Pursuant to Monetary Board Resolution No. 1504 dated 13 September 2013, to further define benchmarks and establish a robust pricing and valuation standard for debt securities, the market valuation of government securities are hereby amended as follows:

Section 1. Appendix 33a of the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB) and Appendix Q-20a of the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions (MORNBFI) on market valuation of government securities are hereby amended to read as follows:

œx x x

œD. Peso-Denominated Government Securities

œThe benchmark or reference prices shall be based on the weighted average of done or executed deals in a trading market registered with the SEC. In the absence of done deals, the simple average of all firm bids per benchmark tenor shall be used in calculating the benchmark; Provided, That the simple average of all firm offer per benchmark tenor shall likewise be included as soon as permissible under securities laws and regulations.

œx x x

œOther Guidelines

œThe basis for the market valuation of non-benchmark securities shall be the same as those used in Peso-Denominated Government Securities in Section D above. In the absence of both done and bid rates, interpolated yields derived from the benchmark or reference rates in accordance with the BSP-approved guidelines for computation of reference rates in Section D above shall be used.

œx x x 

Section 2. Subsections X410.10 of the MORB and 4410Q.10 and 4910N.10 of the MORNBFI on œOther Related Guidelines on Valuation of Allowable Investments  are hereby amended to read as follows:

œa. In pricing debt securities, the provision of Appendix 33a/Appendix Q-20a under the œOther Guidelines  section shall apply for non-benchmark securities.

œx x x 

This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) calendar days following its publication either in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.

FOR THE MONETARY BOARD:

(SGD) AMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR.
Governor