Preliminary data show that domestic liquidity (M3) expanded by 8.5 percent year-on-year to about P12.1 trillion in October 2019, faster than the 7.7-percent growth in September.
On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 increased by 0.9 percent.
Demand for credit remained the principal driver of money supply growth. Domestic claims grew by 6.7 percent in October from 7.5 percent in the previous month due mainly to the sustained growth in credit to the private sector.
Loans for production activities continued to be driven by lending to key sectors such as real estate activities; financial and insurance activities; construction; electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply; and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Loans for household consumption increased due to the growth in motor vehicle loans, credit card loans, and salary-based general purpose consumption loans during the month.
Meanwhile, net claims on the central government grew by 6.5 percent in October from 6.0 percent in September, reflecting the increased borrowings by the National Government.
Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms expanded by 9.6 percent in October from 8.3 percent in the previous month. T
he BSP’s NFA position increased during the month, supported by foreign exchange inflows coming mainly from overseas Filipinos’ remittances, business process outsourcing receipts, and foreign portfolio investments.
Similarly, the NFA of banks increased as their foreign assets grew as a result of higher loans and investments in marketable debt securities.
