Is the Bank Lending Channel of Monetary Policy Evident in the Philippines? A Dynamic Panel Data Approach*

The paper examines the bank lending channel of the monetary transmission mechanism in the Philippines. Using the dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) model on quarterly individual bank data from Q1:2006 to Q4:2017, the study finds that the bank lending channel of monetary policy in the Philippines is rather weak as highly liquid banks tend to react more to monetary tightening than less liquid banks. More liquid banks would rather hold their stock of liquid assets as buffers against crises than sustain or expand their lending activity amid monetary tightening. Banks are also risk-sensitive in their lending behavior as the increase in the cost of borrowing following tighter monetary policy could increase the likelihood of loan default. The banks' cautious lending behavior supports the policy stance of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in terms of prudent regulatory standards to maintain the resilience of the Philippine financial system.