Data on the operations and total resources of banks in the province show, to some extent, indicators of the status of its economy. The growth in the number of operating banking institutions gives insights on the pace at which business and trade grow. Statistics on total loans show not only the volume of capital lent to the entrepreneurs, merchants, consumers, agriculture and industrial sectors but also the rate of return of their loan investments. Indeed, the banking sector plays a vital role in the development of productive activities of proprietors or corporate institutions in the area. The presence and accessibility of establishments providing these services to existing and prospective investors contribute to the realization of programs and projects aimed at industrial and entrepreneurial advancement.

This chapter presents data on the number of offices of the financial institutions in the Western Visayas region and the province of Negros Occidental, the selected balance sheet accounts as well as the income and expenses accounts. The sources of data are the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Regional Social and Economic Trends 2007 published by the National Statistics Board (NSCB), Region VI.