A clear indicator of the rural banking sector’s strength is its strong capital position: its capital adequacy ratio at 13.8% as of September 2008 remains well above the BSP’s mandatory standard of 10%. Of course, your CAR remains a bit lower than that for our thrift banks and universal/commercial banks.
Still, 13.8% CAR of rural banks compares well with the overall CAR of the banking sector in Malaysia with at 12.6% and Korea with 11.2%. BIS Review 63/2009  1  And so, ladies and gentlemen, let us celebrate the continued growth and development of the Philippine rural banking sector with a long round of applause!