This book examines the trends in Philippine banking regulation in the past 25 years. In particular, it notes that the Philippines has followed a policy of despecializaiton in the banking sector by widening the range of permissible activities and bank products to enhance competition and efficiency, beginning with the introduction of universal banking in 1980. However, there has been no corresponding adjustment or change in the regulatory framework until very recently. The book then raises the issue of the appropriate institutional structure for financial sector regulation.