Bank Marketing — Breakthroughs and Break Through
Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) greeted the year with its annual Summit — a gathering of bank marketing communications professionals aimed at sharing the latest trends in the field of marketing.
Held last January 30 at the Renaissance Hotel with over XX guests and XX banks represented. The event was graced by Gov Amando Tetangco Jr who delivered the keynote address and also led the oath taking of the 2008 BAMP Board of Directors. Elected president is Mike Villa-Real, VP of Philippine Veterans Bank.
Guest speakers during the Summit were Miguel Ramos, President of Aspac/Law, who shared about Breakthroughs in creative thinking. Baby Sto. Domingo and Palo Lacuna from Globe Telecoms spoke on the latest in mobile advertising that allows for very targeted one to one advertising approach and the latest innovations in remittances through mobile phones.
Afternoon speakers included Yayu Javier from Avanza who spoke on the breakthroughs in CRM and the power of an organized customer database. Junie del Mundo from EON Stakeholder and Relations Firm shared the strategic approach in branding the Philippines as a major tourist destination. His talk went beyond the rudiments of marketing but even our roles as Filipinos in marketing our own country.
Finally, the event was concluded by one of the most relevant topics that is like a test of fire for marketing communications practitioners — crisis communications. This was delivered by one of the most respective personalities in the field, Gina Virtucio, famous for her stint at WG & A.
Asia Pacific Bankers Congress 2005
in Manila
The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) and
Options Information Company (OIC) recently signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) for the hosting of the Asia Pacific Bankers
Congress (APBC) in Manila on June 16-17, 2005.
The APBC is presented annually by the Asian Bankers Association
(ABA) and its organizer, Options Information Company, together
with the leading bankers' organization in the host country.
The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines is the organizing
partner of ABA and OIC for this year's conference. The APBC,
which brings Worldwide Bank Management Thinking and Experience
to bankers in Asia, likewise serves as an annual review and
update on best banking practices from worldwide sources. Over
300 delegates from 22 countries are expected to participate
in this event.
Photo shows OIC Chairman and Conference Director, Ashok K.
Nath (2nd from left) and BMAP president Roberto F. Banaag of
Plantersbank (2nd from right) signing the MOU. Also in photo
are BMAP directors Ma. Joyce G. Zarate of United Overseas Bank
(left), and Ana Belen F. Castelo of the Philippine National
Bank (right).
Photo shows (l-r): BMAP Director Ma. Joyce G. Zarate of United
Overseas Bank, OIC Event Coordinator Rose Jean Pormicelle, OIC
Chairman and Conference Director, Ashok K. Nath, BMAP President
Roberto F. Banaag of Plantersbank, and BMAP Director Ana Belen
F. Castelo of the Philippine National Bank.
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AUB introduces the real package
deal
Asia United Bank introduces an extraordinary business checking
account that brings a whole slew of cash management solutions
at the disposal of the business client.
The AUB BizKit Checking Account combines all the essential
cash management tools that a business client will need in one
checking account, thereby freeing up a business client from
maintaining and monitoring several bank accounts just to keep
up with its cash handling requirements.
Five (5) essential cash handling tools are provided in one
package, all of which are indispensable in keeping the financial
processes uncomplicated. These are: Payroll Organizer, a system
for payroll processing which includes timekeeping and attendance
monitoring; Check Maker, a system that automates check preparation
and disbursement; CheckBanker, a facility that tracks the client's
post-dated checks and allows AUB to safekeep and deposit them
to the client's account as checks fall due; SSS Remitter, an
online payment system for SSS contributions; and Financial Helper,
which shows an integrated summary of accounts payables and accounts
receivables enabling client to know, at a glance, his business'
financial status or cash position in a given period.
Whether a business client has immediate need for one or all
of these automated cash handling tools, these are automatically
made available to the client upon opening an AUB BizKit Checking
Account.
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PNCC Skyway Corp., UOB & Bancnet
launch ATM e-Pass Reload Project
E-Pass users can now reload their transponders through the ATMs
of United Overseas Bank Philippines and other BancNet member
banks. Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Wang Lian
Khee of United Overseas Bank Philippines and Chairperson Josefina
Aquino of the PNCC Skyway Corporation (PSC) have formalized
an agreement for UOB to be the exclusive depository of PSC's
ATM E-Pass Reload Project with BancNet.
Flanking
the top officials are UOB's EVP Emmanuel Mangosing (front row,
L) and PSC's General Manager Romerico Reganit (front row, R).
Also in the ceremonies were (Back row, L-R) UOB's FVP for Branch
Banking Max Estrada, Regional Manager Romy Pangan, IT Head Cecill
Irigo, Ayala Alabang Branch Head Liza Opulencia, and PSC's Purchasing
Head, Joel Cabacungan, Customer Service and Business Center
Operations Head Erwin Naguit and Consultant Romy Coronado.
An e-Pass accountholder who wishes to reload thru this facility
may go to any UOBP Unilink ATM or other Bancnet member ATMs
and follow these simple steps:
1. Insert your UOBP UNILINK or other BancNet ATM Card in the
ATM and enter your ATM Personal Identification Number (PIN).
2. From the menu, select BILLS PAYMENT.
3. From Bills Payment, select UTILITIES/EPASS.
4. Choose the PSC-EPASS option, then enter 555, followed by
the last six digits of your e-Pass Account Number. (Should you
need to check your e-Pass Account Number, just call 776-7676)
5. Key in the amount you wish to load, plus transaction fee
of P10. For example, if you want to load P1,000 --- key in P1,010.
6. Select the Account (Savings or Checking) where you want
your payment deducted.
7. A transaction receipt showing the amount you keyed in,
will be dispensed. Keep it for reference.
The reload amount will be credited to the e-Pass Account by
the PNCC Skyway Corporation on the next day. If one reloads
on a weekend or a holiday, the amount can be credited to the
e-Pass after one banking day.
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Philippine Veterans Bank mid-year
profit up by 3.54%
Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) Philippine
Veterans Bank (PVB) reported a net income of P114.64 for the
first half of 2004. An increase of 3.54% compared with the P110.72
for the same period last year.
PVB President & CEO Ricardo A. Balbido, Jr. attributed the
increase in income to higher interest from loans, and investments
in Government Securities and higher gains from disposal of foreclosed
properties. “I am optimistic that PVB will surpass last
year’s net income of P227.9 Mn. and will meet the full-year
annual income targets,” Mr. Balbido also said. “The
bank also managed to increase its business with the private and
government sectors”, he added.
Total assets were at P15.79Bn as of June 30, 2004, higher than
the P 15.11Bn posted as of December 31, 2003. Total capital accounts
stood at P3.74Bn, resulting in a capital adequacy ratio of 36.98%,
still way above the BSP’s 10% minimum requirement.
As of the same period, PVB maintained an NPL ratio of 8.3%,
one the lowest among local banks, and an NPL coverage ratio of
almost 70%.
PVB recently opened its Madaluyong branch and will soon open
its C. M. Recto branch in Davao City. With a total network of
43 branches and extension offices nationwide, PVB is currently
intensifying its branch development program to further reach
out to government and private sectors. PVB continuously enhances
its bank-wide technology systems necessary to provide quality
banking services to the growing needs of its clients.
For the second half of 2004, PVB President Balbido said that
the Bank projects a moderate movement in market conditions. “However,
there is a strong possibility that the economy will grow faster
next year”, said Balbido. “ It is our advantage that
although we are a private commercial bank, we are authorized
to accept government funds.” “We are broadening our
product lines and offer a more competitive rates in order to
adequately capture both the private and government markets. We
intend to advance our trade business with rural, development & thrift
banks as well”, added Balbido.
Headed by Chairman Emmanuel V. De Ocampo, Philippine Veterans
Bank is uniquely owned by some 300,000 WW2 veterans and their
heirs and 20% of its net profit is given yearly to projects
and programs which benefits them and their families.
For any questions or clarifications, please call:
Mike Villa-Real
Assistant Vice-President
Philippine Veterans Bank - Corporate Communications Dept.
Telefax: 751-8577
Email: mcvillareal@veteransbank.com.ph
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Opening new investment possibilities
For the longest time, saving up for the future in the
Philippines has been equated with putting money in a time deposit
account. The liberalization of capital and financial markets, however,
is changing that.
At the forefront of this evolving landscape is the
International Exchange Bank (iBank) Trust Center, a business unit that
specializes in holistic money management and developing alternative
investment products.
"The iBank Trust Center's approach to money management
involves understanding the individual financial needs of investors and
looking for the best performing investments in the market that help
achieve those needs. We don't just sell savings products to investors.
We help them achieve an end. That end could be to retire comfortably,
to buy a car, or their dream house or send their kids to a good school," says
Michael Garcia who heads the Trust Center.
But noble as these intentions may be, the immediate future
for fund managers like Garcia will be an uphill climb.
Overcoming Road Blocks
One of the biggest challenges facing the Philippine fund
management industry today is that fund managers must contend with the
prevailing investor paradigm of earning fixed and guaranteed interest
rates-of-return that are devoid of risk.
"Majority of Filipino investors starts off at the same point
- they want to earn high rates of return but are unwilling to shoulder
any or completely ignore associated risks. The onus is upon fund
managers to educate the market that achieving above average rates of
return, or perhaps meeting a long-term financial goal, necessarily
entails taking risks. We have to develop that level of sophistication
and make a big push to educate and re-educate the market," Garcia
explains.
As is the case with most industries, educating the market
can be a costly endeavor. But for those with a positive outlook on the
future of the country, it may be an undertaking that will be well worth
the trouble.
"We have everything in place to catapult the country into
major development. The only thing holding us down is poor sentiment.
If we are able to overcome that then we can expect everything to take
off and match the development of our Asian neighbors. We're not
apprehensive about spending on the education of investors because we
believe our efforts will eventually pay-off," Garcia assesses.
Investment 101
And just like learning about any complicated matter, it is best to start
off with the basics.
"
Financial planning is infinitely more complex than putting your savings
in a time deposit. In managing portfolios to achieve financial goals,
we try to come up with the right mix of investments - bonds, equities,
and real estate, for example - that suit the risk tolerance, time
horizon and other constraints of an investor" says Garcia.
The iBank Trust Center currently offers two Unit Investment
Trust Funds (UITF) that cater to investors with a low to moderate risk
appetite, who desire fixed income returns that are higher than
traditional time deposits. iFund Silver and iFund-Philippine Dollar
Bond Portfolio seek higher-yielding debt securities while limiting
downside risk.
By pooling together the funds of various investors in a UITF and
collectively investing these in various instruments such as treasury
bonds, treasury notes, treasury bills and commercial papers, the Trust
Center achieves two goals.
First, the economies-of-scale work in favor of retail investors giving
them access to investment opportunities that give better yields. Left
on their own as retail investors, they can hardly come up with the
critical investment mass needed to gain deeper and cheaper access to
bond markets. Second, investing in a diversified portfolio reduces
risk.
" Investors must never lose sight of the reality that all investments
carry a certain amount of risk. The most obvious signal of risk is the
rate-of-return (i.e. the higher the rate-of-return quoted, the higher
the risk). But having said that, they must also understand that there
are ways to reduce risk."
" We all know that saying about not putting all our eggs in one basket.
A properly diversified portfolio spreads out the risk of loss across
several instruments with differing pay-off possibilities. This limits
the volatility of the portfolio's overall returns," says Garcia.
How the iBank Trust Center Works
At the iBank Trust Center, Garcia heads a team of portfolio
managers who constantly monitor financial markets and analyze customer
needs gathered through surveys. These raw data are used to make
portfolio management decisions and develop new investment products
tailor-fitted to clients' requirements.
" We have access to some of the best performing investments in the
market. Most individuals will not even hear about the juiciest
securities on-offer in the market. We constantly analyze market
information and juxtapose this with client objectives. The process
allows us to make asset allocation decisions that optimize the
risk-reward trade-off," Garcia reveals.
Garcia, a graduate of IESE in Barcelona, one of Europe's top
5 MBA schools, possesses international finance experience from previous
stints at Citibank N.A. and General Motors in Europe. He approaches
fund management as both a science and an art. A science in that it
deals with volumes of hard statistics; an art in that data must be
meshed with a reading of local and international sentiments to project
where the market will go in the future.
It is a prerequisite that members of the iBank Trust Center
team be well-versed in portfolio management theory and practice. Two of
them, including Garcia, share the distinction of being charter-holders
of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, a globally
recognized standard for measuring the competence and integrity of
investment professionals.
The CFA designation, held by most of Wall Street's top
investment professionals, is conferred through a series of examinations
by the Association for Investment Management and Research, an
international organization of more than 60,000 investment practitioners
and educators in over 100 countries. To date, there are only about 50
CFA charter-holders in the Philippines.
Competing for the Future
Having to compete in a new but growing field, Garcia says
that the iBank Trust Center sets itself apart through its service and by
being future-oriented.
"When clients come to us, we are determined to give them the
best service they have ever experienced. We offer them products that
are cutting-edge, products with the right features, because we are doing
things for the future," Garcia reveals.
"Investment management in the Philippines is at a relatively
underdeveloped state. There are some real hurdles that we need to clear
in the area of investor education before investment products that don't
carry guaranteed rates of return can garner mass appeal. We are here
because we believe that in the future, Filipinos will approach investing
and financial planning with the same level of sophistication as
investors in first-world countries," he concludes.
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Metrobank Group donates P10 million to Bayanihan Fund
Metrobank
Group,
which includes among others Toyota Motor
Philippines
Corp., Philippine Savings Bank, First Metro Investment
Corp., Philippine
Axa
Life, and Mirant Global Corporation, donated P10 million
to the
Bayanihan
Fund recently in a concrete show of support to the Filipino
people and
the
government. Metrobank chairman Mr. George S.K. Ty said
the Group hopes "
that this contribution will jumpstart the growth of the
Bayanihan Fund
and
help in addressing the immediate needs of the country."
Mr. Ty (left) turned over the donation to (from left, second)
Finance
Secretary Juanita Amatong, National Treasurer Mina Figueroa,
and
Executive
Secretary Eduardo Ermita. Mr. Ty was assisted by Metrobank
president
Mr.
Antonio Abacan, Jr (right).
Aside from this corporate donation, employees of the
Metrobank Group of
companies also responded with their personal donations
of more than
P300,000.
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RCBC
puts banking at fingertips
Clients of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) can now use the BancNet
SMS banking facility to pay their bills via short messaging service
(SMS) – commonly
known as text messaging.
RCBC is the first among BancNet’s member banks to launch the
consortium’s SMA banking facility, which is designed to enable
bank depositors to transact business without physically showing up
at the bank.
“SMS Banking is a very convenient way of doing bank transactions
that should enable our depositors to pay their bills with just a few
taps on their phone keypads,” said RCBC president Francisco S.
Magsajo Jr.
“Since many Filipinos own cell phones and use text messaging
heavily, we expect a significant number of our depositors to resort
to this very accessible channel and enjoy the benefits of mobile phone
banking,” he added.
With RCBC’s SMS Banking, a depositor can do basic banking transactions – settle
credit card and utility bills, inquire about account balance, transfer
funds, and even purchase pre-paid accounts through Bancnet’s
SMS banking facility.
To register, log on to www.bancnetonline.com and click on the registration
button on the main menu. Enter your card number, member number, and
mobile phone number based on the format provided. Using the on-screen
keypad, enter your four-digit ATM-PIN to get your confidential Mobile
Personal Pin (MPIN) and Account Key. To transact, type KEYWORD, your
MPIN, Account Key, and other necessary details and send to 2956 for
Globe subscribers.
Interested parties can visit any RCBC Business Center or contact
RCBC at 894-9577. They can also visit www.rcbc.com, www.bancnetonline.com,
or e-mail customercontact@rcbc.com.
