Aspiring to extend its reach to the greater majority of Filipinos, the country’s largest rural bank in terms of assets—Bank of Makati, Inc.—is tapping into the microfinance banking industry this year. To further enhance its capacity as a microfinance institution, Bank of Makati partnered with SEDPI for an 8-day management training conducted from April 29 to May 9, 2013.
The Branch Manager Microfinance Training Program was held at the BMI principal office in Makati, attended by 19 participants. SEDPI delivered topics on fundamental principles of microfinance, delinquency management, character and capacity-based lending, financial analysis, and risk management. What is perhaps unique to SEDPI’s training program is its flexibility to suit the learning needs of its participants, catering even to those with minimal or no background in delivering financial products and services to small savers and, as BMI coined, the “new enterprising generation”.
All SEDPI trainers delivered interactive sessions. The discussions enabled an environment where participants can synthesize their own experiences and knowledge in banking and loans with newly imparted concepts. This was a crucial part in correcting some practices that are potential threats to organizational growth. Finally, all trainees underwent an examination to assess their technical skills in microfinance principles. Graduates of the program will receive a certificate of completion from the Ateneo de Manila University’s Development Studies Program.
SEDPI is proud to contribute to Bank of Makati’s mission in providing economic empowerment to more Filipinos. As its tagline reads, “Malalapitan, maaasahang kaibigan,” the bank’s new venture holds promise not only for the institution, but for its future microfinance clients as well.