Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. will deliver the keynote address at the annual convention of the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) on March 14 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Ayala Center, Makati City.
With theme “Maximizing Opportunities in Countryside Development”, the CTB convention seeks to highlight the thrift-banking sector’s commitment to continuously initiate concrete steps that are supportive of the government’s thrust in promoting countryside development.
The annual meet also hopes to prepare thrift banks for bigger opportunities, to expand into new markets and better serve the needs of our clientele, particularly those based in the countryside.
“The government is priming the economy, and there are a lot of infrastructure projects that have been approved. Thrift banks will benefit from these indirectly as micro, small and medium enterprises [MSMEs] will be directly benefiting from the economic growth in their respective localities or territories. We hope to align our direction with the government’s thrust, thereby maximizing our opportunities,” said Cecilio San Pedro, CTB convention chairman and president of Sterling Bank.
Thrift banks have always maintained a closer role in the communities they serve.
Through the years, they have played a major role in the mobilization of deposits and extension of credit resources to individuals and MSMEs, particularly in the countryside, and in the provision of housing and consumer loans.
“The CTB’s conventions have been an excellent forum for a healthy exchange of ideas designed not only to promote the well-being of the thrift-banking sector, but also to seek avenues toward contributing to the country’s social and economic goals,” explained Gregorio B. Anonas Ill, CTB president.
Also invited to the convention were Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, and Neda Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia and Fung Shui master Andrew Tan.
“The convention speakers provide our members with vital information, among others, government programs and initiatives, legislative/regulatory updates, making our members aware of the opportunities available to them, especially those based in the countryside,” added Anonas, who is also president of Wealth Bank.
CTB is the umbrella organization of the country’s thrift banks and was organized primarily to provide an institutional medium through which members can collectively assist and cooperate with one another, with other members of the banking sector, and with the national government and its instrumentalities, more particularly the BSP, to promote, develop, expand and strengthen the role of savings and loan associations, private development banks, and savings and mortgage banks (otherwise known as thrift institutions).