The global effort to ensure financial products and services are accessible to populations in unserved and underserved regions has posed inherent difficulties for banks and financial institutions. This challenge arises from inadequate information about suitable locations for establishing physical branch office operations that are both viable and sustainable.Focusing on the Ortigas commercial business district (CBD) in Metro Manila, Philippines,as the case study area, the key operating environment factors,particularlythe presence of anchor institutions, land use commercial potential, and fully developed road network,were identified through the key informant interviews. A chronological analysis spanning different periodswas conducted to examine and confirm the influence of thementioned factors on the entry, expansion, and concentration of bank branchesin the CBD.Additionally, the study exploredthe contributionof central bank policies, specifically liberalization measures, tolocation-specific restrictions regarding branch expansion in key cities within Metro Manila. The findings highlight the significance of these location-decision factors and policy interventions in informing the planning of financial districts at the local government unit level, irrespective of their financial inclusion status.Furthermore, the research elucidates the interconnections between these operating environment factors and their role in shaping the urban form of the CBD. The influx of anchor institutions or customers, driven by these factors, serves as primary sources ofbranch deposits, underscoring the importance of strategic planning and policy frameworkdevelopmentin promoting financial inclusion and urban development.