By Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz, Special Features and Content Writer, BusinessWorld
Behind the very institutions that keep the Filipinos’ finances together are bankers who have supported the industry in advocating good governance and enhancing capability through continuing education, research, and information exchange.
Ever since its establishment in 1941, the Bankers Institute of the Philippines, Inc. (BAIPHIL), has been the country’s leader in the pursuit of banking excellence, aiming to be one of the best in the Asia-Pacific Region. This year, the non-stock, non-profit organization is celebrating its 85th year of fulfilling its mission to support banks in enhancing productivity through various means.
“Celebrating the 85th anniversary of the BAIPHIL is both a significant milestone and a moment for meaningful reflection. For the organization, it represents more than eight decades of steadfast commitment to advancing professional development, promoting ethical standards, and fostering collaboration within the banking community,” BAIPHIL President Shirley G. Felix told BusinessWorld.
Ms. Felix added that for the Philippine banking industry, this milestone underscores BAIPHIL’s enduring role as a trusted partner in strengthening the competence, integrity, and professionalism of banking practitioners.
Over the years, she noted that BAIPHIL has helped cultivate a culture of continuous learning and responsible banking.
“As we mark this anniversary, we not only honor the legacy and contributions of those who helped shape the organization, but we also reaffirm our shared commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial sector that can effectively respond to the evolving needs of the banking industry,” Ms. Felix said.
Building on this enduring legacy of leadership and reflection, BAIPHIL’s long-standing commitment becomes even more evident in the tangible contributions it has made to professional development across the banking sector.
“BAIPHIL has made several enduring contributions to advancing professionalism, foremost of which is its unwavering commitment to professional education and capacity building within the banking industry. Through its training programs, seminars, and executive learning series, BAIPHIL has helped equip generations of banking professionals with the knowledge, skills, and perspective needed to navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape,” Ms. Felix said.
Complementing its strong focus on education and capacity building, BAIPHIL has also played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations and culture of the banking industry today. Ms. Felix revealed that BAIPHIL’s advocacy has always been for ethical banking, good governance, and responsible leadership. These principles, she noted, have strengthened organizational discipline, reinforced regulatory alignment, and sustained public trust and confidence in the financial system.
Aside from training, Ms. Felix also placed importance on BAIPHIL’s role as a platform for learning, dialogue, and collaboration among banking professionals, helping foster a culture of excellence and continuous professional growth.
A Renewed Focus
As BAIPHIL continues to strengthen the industry through these initiatives, its milestone year also sets the stage for a renewed focus on collaboration and shared progress across the banking community.
“The theme for BAIPHIL Week, “BAIPHIL@85: Partnerships that R.I.S.E. – Resilience, Inclusivity. Sustainability. Engagement,” underscores the institute’s 85 years of service to the banking community while highlighting the importance of strong collaboration with stakeholders – including our members, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), subject matter experts, and other industry partners,” Ms. Felix said.
She summarized how the R.I.S.E. pillars outline key priorities for the future of banking: resilience in adapting to change, inclusivity in expanding financial access, sustainability in supporting responsible growth, and engagement through strong collaboration. Together, they form a framework for a more responsive and forward-looking banking sector.
Guided by these priorities, BAIPHIL continues to translate its vision into action by strengthening its role as a center for learning and knowledge-sharing within the industry.
“BAIPHIL serves as a strategic knowledge and learning hub for banking professionals. Through its training programs, industry discussions, and executive learning series, the BAIPHIL helps banks and their personnel stay informed about regulatory developments, technological innovations, and emerging risks that continue to reshape the financial landscape,” Ms. Felix said.
In an environment marked by rapid digital transformation, shifting customer expectations, and global economic uncertainties, Ms. Felix emphasized that BAIPHIL provides a platform for timely learning and meaningful exchange among industry practitioners, regulators and subject matter experts.
“By facilitating knowledge-sharing and promoting continuous professional development, BAIPHIL helps equip banking professionals with the insights, competencies, and perspective needed to adapt to change, navigate industry disruptions, and strengthen the resilience of their institutions and the broader banking sector,” she added.
Advancing sustainability agenda
Due to its role as a knowledge hub, BAIPHIL is also well-positioned to advance emerging priorities such as sustainability within the banking sector.
“BAIPHIL can support the integration of sustainability in banking by promoting greater awareness, education, and the adoption of best practices in sustainable finance. Through specialized training programs and seminars, BAIPHIL helps banking professionals better understand environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and how these can be integrated into financial policies and investment decisions,” Ms. Felix said.
At the same time, she said that the organization extends its impact by bringing together banks, regulators, and sustainability experts to advance shared goals.
“Equally important, BAIPHIL can foster collaboration among banks, regulators, and sustainability experts to encourage the sharing of insights and practical approaches. In doing so, BAIPHIL helps support the industry’s efforts to align banking practices with global sustainability principles while contributing to the country’s broader economic and development priorities,” Ms. Felix said.
BAIPHIL Training and Development Week
As the culmination of these advocacies, BAIPHIL Week, which took place last March 9-14 this year, has brought banking professionals together to share insights, learn from experts, and stay updated on industry developments, while strengthening connections and fostering a more collaborative banking community.
“This year’s Training and Development Week was designed to deliver practical knowledge, valuable insights, and meaningful professional connections that can be applied within the participants’ respective institutions,” Ms. Felix said.
Reflecting the impact of these initiatives, she expressed hope that the week’s discussions will inspire banking professionals to deepen their commitment to the industry.
“We hope the discussions and insights shared during the week will inspire banking professionals to renew their sense of purpose in the important role they play in the financial system. By strengthening their capabilities and fostering collaboration across the industry, participants can contribute more effectively to advancing professionalism in banking,” Ms. Felix concluded.
This article is in the special edition of BusinessWorld In-Depth digital magazine for BAIPHIL Week. Get the full issue for FREE via BWorldX. Visit www.bworld-x.com.
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