More banks open branches in WV; almost half are in Iloilo

Nearly half of the bank branches in Western Visayas are operating in the province and city of Iloilo, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – Visayas Regional Office (BSP-VRO).

Based on data from BSP-VRO, the region has 788 branches of commercial, universal, thrift, rural and cooperative banks as of June this year, higher compared to 777 last year.

BSP-VRO Regional Economic Affairs Staff Head Gregorio Baccay III attributed the increase mainly to the resurgence of economic activities in the region.

Of the latest figure, 317 are operating in Iloilo, 247 in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, 81 in Capiz, 65 in Aklan, 63 in Antique, and 15 in Guimaras.

The number of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the region also increased to 1,213 this year from 1,206 a year ago.

Negros Occidental accounted for 455 of the ATMs. Iloilo came in second with 431, followed by Aklan with 132; Capiz, 105; Antique, 71; and Guimaras, 19. IMT