If amended, rural banks would have additional funds available for borrowers (i.e. farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, fisherfolk) in the countryside.

Aside from the varied measures and fund guarantees discussed, both agreed to form a technical working group that would  formulate recommendations to the agriculture department.

For more details, please view the attached link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=772163&publicationSubCategoryId=66

Thank you.

RBAP officials with DA Secretary Alcala

RBAP officials led by President Ian Eric S. Pama and Executive Director Vicente Mendoza recently held a meeting with Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Undersecretary Fleta of the Department of Agriculture to discuss measures on how the DA’s office can effectively support and strengthen its’ partnership with  the rural banking industry.   The two parties later agreed to create a technical working group that will study measures on how rural banks, through the help of DA, can further enhance their services.

Aside from President Pama and Exec. Director Mendoza, other members of the RBAP delegation who went to the DA’s office in Quezon City were Reginald Ocampo, Rene Sayo, Daniel Arcenas, Antonio Pasia and Atty. Edward Leandro Garcia.

For other upcoming news and updates, we encourage all  to continuously monitor the RBAP website.

Many thanks.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas in advance and have a prosperous New Year!

http://www.rbapmabs.org/blog/2011/12/rbap-mabs-microfinance-and-mobile-phone-banking-initiatives-showcased-in-international-study-visit/

As of December 2011, there are 70 RBs participating in the USAID supported MABS programme.  Last month, three clients of participating banks were honored in the 2011 CITI Micro entrepreneur Award.

To learn more about the successes and achievements of MABS, please go to the RBAP MABS website:

http://www.rbapmabs.org/home/

Thank You.

One of the many poignant points echoed by both Ms. Aseron and Mapano during the head-ups meeting among RBAP-RBRDFI-MABS-USAID directors and staff upon their return from Brazil were the breakthroughs initiated in the country that are now being recognized worldwide. Many may not be aware, but the Philippines has been trailblazing in this niche industry especially when it comes to offering advance and innovative microinsurance products. As narrated by Ms. Mapano, the success can be attributed to three factors: efficient communication, effective capacity building and active promotion with partners.

Aside from the plethora of microinsurance products and services, a regulatory framework protecting the industry is now firmly in place; other countries have yet to adopt or replicate this.

So far, the rural banking industry in the Philippines continues to make headway in providing microisurance services. At the moment 52 RBs, trained by RBAP-RBRDFI Microinsurance Initiative, are offering MI products; a few more are engaged in exploratory talks. The advantages of rural banks are plentiful; for one thing, RBs have the ability to capitalize on existing operational structure; two, compliance to both insurance and bank regulations increases the banks’ credibility; and third, clients of RBs have better access to relevant financial products.

Of course, while microinsurance is on the upswing, still challenges remain; insufficient adoption of technology is one, tapping popular usage of mobile technology is second. Fortunately, RBAPMAPBS-USAID is trying to address this issue with its mobile access programme (http://www.rbapmabs.org/home/)

For more details on what transpired during the Microinsurance Conference, you may view RBAP’s Slideshare’s link below: