As a testament of CPSC”s flexibility and commitment to contribute to human resources development of its member countries, it has successfully organized another program on “Advanced Bank Management” designed for Nepalese bankers and personnel on October 11-15, 2022. The program was organized in cooperation with the Banking and Finance Institute of Nepal (BFIN), Ltd., which also facilitated a similar program back in 2019.

The program involved the participation of 9 banking personnel from the following Nepalese banks: Nepal Investment Bank, Ltd., Agricultural Development Bank, Ltd. and Kumari Bank, Ltd.,

The 4-day program aimed to instill an understanding of leadership challenges, professional accountabilities and responsibilities of a Board Member of financial institutions. They were also exposed to the emerging trends and directions in the finance industry in the Philippines or across the globe. The lectures were designed for them to be able to comprehend the future leadership challenges emanating from the development of technology, and other external and internal environmental factors. They also learned about the technology development, risks and challenges in the financial sector, skills necessary for them to be prepared as leaders ready to cope with the digital world of tomorrow.

The program supervisors were Prof.G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General and Dr. Binod Atreya, Managing Director of BFIN. Program resources were coordinated by Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan, Senior Faculty Specialist. Some of the presentations were delivered by Prof. Richard S. Javier, MBA-SA, Director of the Human Resource and Development Office, University of the Philippines Manila.

The program commenced with an Opening Ceremony held on October 11, 2022. During this event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between CPSC and BFIN which strengthens both parties’ continued commitment towards the skills development of banking and finance personnel of BFIN.

CPSC and BFIN Officials during the MoU signing (from left to right): Mr. Jan Michael Marasigan, CPSC Executive Secretary; Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General; Mr. Binod Atreya, Managing Director of BFIN and Mr. Bijendra Suwal, Deputy General Manager- Executive Operations Officer of Nepal Investment Bank, Ltd.

Topics related to Leadership, ICT and Digital Technology, Stress and Conflict Management, Talent Management, Coordination and Team Building formed the bulk of classroom discussions organized by CPSC resource persons.

A team from the Central Bank of the Philippines delivered two general topics through Zoom. The first topic was entitled “General Banking Environment: Trends and Challenges in the Philippines” which was discussed by Mr. Alvin Joshua Fama, Bank Officer V under the Supervisory Policy and Research Department (SRD). The second presentation was on “Managing System Risks: From Concepts to Execution”, which was delivered by Dr. Johnny Noe E. Ravalo, Senior Assistant Governor from the Office of Systemic Risk Management (OSRM). Following the lectures, an open forum ensued where the participants were able to ask some questions to the resource persons including Director of SPRD Ms. Maria Cynthia M. Sison.

An onsite visit to ASA Philippines, a microfinance company, was embarked on October 13, 2022 in which the delegation was welcomed by Ms. Maria Regina L. Pacifico, Executive Vice President (Head of Operations) and other ASA Philippines staff. Aside from microfinancing, the delegation discussed assets and liabilities management especially on their primary services such as financing, capital build-up (CBU) and locked-in capital build-up (LCBU).

In addition to the classroom sessions and technical visits, the team was also able to visit some of the key tourist sites in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, particularly the notable waterfalls around Rizal Province, as well as some tourist sites in Manila’s Bay area.

Visit of the delegation to ASA Philippines in Ortigas, Pasig City
An exercise during the activity on effective communication and HR Management