The ADFIAP’s Institute for Development Finance (IDF) conducted a seminar-workshop on “Key Essentials for Bank Officers” on March 6-10, 2017 at the St. Giles Hotel in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, with participants from ADFIAP members in Palau, Vanuatu, and the Philippines.

This seminar was developed to tackle the growing sophistication of financial products and services as well as the dynamic needs of bank clients which is transforming the role of lending officers to that of a financial management consultant and financial engineer. This role demands a holistic knowledge of the credit cycle from loan origination to loan repayment and requires not only “hard skills” such as proficiency in loan appraisal, but also “soft skills” that relate to the loan officer’s capability to interact effectively with clients.

Topics discussed in the seminar were: roles and responsibilities of bank officers; code of ethical standards for bank officers; communication excellence; presentation skills; time management: productivity booster; creative problem solving and decision-making: think out-of-the box but stay inside it; building the skills that can turn divergence into opportunities; negotiation skills: creating win-win solutions; establishing the corporate culture; confidence coaching to build self-esteem and self belief; corporate power image; importance of corporate image; keys to create good first impression and personal style; how to conduct effective meetings; corporate power image; table etiquette; and positive thinking: harness the power of optimism.

The resource persons of the event were the members of the ADFIAP Consulting Group headed by Ms. Cora Conde, Atty. Alberto Reyno, Ms. Arlene Orencia, Ms. Cecille Ibarra, Ms. Emy Chavez and Ms. Cristy Aquino.