BAIPHIL CONTINUES TO CHAMPION INDUSTRY-WIDE BANKING EDUCATION
Incumbent BAIPHIL president Liza Ortiz summarizes the institute’s achievements since she took office in July.
*Article Courtesy of Mr. Epi Fabonan (First Published in the Philippine Star, March 10, 2017)
Banking is a highly dynamic industry. With the constant change in financial products and services brought about by market demands, regulatory pronouncements, and technology advancements, as well as the accompanying risks, the banking industry constantly needs to keep pace to address the consequent challenges. Among other “musts”, bank personnel have to be kept informed of the progress in the industry through proper education and training.
At the forefront of continuing education in the Philippine banking industry is the 76-yearold Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL). First founded in 1941 as the National Association of Bank Auditors and Comptrollers (NABAC), it has evolved into a prestigious and respectable bankers’ organization, its membership comprised of bank professionals serving in different capacities in their respective institutions.
Recognized by no less than the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as the educational arm of the banking industry, BAIPHIL provides quality training to empower bankers and keep them abreast with the latest developments and innovations in the field. To supplement the formal trainings and seminars, BAIPHIL provides its members with daily market updates on relevant industry news, as well as monthlies/quarterlies on legal/regulatory issuances and soft skill bulletins.
MEETING THE INDUSTRY’S BEST MINDS
Biennially, BAIPHIL holds its National Convention, which is now on its 29th year. The event gathers banking professionals, executives, regulators and innovators to share their knowledge and expertise through a series of talks, panel discussions and
trade exhibits. This year’s National Convention will be held beginning today until tomorrow at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, with the theme, “Leveraging Capabilities and Synergies for Banking Excellence.”
“The National Convention has always been an important highlight of our membership in BAIPHIL because it is an opportunity for us to come together and equip ourselves with the necessary tools to capture opportunities, respond well with the looming threats and challenges, and at the same time, foster camaraderie among the participants” says BAIPHIL president Liza Ortiz.
She adds that the different BAIPHIL committees really leveraged on their skills, resources and close working relationship to find the best speakers and prepare for the best National Convention yet.
Highlighting this year’s National Convention is keynote speaker Senate President Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III, who will talk about fiscal, judicial and tax reforms and its role in promoting inclusive growth, especially under the Duterte Administration’s agenda of promoting rural development and growth. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez will also grace
the convention to talk about the key role of banks in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
On the regulators’ side, featured speakers include Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., on the impact of the ASEAN Economic Integration to Philippine banking, while BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo will present some of the critical economic challenges facing policymakers today. BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr., meanwhile, will give a discourse on financial innovation and technology.
The panel sessions will include banking industry leaders: EastWest Bank president and CEO Antonio Moncupa, Jr., Union Bank president and COO Edwin Bautista and PNB Savings Bank president Jovencio Hernandez for the session on Bank of the Future and
Retail Banking Innovation; and Security Bank FVP and chief compliance officer Dante Fuentes, BSP Deputy Director Melchor Plabasan, and Information Security Officers Group president Joey Regala for the session on Cyber Security Landscape.
Sharing their expertise and insights as well are MasterCard Southeast Asia VP Kelvin Lee and Fr. Armand Robleza of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco. There will also be six technical breakaway sessions on electronic channels and payments;
digitization and productivity, cybersecurity and anti-fraud and risk management and analytics which participants can attend.
Another feature of the convention is a photo exhibit on the shortlisted entries to “Beyond Banking: The Search for the Best CSR Project,” with the winners announced tomorrow, March 11. “This kind of convention will help promote readiness and responsibility in our industry, given the general direction that the banking industry is taking toward innovation, cybersecurity and financial inclusion,” says Ortiz.
BAIPHIL’S MISSION: TRAINING AND EDUCATION
BAIPHIL fulfills its mission to train and educate banking professionals through its various course offerings. Throughout fiscal year 2016-2017, BAIPHIL’s various course committees have conducted 60 training sessions participated in by more than 2,500 professionals.
Among the well-attended courses are on Operations & Technology, Governance, Legal & Compliance, and Risk Management. Seminars
on Business & Products, Finance & Audit, and Soft Skills are also provided throughout the year.
To further expand the range of its offerings, development is underway for a BAIPHIL Professional Certification Program Framework for finance and audit professionals and practitioners.
BAIPHIL is also working on its accreditation with the Professional Regulation Commission’s Board of Accountancy to be a provider of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for certified public accountants (CPA).
“I would say, in terms of quality, we have a rich resource of talents that have the proper training and have actual experience in the courses they teach. BAIPHIL’s training professionals ensure that the participants’ understanding of
each course is not just theoretical but practical,” Ortiz says on what sets apart BAIPHIL’s training program.
TAKING UP IMPORTANT ISSUES
BAIPHIL also champions industry-wide banking education through its monthly General Membership Meetings, which are geared toward information sharing on banking, financial and economic issues, developments and trends.
Since the start of the current fiscal year, seven GMMs have been held, including the inaugural GMM in July 2016 with BSP
Governor Tetangco. On August 2016, Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. president Cristina Orbeta updated BAIPHIL members on the new PDIC charter. In September, Transportation Undersecretary for Road and Infrastructure Analie Lontoc gave BAIPHIL members a clearer view of the state of urban traffic congestion in the country and ways in which the government is addressing it.
The following month, BSP Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla expounded on the state of the economy under the Duterte
Administration, including possible scenarios based on the first 100 days of the government. In November, Philippine Clearing
House Corp. president and CEO Emmanuel Barcena discussed the developments beyond check truncation, which include
innovations in efficient and cost-effective trade and exchanges.
At the beginning of 2017, BAIPHIL welcomed Finance Undersecretary for Revenue Operations Group Antonette Tionko, who discussed the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform. And, in February 2017, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle
talked about Christian Life Integration in the Workplace.
“The topics discussed in our GMMs are highly relevant because we are a member of a community. And being a member of the
community, we must be aware of the current events and issues that affect the banking industry so that we can adapt and respond to it in the right way,” says Ortiz.
GIVING BACK
It’s not all banking and financial matters at BAIPHIL. Its members, through the Special Projects Committee (SPC), also take time to give back to the larger community it serves.
BAIPHIL regularly conducts its Financial Education Program with the BSP, pursuant to its advocacy to improve financial
literacy and education in the Philippines. Beneficiaries include teachers and parents of public school children, OFW families, and residents of Payatas communities who are members of social enterprise Rags2Riches.
To raise funds for the FEP, BAIPHIL conducted the firstever Street Dance Challenge with participants from Land Bank of the Philippines, Bank of Commerce, CARD SME Bank, Inc., The Bank of Tokyo–Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., RCBC Savings Bank, EastWest Bank,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Union Bank of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. BPI emerged as the champion in the event, with BSP and HSBC as first and second runner-up, respectively.
In November 2016, BAIPHIL launched Beyond Banking: The Search for the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project. It aims to providea venue to recognize and promote the member institutions’ CSR projects that can also serve as an inspiration to the rest of the banking community.
On April 1, 2017, the SPC will spearhead its annual Medical, Dental and Surgical Mission in Bayambang, Pangasinan. Organized in partnership with SM Foundation, the local government and the provincial hospital, the mission aims to provide medical assistance and promote health in economically challenged communities.
With BAIPHIL’s successful leveraging of its resources, people and capabilities, the banking industry robustly stands tall in the face of an everchanging landscape. With its continuous championing of industry-wide education, banking professionals across the country can better serve their clientele and reach more unbanked sectors of our society, thus, paving the way for greater financial inclusion and economic growth.
