The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) supervises all the banks and their financial allied subsidiaries and

affiliates (except insurance companies), non-stock savings and loan associations, and pawnshops in the
Philippines.
The Philippine banking system is made up of six types of banks – Universal, Commercial, Thrift, Rural,
Cooperative, and Islamic Banks
These banks are differentiated to the types of activities that they may undertake.

1. Universal Bank – offer the widest variety of services among all financial institutions in the
Philippines today. In addition, only banks under this category can engage in the functions of an
investment house such as underwriting. Universal banks can also invest in equities of non-allied
undertakings
a. BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO
b. Union Bank
c. Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI)
d. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company
e. Landbank of the Philippines

2. Commercial Bank – offer the same variety of banking services offered by universal bank.
However, it cannot engage in underwriting and other functions of an investment house.
a. East west
b. Bank of Commerce (A subsidiary of San Miguel Corp)
c. Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCOM)
d. Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)
e. Maybank Philippines, Inc.

3. Thrift Banks
₋ Composed of savings and mortgage banks, private development banks, stock savings and
loan associations and microfinance thrift banks
₋ Accumulates the savings of its depositors and invests it
a. Robinsons Bank
b. PS Bank
c. BPI Family Savings Bank
d. RCBC Savings Bank
e. PNB Savings Bank
4. & 5.
Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks have similarities in that they serve rural communities.  They lend
money to farmers, fishermen, merchants, cooperatives, and owners of small business operations in their
areas on reasonable terms.
The rule or rural and cooperative bank is to promote and expand the rural economy in an orderly and
effective manner by providing the people in the rural communities with basic financial services.
They differ in type of ownership
Rural banks are owned and managed by private entities or individuals.
Cooperative banks are owned, organized, and managed by cooperatives or federation of cooperatives.
 a. Dumaguete Rural Bank Inc. (DRBI)
b. Katipunan Bank, Inc.
c. Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, Inc.
d. Cooperative Bank of Cotabato
e. Cooperative Bank of Cebu
f. Cooperative Bank of Bohol

6. Islamic Banks - Such banks conduct business in accordance with the principles of the Shari’a, or
Islamic Law. Their objectives and operations do not involve interest, or riba, which is prohibited
by the Shari’a. 
Islamic banks are expected to give Muslim Filipinos greater access to banking products and
services. Their establishment is seen as a big step in the financial inclusion mandates of the BSP.
a. Islamic Bank of the Philippines
b. Amanah Islamic Bank