A delegation of over 100 leading banking institutions from some 23 countries arrived in the country to attend the Asia-Pacific region as it hosts the 26th General Meeting and Conference of the Asian Bankers Association (ABA) on October 30 hosted by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).

With the theme “What's Ahead for Asian Banking,” the ABA Conference will be held at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Several topics will center on the global financial crisis, its impact on Asian economies, and how banks are responding to the challenge with strategic initiatives for growth.

“We at RCBC are honored to organize this important meeting. The interaction with fellow delegates from other countries are beneficial for all of us to gain unique perspectives, establish and renew friendships with astute bankers, and bolster cooperation and mutual advantage,” said RCBC President and CEO Lorenzo V. Tan.

Welcoming the guests and opening the forum are Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; Sec. Alfonso T. Yuchengco, Honorary Chairman of RCBC; Susan S. Chang, ABA and Bank of Taiwan Chairperson; and Dr. Jeffrey L.S. Koo, ABA Chairman Emeritus.

Four plenary sessions will then explore the following topics: Global Financial Crisis and its Impact on Asian Economies; The Changing Capital Market Infrastructure; Alternative Strategies for Banks at Stages of the Crisis; and New Regulatory Initiatives: Re-shaping the Financial Landscape.

Among the invited speakers are Amando M. Tetangco Jr., Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Dr. Stephen Roach, Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia; Dr. Jim Walker, Founder and Managing Director, Asianomics Limited; Mr. Noritaka Akamatsu, Senior Advisor, Office of Regional Economic Integration, Asian Development Bank; Jose Isidro Camacho, Vice Chairman of Asia-Pacific, Credit Suisse; Ilhyock Shim, Senior Economist, Representative Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bank for International Settlements; Nicholas de Boursac, Managing Director, Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA); Bala Swaminathan, Senior Managing Director & Regional Head, Origination and Client Coverage South East Asia and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank; and Christopher Beshouri, President and CEO, McKinsey & Company, Philippines.

In addition to hosting this year's ABA Conference, RCBC is organizing a special session on “Wealth Management” at the Executive Lounge on the 47th floor of RCBC Plaza.

The two-hour session explores wealth management as one of the fastest growing disciplines of the banking sector, how it meets clients' increasingly sophisticated needs, and how industry practitioners can capitalize on its many opportunities.