Iloilo continues to serve as the economic driver of Western Visayas, hosting the vast majority of the region’s expanding banking, payment, and financial services network, according to the latest figures from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Central bank data as of June 2026 showed that operating banks across the region (excluding Negros Occidental and Bacolod City) rose to 597 units from 582 in the same period last year.
Iloilo anchored this growth, accounting for nearly 60 percent of all regional banking facilities with 350 operating units.
In comparison, Capiz recorded 88 banks, Antique logged 72, Aklan registered 71, and Guimaras accounted for 16.
The overall regional bank footprint is comprised of 229 rural and cooperative banks, 196 universal and commercial banks, and 172 thrift banks.
Iloilo also captured the largest share of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the region, housing 468 out of the total 810 physical cash terminals.
Aklan followed with 136 ATMs, Capiz with 116, Antique with 71, and Guimaras with 19.
Across the region, the BSP also recorded 912 pawnshops and 348 money service businesses.IMT
