Philippines Boosts Bond Liquidity with Interest Rate Swaps Market

The Philippine financial market is set for a significant boost with the launch of an interest rate swaps market, anchored to the Philippine Overnight Reference Rate (ORR). This development, spearheaded by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), aims to enhance bond market trading and liquidity, fostering a more dynamic financial landscape.

The enhanced Peso Interest Rate Swap (Peso IRS) market, which went live on Monday, November 18, 2024, is expected to promote the development of yield curves and support the pricing requirements of short-term credit instruments, such as loans. BAP Open Market Committee chair Paul Favila underscored the market's potential, stating that it aims to "promote development of yield curves to further support the pricing requirements of short-term credit instruments, such as loans, in the market."

Sixteen banks, including prominent players like Banco de Oro, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Metrobank, will serve as market-makers, quoting two-way prices for short- and long-term swaps against the Philippine ORR. This will ensure pricing across maturities from one month to 10 years, enhancing interest rate transparency and market depth.

The launch of the Peso IRS market is a significant step towards boosting trading and liquidity in the domestic bond market. BSP Governor Eli Remolona expressed excitement about the development, stating that it will help create a benchmark yield curve, making it easier for banks and other lenders to price loans at various maturities. This, in turn, will benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and consumers seeking loans, as interest rates will become more transparent and predictable.

The enhanced Peso IRS market is part of a broader plan to deepen local capital markets, enhance savings and investment, and promote sustainable growth. The BSP is also working on adopting Global Master Repurchase Agreement contracts, allowing banks to access treasury bonds for repo transactions, further boosting the government securities repo market.

In addition to the Peso IRS initiative, the BSP is collaborating with the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) to streamline tax procedures for residents of 43 countries covered by tax treaties. The BTr is also creating more liquid benchmarks by concentrating issuance and bond reopenings in a few selected maturities.



The launch of the Peso IRS market comes on the heels of the Philippines' re-inclusion in JPMorgan's Bond Index, which is expected to boost investor interest, drive down borrowing costs, and improve bond market liquidity. Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto expressed confidence that the inclusion would open up $10 billion to $12 billion in new portfolios in the government bond market.

The enhanced Peso IRS market, coupled with other initiatives aimed at bolstering the Philippine capital market, is poised to drive economic growth and development. With improved access to capital, lower borrowing costs, and enhanced savings and investment opportunities, the Philippine economy can look forward to a more prosperous future.

In conclusion, the launch of the Peso IRS market is a pivotal moment for the Philippine financial market. By fostering a more liquid and transparent bond market, this development will benefit both investors and borrowers, driving sustainable growth and job creation. As the Philippine economy continues to grow, the enhanced Peso IRS market will play a crucial role in facilitating access to capital and promoting a more dynamic financial landscape.