You are all too familiar about the mainstream and "big" universal banks, and most likely already have an account with one. But the banking system is much wider and bigger than that. There are many much smaller banks in other parts of the Philippines - rural banks and cooperative banks.

For this week, please give an example of one rural bank or cooperative bank based in the Philippines. Give a quick overview and description of the rural or cooperative bank and its business. Compare it with a universal bank you know of, and give three (3) reasons/qualities that differentiate your choice of rural or cooperative bank from the universal bank