THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has forged an alliance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the local banking industry to start a crusade on safe and responsible banking.

The collaboration was formalized through a signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among the PDIC, the BSP and practically the entire banking industry, represented by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), the Chamber of Thrift Banks, the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP), and the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP).

In a signing ceremony held recently at the Asian Institute of Management, PDIC launched the “Be a Wise Saver” program, a depositor-awareness campaign that advocates safe and responsible banking through “Seven Habits of a Wise Saver.”

“Recent incidents of unprecedented bank failures embroiled with the sad story of deception and fraud is a reminder that the public needs a great amount of information and education about how to handle their money wisely,” said Jose Nograles, PDIC president.

“Adequate prudential regulation and fortified deposit insurance provide the necessary safety net for small depositors, but we need the cooperation of depositors to ensure this protection will be sustained in the long run,” Nograles pointed out.

Signing for the BSP was Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr.; Jesus Jacinto Jr. of the BAP, also vice chairman of Banco de Oro; Pascual Garcia III of the Chamber of Thrift Banks, also president of PS Bank; Tomas Gomez IV, of the RBAP,  also president of GM Bank; and Ferdinand La Chica of the BMAP, first vice president of Sterling Bank of Asia. These four associations represent more than 90 percent of the local banking industry.

The alliance will conduct the information campaign by using bank networks as conduits of information and conducting nationwide road shows.

The PDIC-led campaign seeks to inform the public on basic banking know-how like knowing your bank and bank products, comparing and understanding interest rates offered by banks, as well as various bank services and charges.

It also aims at inculcating market discipline for depositors amid greater depositor protection offered by the recent increase in coverage.

This campaign was launched as PDIC leads the commemoration of Depositor Protection and Awareness Week.

Deposit-insurance limit has been raised to P500,000 from P250,000 effective on June 1 by virtue of Republic Act 9576.