The Asian Insititute of Management’s (AIM) Gov. Jose B. Fernandez Center for Sustainable Finance (JBF Center) joined the 66th Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP) Charter Anniversary Symposium and Special General Membership Meeting held at The Rizal Park Hotel, Manila on the 22nd to 23rd of November 2023. United under the theme of Rural Bank: Promoting a Greener Future through Sustainable and Innovative Financing, this annual event brought together rural banks nationwide and representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

JBF Center Executive Director, Professor Felipe O. Calderon, CPA, CMA, PhD, was honored to serve as a guest speaker during the event. Prof. Calderon showcased his expertise in sustainable finance by delivering a presentation titled Sustainable Finance Best Practices for Rural Banks. Acknowledging the banks’ role as key drivers of sustainability, he advocated for the establishment of positive and negative criteria in lending decisions as a starting point. He also talked about the opportunity for rural banks to offer sustainability-linked loans and ESG consultancy services to their clients who are mainly consumers and MSMEs.

In his address, Prof. Calderon also announced the JBF Center's ongoing work: a research paper that explores ways to develop a sustainable finance model for rural banks. This initiative aims to provide rural banks with a step-by-step guide for implementing sustainable finance practices. The Center continues to share its expertise, advocate best practices, and actively contribute valuable research to help the banking industry stakeholders toward a more sustainable and innovative future.

To learn more about RBAP and its programs, visit its website: https://rbap.org/home/   

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