0.6 percent month on month. Loans to residents grew by 10.9 percent, unchanged from the prior month, while loans to non-residents fell by 11.1 percent after a 2.9 percent decline in September. Loans for business activities rose by 9.1 percent, with lending increasing across real estate (9.9 percent), electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply (24.8 percent), wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (11.7 percent), financial and insurance (8.5 percent), information and communication (8.2 percent), and transportation and storage (13.0 percent). Consumer loans to residents grew by 23.1 percent, slightly slower than 23.5 percent, covering credit card, motor vehicle and general-purpose salary loans. The central bank reiterated that it monitors bank lending as a key transmission channel of monetary policy and will seek to keep domestic liquidity and lending conditions consistent with its price and financial stability mandates.