Archives for 2006
FMMRB Disclaims the White Paper Being Circulated
FATF AML/CFT Evaluations and Assessments Handbook for Countries and Assessors
Download Handbook
Comments on BSP’s Reducing Restrictions on Bank Branching
Comments on BSP’s Reducing Restrictions on Bank Branching in Support to Microfinance Development
The rural banking system is ideally situated and structured to evolve into the most sustainable microfinance provider in the Phil countryside. While many NGOs have successfully grown their portfolios and outreach through the years, they remain hampered by the fact that as NGOs, they are not allowed to accept deposits per se, like the rural banks, and therefore are unable to mobilize savings from the public, to channel to the growing needs of the MF sector. External funding from donors is slowly dwindling and costs of borrowings,even from a dynamic govt. agency like the PCFC, is much higher (13% vs. deposit costs of 1.5 – 4%, if internally generated)
35 RB Directors Completed Corporate Governance & Risk Management Course
Last 17-18 March 2005, RBRDFI held its 28th Seminar-Workshop on Corporate Governance and Risk Management for RB Directors at RBAP Conference Room, Intramuros, Manila. Thirty-five (35) incoming and incumbent directors completed the said seminar.
The 2-day seminar-workshop created an air of understanding among the participants on their huge role as rural bank directors and in discerning the risks that may be deterrent to the smoothness of the rural bank operation. Moreso, the same instilled the appropriate course of actions and decisions that may be done in the context of fairness, accountability and transparency.
Mr. Nestor Z. Flores, Vice President for Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Human Resource Management Group, lectured on the Corporate Governance with full enthusiasm. Ms. Irene D.L. Arroyo, East West Bank VP-Treasurer, gave her thorough insights on Risk Management. BSP Examiners Ms. Cheryl Lyn R. Hernandez and Mr. Christopher L. Malaluan, both Specialist II of the Supervision and Examination IV of the BSP, supervised the two-day seminar.
Mr. Ace Calang and Ms. Jackie Lou E. Echon, Research and Training Associates of RBRDFI, facilitated the course.
In view, below is the list of the participants:
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* Undertook Remedial Session
27th Corporate Governance & Risk Management Seminar-Workshop Commends 29 RB Directors
Twenty-nine (29) incoming and current directors from major rural banks graced and completed the 27th Seminar-Workshop on Corporate Governance and Risk Management held at the RBAP Conference Room in Intramuros last February 17-18, 2005.
The seminar-workshop simply aims to build a healthy and a competitive banking system. To achieve this, the rural bankers must learn to understand the presence of risks in every step of the decision-making process, and as such, they should not take these risks loosely. This further entails the provision of a sound judgment by the rural bankers through the principles of fairness, accountability and transparency.
The informative and lively Mr. Nestor Z. Flores, Vice President for Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (PDIC) Human Resource Management Group, lectured on Corporate Governance. Ms. Irene D.L. Arroyo, East West Bank VP-Treasurer, delivered direct-to-the-point insights on Risk Management. BSP Examiners Mr. Rholyn R. Dayrit and Ms. Michelle J. Fernando, both Acting Bank Officers I of the Supervision and Examination Department IV of BSP, supervised the two-day seminar-workshop.
In view, the list of the participants are:
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* Completed Remedial
Ms. Cristine Charisse V. Fernando and Mr. Ace Calang, RBAP Research Associates, facilitated the two-day event.
Central Banker: FAQs on Lending Investors, Financing Companies and Pawnshops
OF LIs, FCs and PAWNSHOPS
Source: Central Banker, A Publication of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Sept.-October 2004 Vol. II Nos. 9 and 10
| Following are some of the basic questions often asked of lending investors (LIs), financing companies (FCs) and pawnshops. Lending investors (LIs) are in the business of granting direct loans to the public. Does BSP then supervise operations of LIs? No. BSP does not supervise the operations of LIs as there is no specific law granting BSP supervisory powers over LIs. Does BSP grant LIs their license or permit to operate? While LIs grant direct loans to the public, they do not engage in financing operations like discounting, factoring and leasing activities, primary functions allowed only of financing companies under Republic Act 5980. LIs cannot undertake these FC activities without proper authority from the SEC. LIs are not allowed to accept personal items, e.g., jewelry, precious stones as pledge or securityto the loan since these are pawnbroking activities. An LI is not allowed to engage in operations of a pawnshop and vice versa. Does BSP supervise financing companies (FCs)? FCs are generally supervised by the SEC. In what way is BSP involved with FC operations Under existing law, BSP has supervision over FCs that are granted BSP authority to engage in quasi-banking function or borrow from the public. These are known as “NBQBs” or “quasi-banks.” The BSP also has supervision over FCs that are subsidiaries or affiliates of banks or NBQBs that are engaged in allied activities. What then is the concern of BSP regarding non-bank financial intermediaries (NBFIs), e.g. LIs and FCs, that are not affiliates of banks or NBQBs? Where will the pawshop secure a license? |
RBAP STRATEGIC PLAN
2010 VISION
“By 2010, RBAP shall be recognized as an institution known for its strong organization, full service, and as an advocacy and information and communication center for community banking in Asia.”
Together, the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines Officers and Staffs crafted the above vision statement during the 2-Day Planning Workshop
last January 21-22, 2005 at the Lotus Garden Hotel in Malate. With the fast changing political and economic environment, technological advancements and dynamic nature of the rural banking sector, RBAP commits to rally and stimulate its members to pursue credit and development goals in the communities they serve.
With this essential role that RBAP plays in the rural bank sector, together, the Officers and Staffs crafted the organization’s Strategic 2010 Vision.
Four strategic directions were identified: 1) RBAP as a full-service organization; 2) RBAP as a strong organization with high level of professionalism and sustainability of programs; 3) RBAP as an advocacy center in community banking in Asia and 4) RBAP as an Information and Communication Center for rural banks.
To achieve these directions, the Five-Year Work Plan laid down the specific activities and milestones. The Work Plan was divided into five years and plotting the activities was based on exigency, resources, and time frame. Years 1 to 3 are the busiest years for the organization because the activities are mainly to nurture the grounds to where a strong, full-service organization, advocacy and information and communication center for community banking will be lodged.
The following are the RBAP Officers and Staffs who contributed to the success of the planning session:
RBAP OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:
1. Mr. Senen D. Glorioso – President
2. Gen. William K. Hotchkiss III – VP for Mindanao
3. Mr. Mark Ernest D. Rosario – Corporate Secretary
4. Mr. Jobel G. Chua – Treasurer
5. Mr. Felino S.M. Angeles – Director
RBAP STAFFS:
1. Ms. Felecitas P. Javier
2. Ms. Shallie Y. Recaido
3. Ms. Selfa D. Distor
4. Ms. Lalaine Coroneza
5. Ms. Cristine Charisse Fernando
6. Ms. Ruth Marie Ian Caldito
7. Ms. Jackie Lou Echon
BSP releases regulations on liquidity, market risk weighting
The Philippine STAR 09/19/2006
The Monetary Board (MB) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has approved two new circulars on how financial institutions (FIs) should manage market and liquidity risks, including interest rate risk. The guidelines are formulated to ensure that FIs have sufficient knowledge and skills to understand and effectively manage market and liquidity risks. These emphasize that the level of risk exposures undertaken by FIs and the proper management of these risks are primarily the responsibility of the FIs.
“The principles set forth in these guidelines shall be used (by the BSP) in determining the adequacy and effectiveness of an FI’s (market and liquidity) risk management process, the level and trend of (these) risk exposure(s) and adequacy of capital relative to exposure(s),” the circulars said.
The statement of policy states that “the level of (market and liquidity) risks assumed by an FI is not necessarily a concern, so long as the FI has the ability to effectively manage the risk(s). The BSP will not restrict the level of risk assumed by an FI, or the scope of its financial market activities so long as the FI is authorized to engage in such activities and that the institution (a) understands, measures, monitors and controls the risk assumed, (b) adopts risk management practices whose sophistication and effectiveness are commensurate to the risk being monitored and controlled, and, (c) maintains capital commensurate with the risk exposure assumed. It may be noted that the issuances take the form of principles-based guidelines on market and liquidity risk management.
The order is consistent with the guidelines on supervision by risk set forth under BSP Circular 510 issued February 2006. The adoption of the guidelines communicates the BSP’s implementation of the risk-based approach to supervision (RBS), which promotes the adoption of a principles-based regulatory framework, rather than a prescriptive approach to supervision.
The principles-based guidelines allow more flexibility since markets rapidly develop, often ahead of changes to the regulatory framework.
For example, the circulars provide that the BSP is aware of the increasing diversity of financial products and that industry techniques for measuring and managing (market and liquidity risks) are continuously evolving. As such, the guidelines are intended for general application; specific application will depend to some extent on the size, complexity, and range of activities undertaken by individual financial institutions. The RBS is a continuous and dynamic process that focuses on assessing risk exposures and quality of risk management practices and allocating supervisory resources on areas that are identified as high risk.
In particular, the market and liquidity risk guidelines provide that if the BSP determines that an FI’s risk exposures are excessive relative to the FI’s capital, or that the risk assumed is not well managed, the BSP will direct the FI to reduce its exposure to an appropriate level and/or strengthen its risk management systems.
“Although the guidelines are not strictly Basel 2 to conform with institutional arrangements and operating realities in the Philippines, the principles outlined are consistent with Basel 2 principles and international best practices,” the BSP said.
WB favors EO 138
The Philippine STAR 09/19/2006
The World Bank (WB) has expressed grave concern on the repeal of Executive Order (EO) 138 which was replaced by EO 558.
EO 558, signed by President Arroyo last month, allows all government agencies to lend money regardless of its mandated functions. The repealed EO 138, signed by former President Estrada, designated only government financial institutions (GFIs) to extend loans.
During a press briefing on corruption and good governance held yesterday, WB country director for Philippines Joachim von Amsberg said that EO 138 restored public lending to only GFIs and it placed strict rules on pricing, subsidies and credit programs.
“What EO 135 did, was to restore fiscal stability and discipline on public lending,” Von Amsberg stressed.
The WB official also pointed out that EO 135 created a level playing field between private lending institutions and government, which in effect also helped develop the country’s flourishing financial sector.
The repealed executive order was developmental and favored good corporate governance, the lending agency official added.
Earlier, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves proposed that a clear and transparent implementing rules and regulations (IRR) should first be outlined and approved before EO 558 is enforced.
In his reaction letter sent to Malacañang, Teves said that EO 558 was all embracing or without limits and that it would directly compete with GFIs. Concerns over ballooning non-performing loans (NPLs) of the government sector would only derail government plans to eliminate its fiscal deficit by 2008.
Unnamed officials of the GFIs said that EO 558 “brings us back to the Masagana 99 era where government doled out public funds resulting in huge debts which we are paying to this day.”
Only GFI can directly tap funding from multilateral or bilateral arrangements thus able to get lower or favorable repayment interest rates. “The system allows for better control on the country’s debt levels,” they said.
Another official said that it could be subject to abuses by local or national government entities pointing out that the “elections was just around the corner.”
EO 558 was issued by Mrs. Arroyo last Aug. 8, repealing EO 138 which was issued in 1999.
EO 558 simply said that it repeals the Estrada order, and that any agency can start lending direct.
EO 138 designated GFI as the main government vehicle for the delivery of credit services by providing wholesale funds to government or private entities which will in turn practice direct lending. The practice would cushion government from huge and numerous exposures.
“It is also the reason why official development agency (ODA) funds are flowing in,” a GFI official added.
BSP gives banks more leeway in financial market activities
By Des Ferriols
The Philippine Star 09/05/2006
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued two major guidelines giving banks full control and accountability of their market and liquidity risks as the industry gears up for full compliance with the Basel II Convention.
Under the new guidelines, the BSP said it is not particularly concerned with the level of risks that financial institutions assume but they should have the ability and resources to manage these risks.
“Therefore, the BSP will not restrict the level of risks assumed by financial institution (FI) or the scope of its financial market activities so long as it is authorized to engage in such activities,” the BSP said in the statement of policy. [Read more…]
PDIC issues rules on reporting for bank deposits
The Philippine STAR 08/22/2006
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) published a regulatory issuance and operations manual recently prescribing standards of record keeping of bank deposits for all member banks.
[Read more…]
ONB, DBP form remittance alliance
The Philippine STAR 08/08/2006
One Network Bank (ONB) has teamed up with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) recently to expand the overseas remittance payout services available in its 63 branches through DBP’s Electronic Cash Remittance (EC REMIT) Program.
ONB is the first rural bank to tie-up with DBP’s foreign remittance arm. [Read more…]
Letter-Introduction of Schuykill/Acres to Rural Banks
August 7, 2006
TO: ALL RURAL BANKS / COOP BANKS
FROM: ATTY. FRANCIS S. GANZON, PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: LETTER-INTRODUCTION OF SCHUYKILL/ACRES TO RURAL BANKS
[Read more…]
Letter-Introduction of Peragram to Rural Banks
August 7, 2006
TO: ALL RURAL BANKS / COOP BANKS
FROM: ATTY. FRANCIS S. GANZON, PRESIDENT
SUBJECT: LETTER-INTRODUCTION OF PERAGRAM TO RURAL BANKS
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[Read more…]
BSP to release new rules on banks‘ reporting system
By Donnabelle L. Gatdula
The Philippine Star 08/03/2006
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will release end of this week new rules that would overhaul banks’ reporting system, BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla said yesterday.
“We are tidying up some of the templates and we will be ready to release it. It was already approved by the Monetary Board for release,” Espenilla said. [Read more…]
