Other antitrust authorities are also beginning to recognize the specificity of the banking sector and, as in Canada, have issued special instructions for the evaluation of bank mergers. The growth in competition has continued in the decade that is drawing to a close.
On behalf of the members of the Monetary Board as well as the men and women of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, I thank all our stakeholders, the media, and other special guests for joining us this morning.