The Land Bank of the Philippines is further expanding its retail lending programs as it intensifies its support for small farmers and fishers.
“As we seek to reach more farmers nationwide, we are heavily focusing on making retail loans accessible, especially to those who are not members of associations or cooperatives and are unable to obtain loans from formal lending institutions on their own,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.
While it continues to channel financing support to the sector through partner conduits such as farmers and fishers’ cooperatives, irrigators’ associations, and countryside financial institutions, the Bank is aggressively strengthening its retail lending programs to provide more individual borrowers with direct access to credit.
LANDBANK-funded programs
A newly-enhanced direct lending program is the Accessible Funds For Delivery to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (AFFORD-ARBs) Program, which will specifically cater to ARBs engaged in production of rice, corn, and high-value crops. The loan can also be used for the acquisition of small farm implements.
The Program is a partnership with the Department of Agrarian Reform, which will provide the Bank with a list of ARBs and mobilize borrowers for loan orientation and financial literacy seminars prior to loan release to ensure ARBs are equipped with the basic knowledge to manage their finances and learn about farm planning and budgeting.
LANDBANK also implements the Empowering Barangays in Remote Areas through Credit and Enterprise (EMBRACE), a direct lending program with relaxed features and requirements for small farmers and fishers, as well as microenterprises and small enterprises (MSEs) in unserved municipalities. Eligible projects include agricultural crop, livestock, and fishery production, as well as agri-enterprise and other livelihood projects.
Support for National Government Programs
LANDBANK also continues to strengthen its partnership with the Department of Agriculture as it implements retail lending programs for farmers, in pursuit of the government’s thrust towards improved agricultural productivity.
A continuing partnership with DA is on the implementation of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) – a special purpose fund which aims to increase the productivity of individual farmers and fishers, and their cooperatives and associations, as well as MSMEs, through credit assistance. Since the Program was launched in 2018, LANDBANK has already released P96.6 million in loans to 172 borrowers, which helped finance their crop production requirements and purchase of agri-machineries, equipment, and facilities.
In line with the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, the Bank also works with DA on the Expanded Rice Credit Assistance under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. LANDBANK and the Development Bank of the Philippines will each make P500 million in credit assistance available to small palay farmers. The financing assistance will come with minimal interest rate and minimum collateral requirements.
LANDBANK also continues to implement the Sikat Saka Program, which provides direct credit and integrated support services to small palay and corn farmers who are members of Irrigators Associations or endorsed by Farmers Organizations. Sikat Saka covers 45 major rice-producing provinces and 11 corn-producing provinces in the country.
Since its launch in 2012, the Program has already benefited 16,174 small farmers, with cumulative loan releases at P8.535 billion as of end-April. Outstanding loans of 9,630 farmers as of the same period amounted to P909.93 million. Farmer-borrowers are likewise trained on credit discipline and financial management to teach them how to save, pay loans on time, and better manage their finances.
Also a continuing program is the Socialized Credit Program under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) – a direct lending program funded by the Sugar Regulatory Administration specifically targeted at individual sugarcane farmers, block farms, and common service centers. As of April 2019, the Program has so far benefited 276 borrowers, with cumulative loan releases amounting to P27.738 million.
“We continue to place utmost priority on providing responsive and relevant programs, especially to our priority sectors, as we work towards promoting growth that is inclusive and sustainable, especially in the countryside,” Borromeo added.
Apart from credit support, LANDBANK also provides technical assistance such as financial literacy and capability-building seminars to make sure borrowers are equipped with basic financial knowledge that will allow them to optimize their loans to improve their income and boost their productivity.
LANDBANK remains the biggest credit provider to small farmers and fishers among government financial institutions.
LANDBANK named among Top GSEDs, earns three honors from BTr
LANDBANK was recognized as one of the Top 10 Government Securities Eligible Dealers (GSEDs) for 2025, and received two special awards as Top Retail GSED for Online Transactions (Highest Volume) and GSED with the Highest Auction Share of Treasury Bonds during the 128th Anniversary Celebration of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) and GSED Awarding Ceremony 2025 held on 25 November 2025 in Intramuros, Manila. (Left photo) National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza (4th from left) presented the award to LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (3rd from left), joined by Deputy Treasurers Eduardo Anthony G. Mariño III (leftmost), Ma. Nanette C. Diaz (2nd from left) and Kenneth Ian A. Francisco (rightmost), together with Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano (2nd from right) and LANDBANK First Vice President Ma. Francia O. Titar (3rd from right). "This award recognizes the crucial role of GSEDs in the country’s financial ecosystem. By mobilizing savings and channeling them into government securities, we help secure funding for national priorities while empowering Filipinos to participate directly in nation-building," said LANDBANK President Ortiz.
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LANDBANK advances sustainable, inclusive agri growth at Terra Madre 2025
LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (left photo) engages local enterprises and food sustainability advocates while highlighting the Bank’s P2M QR payment facility and AGRISENSO Plus program during Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 event from November 19 to 23, 2025 in Bacolod City. LANDBANK reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a sustainable and resilient food system across the country by showcasing its integrated financing programs, capacity-building initiatives, and digital solutions through its support of the inaugural Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025, held from November 19 to 23, 2025 in Bacolod City. Terra Madre Asia & Pacific, part of the global Slow Food Movement, brought together over 2,000 farmers, fishers, international chefs, indigenous leaders, and advocates from across the region to promote “good, clean, and fair” food, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems. “LANDBANK and Slow Food aligns with sustainable and inclusive agriculture. Through this partnership, we aim to further strengthen local food systems, empower our farmers and fishers, and help ensure that every Filipino has access to nutritious, clean, and fairly produced food,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. The Slow Food movement, founded in Italy in 1989, is dedicated to protecting local food cultures, traditional farming practices, and biodiversity. It champions food that is good in quality and taste, clean in its respect for the environment, and fair in terms of pricing and conditions for producers. Today, Slow Food is a global network present in more than 160 countries, working with diverse communities to promote sustainable, community-centered food systems. Reena Gamboa, Slow Food advocate and Executive Director of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific, emphasizes her commitment to good, clean, and fair food for all—advocating for active support for farmers and safeguarding our environment to ensure everyone has access to proper, sustainable food. “Good, clean, and fair food for all is a universal right. To achieve this, we must protect our biodiversity and environment, as this principle is inseparable from supporting our farmers and ensuring everyone has access to proper, quality food,” said Reena Gamboa, Terra Madre Executive Director. Building on these principles, LANDBANK’s agricultural programs aim to strengthen connections across the value chain. The Bank’s financial and digital services complement community-led efforts by providing stakeholders—from producers to processors to markets—with the tools and support that they need to thrive. LANDBANK’s participation as a key sponsor of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 further reflects its support for Slow Food initiatives, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient, community-driven value chains. Integrated support for farmers and fishers On November 20, LANDBANK First Vice President Allan R. Bisnar introduced AGRISENSO Plus, the Bank’s flagship lending program which delivers comprehensive value-chain support by integrating credit, technical assistance, and digital solutions, along with free life and credit life insurance. The program is designed to empower small farmers and fishers, offering customized financing, market linkages, and data-driven insights to boost productivity and efficiency. AGRISENSO Plus features a reduced fixed interest rate of 3% per annum for small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), with competitive rates for associations, cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), large enterprises, anchor firms, and agriculture graduates. “AGRISENSO Plus reflects our commitment to strengthening the entire agricultural value chain. By combining accessible financing, capacity-building, and digital solutions, we are enabling our farmers and food producers to thrive in a rapidly changing environment and ensuring that local food systems remain resilient and sustainable,” LANDBANK PCEO Ortiz emphasized. Complementing the Program is the LANDBANK ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development), a capacity-building initiative that provides training in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development. As of September 2025, LANDBANK has released over ₱1.96 billion in loans under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, supporting more than 12,300 borrowers nationwide, most of whom are small farmers and fishers, following successful rollouts in key agricultural hubs across Pampanga, Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Bukidnon, Iloilo, Palawan, and Negros Occidental. Driving inclusion and digital adoption LANDBANK also showcased its digital innovations, particularly the P2M (Person-to-Merchant) QR payment facility recently launched in Negros Occidental. This interoperable solution allows consumers to enjoy waived transfer fees for purchases of ₱500 and below using QRPh-P2M via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, other banking apps, or digital wallets. LANDBANK P2M merchants, on the other hand, benefit from waived transaction fees, which encourages the adoption of digital payments. This provides farmers, MSMEs, and local enterprises with a faster, more secure, and more convenient way to receive payments—reducing cash-handling risks and expanding digital inclusion in agricultural communities. Business owners can simply enroll their existing LANDBANK accounts, with activation completed within 24 to 48 hours. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the country, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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Honored among the world’s best: LANDBANK earns global recognitions for banking excellence and leadership in 2025
LANDBANK has earned seven major distinctions from leading global financial publications in 2025, recognizing its exceptional performance in inclusive finance, institutional banking, investment banking, and the visionary leadership of its President and CEO. Affirming its leadership in financial inclusion and its stature in the banking industry, the state-run Bank earned a spot on the Forbes World’s Best Banks 2025 list, ranking 5th among nine Philippine banks recognized by the global media company, in partnership with Statista. LANDBANK was also included in the Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025 list, placing 4th in the Philippines and 187th out of 900 organizations worldwide, underscoring its strong workplace culture, employee engagement, and commitment to public service excellence. LANDBANK was likewise named Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion and Best Investment Bank for Debt Capital Markets (DCM) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, in recognition of its pivotal role in structuring and facilitating debt financing across various sectors, and its commitment to reaching and serving underserved sectors and communities. The Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) Awards also cited the Bank for expanding customer access through innovative, customer-centered services, with the Domestic Retail Bank of the Year – Philippines award. Beyond these institutional distinctions, LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz received two major leadership recognitions in 2025 – as Best New Banking CEO for 2025 by the Global Banking & Finance (GBF) Awards, citing her transformational leadership and measurable impact in strengthening the Bank’s financial performance and credibility. Fortune Magazine also recognized PCEO Ortiz as one of Asia’s Most Powerful Women in 2025, ranking 3rd in the Philippines and 72nd on the worldwide list and highlighting her influential leadership in advancing inclusive finance, digital transformation, and public service innovation. “These recognitions reflect LANDBANK’s intensified focus on inclusive banking, digital transformation, and service excellence. They are a testament to the dedication of all Landbankers nationwide, whose collective efforts empower our clients and communities while advancing the nation’s broader development goals,” said PCEO Ortiz. Sustaining Support to Nation-Building LANDBANK continues to deliver on its dual mandate as a development and universal bank by channeling its financial strength toward national growth. This year, LANDBANK declared ₱33.53 billion in cash dividends to the National Government — the highest in its history and among all government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) — on the back of its strong financial performance. Through its flagship AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, the Bank strengthens access to affordable and responsive financing for small farmers, fishers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses. The Program features a lowered interest rate of 3% per annum and simplified application processes, allowing borrowers to secure the capital they need to adopt modern farm practices, scale production, and enhance their overall competitiveness. Complementing its loan support is the ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support thru Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development) Program, which provides training in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development, aimed at empowering borrowers to become full-fledged agripreneurs. Inclusive Banking for Every Filipino LANDBANK continues to expand its reach through its “phygital” strategy, seamlessly integrating its physical presence with advanced digital channels. This approach ensures a secure and convenient banking experience while serving the underserved and unbanked. The Bank also recently piloted its Person-to-Merchant (P2M) QR payment facility in Negros Occidental, enabling farmers and MSMEs to conduct safe, cashless transactions. The Bank maintains a nationwide network of 10,582 customer touchpoints, including 609 branches, 60 lending centers, 3,244 automated teller machines (ATMs), 236 cash deposit machines (CDMs), and 1,091 LANDBANKasama partners, ensuring financial access even in the most remote communities. Customers can also transact free of charge at over 3,800 7-Eleven ATMs nationwide through the Bank’s partnership with Pito Axm Platform, Inc. (PAPI). ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the country’s largest government financial institution promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces, the Bank remains steadfast in providing accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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