What is BSP MORB?
Last updated: 2026-05-04 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
The Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB) is the consolidated rulebook issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governing universal, commercial, thrift, rural, and cooperative banks. Its non-bank counterpart is the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions (MORNBFI). Both are updated continuously through BSP Circulars; the live HTML edition is published at bsp.gov.ph.
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Frequently asked
Does the MORB cover online lending apps?
No. Most stand-alone online lending platforms are SEC-registered financing companies, not BSP-supervised banks; they fall under SEC MC 18 and the SEC's lending-company rules. The MORB applies to bank-affiliated digital lenders.
How is the MORB updated?
Through numbered BSP Circulars. Each Circular amends specific MORB sections; the live HTML edition incorporates these amendments and shows the issuance history at the foot of each section.
Where do I find a specific BSP Circular?
BSP publishes every Circular at bsp.gov.ph/Regulations/Issuances/{year}/{circular_no}.pdf — for example, Circular 1160 on consumer protection is at /Issuances/2022/1160.pdf.
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More questions
Where do I find BSP Circulars?
BSP publishes every Circular at bsp.gov.ph/Regulations/Issuances/{year}/{circular_no}.pdf. The MORB live HTML edition incorporates Circular amendments and shows the issuance history per section.
- Source:BSP — MORB
Does the MORB cover online lending apps?
No. Most stand-alone online lending platforms are SEC-registered financing companies, not BSP-supervised banks; they fall under SEC MC 18 and the SEC lending-company rules.
- Source:SEC Memorandum Circular 18, s. 2019
- Source:BSP — MORNBFI
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