The BANKERS INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. (BAIPHIL) was founded in 1941 as a non-stock, non-profit corporation under the name National Association of Bank Auditors and Comptrollers (NABAC), primarily with the goal of increasing the efficiency and uniformity in bank accounting, auditing and operations among banks. Its founding members were the Philippine National Bank, First National City Bank (now Citibank), Philippine Trust Company, Agricultural and Industrial Bank (now Development Bank of the Philippines), Bank of the Philippine Islands, Monte de Piedad & Savings Bank, and China Banking Corporation.
The association was subsequently renamed the Association of Bank Audit, Controls and Operations in early 1962. The name, Bank Administration Institute (Philippine Chapter), was adopted in January 1968 to reflect more accurately its broadened membership base and more comprehensive functions and programs and to identify it as an affiliate of the Bank Administration Institute-USA, an international organization based in Chicago.
In July 2001, the Institute was renamed Bankers Institute of the Philippines, Inc. (BAIPHIL), and its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were amended following the closure and dissolution of the U.S. Bank Administration Institute. Currently, BAIPHIL is a member of the Asian-Pacific Association of Banking Institutes (APABI).
From a small circle of mostly accountants and auditors, the Institute has evolved into a prestigious and respectable bankers' organization. It now boasts of sixty-three (63) institutional members composed of universal, commercial, and thrift banks, as well as banking-related institutions. At present, it has more than 250 key executives as associates and sustaining life members who actively participate in its various projects.
Throughout the seven decades of its existence, the Institute has lived up to its mission of providing support to banks towards productivity enhancement through research, information exchange and education. It has been developing and conducting trainings, workshops, and learning sessions to inform, update and upgrade the Filipino bankers' knowledge and expertise.
Among others, it helped prepare the groundwork for smooth transitions of the local banking industry toward critical phases and dramatic changes, such as the entry of ATMs in the Philippines, the shift from manual check clearing to the MICR system, and the implementation of the electronic clearing system. The Institute's accomplishments include the mandate given by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) to BAIPHIL for the standardization of check sizes and layouts in 1965 and its membership in the Joint MICR Commission together with the Central Bank of the Philippines and the BAP.
In recognition of BAIPHIL's unflagging efforts towards continuous education for the banking community and the public it serves, a humble seed fund of P100,000 was raised for the establishment of the Training Center in 1991 – a timely and most fitting tribute to the Institute on its golden year.
In the international scene, the Institute has played host to the Pacific Rim Conferences in 1980 and 1982, and to the 5th ASEAN Banking Conference in 1984. In 1999, BAIPHIL won the bid to host the 2000 Asian-Pacific Association of Banking Institutes (APABI) Conference. It was a perfect venue for sharing technology and training programs with other countries and once again put to test the capability of the Institute in coordinating regional conferences.
Counting itself as a Partner Towards Sustained Economic Growth (its theme for FY 1995-1996) and carrying out its critical role in the task of nation building through a fortified economy, the Institute geared its resources towards Responsive Banking in the New Millennium (FY 1996-1997) and prepared the groundwork for Philippine Banking: Responding to Global Challenges (FY 1997-1998). It also accelerated the implementation of programs to empower its members and the ever-expanding public with the knowledge and skills needed to manage change, most notably in the field of information technology.
With the theme Bank to Basics in FY 1998-1999, the Institute rallied towards a return to trust in banking, the very foundation of the industry that holds the privilege of keeping and managing the public's funds. It was also during this fiscal year that the BAIPHIL Cebu Chapter was established.
Prompted by the severe repercussions of global recession and the Asian crisis, the Institute took a bolder leap forward when it assumed the monumental task of Preparing Banks for the Future in FY 1999-2000. As it faced the dawning of the 21st Century, the BAIPHIL office automation system was upgraded to be Y2K compliant. It participated actively with BAP and BSP on the Y2K awareness and education of banks. It re-launched the BAIPHIL Training Institute (BTI), convened the BTI Board of Advisers and renovated the BAIPHIL office to allow the conduct of the BTI courses.
During fiscal year 2000-2001, the Institute sought out towards Redefining Bank Excellence in the 21st Century and upheld its tradition of leadership excellence as the education and research arm of the banking industry by institutionalizing the industry's best practices. Banking integrity, transparency, corporate governance, risk management, asset quality, internet technology, e-commerce, and e-banking were the buzzwords of this term.
On its diamond year, BAIPHIL adopted the theme, BAIPHIL 60 years: Towards A Revitalized Banking Industry to commemorate and celebrate its Diamond Anniversary. That year's theme embodied the Institute's commitment to help in uplifting the condition of the banking industry in the latter's struggle to remain resilient in the face of economic and political downturns.
Another milestone was the completion of the Real Property Database System (RPDS), a carry-over of the project started by the previous year's officers. This project was launched with the institutional collaboration of the BAP and BAP-Credit Bureau Inc. Also formalized was the linking of efforts with Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) for Savings Consciousness and Computer Literacy Programs.
In FY 2002-2003, BAIPHIL, in pursuit of Championing Corporate Governance in Banking, was accredited by the BSP as a Training Provider for the Corporate Governance Course mandated by BSP Circular 296. Soon, it was at the forefront of the industry in championing corporate governance in banking.
Still in the relentless pursuit of its mission and in recognition of the importance of corporate governance, BAIPHIL fittingly adopted the theme Good Governance: Beyond Regulatory Compliance for FY 2003-2004. The aim was to bring the member-banks deeper into making good governance a way of life in the banking industry. During this year, BAIPHIL was a partner institution in hosting the prestigious Asia Pacific Bankers Congress (APBC) in Manila.
The BAIPHIL Website, www.baiphil.org, was launched as the official avenue to reach out to the membership and to the banking industry regarding the Institute's activities and seminar offerings.
On its 64th year, the Institute intensified its campaign of preserving and furthering the gains achieved by corporate governance efforts, reiterating its commitment at fostering uprightness and promoting standards and best practices in the banking sector with its theme for FY 2004-2005: Effective Risk Management: An Imperative for Good Governance. It likewise pursued definite proactive moves to fulfill its corporate citizenship thrust to make BAIPHIL a relevant and integral part of Philippine society.
For FY 2005-2006, BAIPHIL launched the theme of Promoting Greater Transparency, Accountability and Fairness Towards Strong Governance to underscore its support for the governance reform initiatives of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas which are focused at directing intensified efforts towards adherence to enhanced standards on transparency, accountability and fairness, to further fortify the financial system and its competitive edge in the global arena.
While sustaining its focus towards greater transparency, accountability and fairness towards strong governance, the Institute is constantly vigilant and cognizant of the need to keep pace with an increasingly integrated financial world, as it commits to spearhead concerted efforts of the banking sector in Moving Towards Global Banking Compliance. One of the highlights during FY 2006-2007 was Proclamation No. 1248 (signed on 6 March 2007 by the President of the Republic of the Philippines), declaring the second week of March of every year as "Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL) Training and Development Week."
On its 66th year, BAIPHIL remained steadfast in its commitment to be the leading institution serving the training needs of the banking industry. With proactive leadership and dedicated membership immersed in mainstream banking, the task of Continuing the Journey of Enhancing Internal Governance is construed as a challenge to be pursued with missionary zeal and firm resolve. The celebration of the first "BAIPHIL Training & Development Week" coincided with the inauguration of the first BAIPHIL Training Institute at the TRB Tower along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on 11 March 2008.
As the Institute marked its 67th anniversary, it fuelled the renewed enthusiasm of its members to conquer greater heights and unexplored frontiers in Turning Challenges into Opportunities knowing that this is the Key to Sustainable Growth. This term saw the birth of the BAIPHIL Hymn, composed by former BAIPHIL president Atty. Antonio V. Viray and Mr. Francis M. Puzon, which embodies the vision & mission and the values of BAIPHIL fostered by its members.
As if in seamless fashion, having sustained the perfect launching pad of identified opportunities, the leadership of FY 2009-2010 affirmed a solid position to Transform Potentials into Real Strength and Growth which resulted in a revised Mission Statement, the formulation of a Vision Statement and identification of prescribed Core Values.
BAIPHIL @70 aimed at Empowering the Banking Industry through Continuing Education, Innovation and Research as the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to be the banking industry's prime mover in providing training, information exchange and updates on technological development and related interests.
After marking 7 decades of distinguished service in the banking industry, BAIPHIL Beyond 70: Taking Stock, Harnessing Strengths, Forging Ahead, explored new avenues and non-traditional channels in the realm of continuing education, research and informative exchange. It registered its presence in Asia-Pacific region's banking conferences making known the Institute's initiatives in training and continuing education.
BAIPHIL's first coffee table book titled "Beyond 70. In Full Flower Yet Continues to Take Root" chronicles the journey of BAIPHIL alongside some of the highlights in the rich financial history of our country. The making of the coffee table book took two terms – from FY 2011-2012 through FY 2012-2013, and its release marked one of the major realizations of the Institute.
With the theme, Leveling Up: Linking Action with Vision for FY 2012-2013, the Institute focused on four thematic priorities referred to as "REAP" or Research and Information Exchange Programs, Education Programs, Admin Support Programs, and Partnership Programs. All the programs under these themes were in line with the Institute's vision and mission, and further elevated BAIPHIL's role in society.
Fostering a Culture of Good Governance and Compliance, the theme for FY 2013-2014 underscored BAIPHIL's continuing commitment of making good governance and compliance as a way of life among its member banks and partners in the banking industry. The Institute's program for the financial education was recognized during the 2014 BSP Stakeholders Awarding Ceremony and Appreciation program where BAIPHIL received a special award from BSP as Outstanding Partner for Financial Education.
Supporting the theme Reaching Greater Heights Through Continuing Education and Training, the activities during the FY 2014-2015 were all geared towards education, awareness, and information exchange. BAIPHIL's 28th National Convention at Taal Vista Hotel last February 27 to March 1, 2015 was packed with relevant and informative learning sessions on various topics of interest delivered by speakers from government, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the banking industry, including Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV and BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr.
As BAIPHIL entered its 75th Year amidst regional and local developments that will forever change the Philippine financial landscape, the Institute pushed forward its advocacy of Building Capacity Towards Financial Inclusion and Integration for FY 2015-2016 with the BEST – Build, Engage, Strengthen and Transform – strategy. Pursuant to this was the fulfillment of the long-time dream to have its office and training institute right in the heart of the financial district in Makati. In June 2016, BAIPHIL moved to its current address: Unit 2103, The Peak Tower Condominium, L. P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
The second Diamond Jubilee has just begun and more of the BEST is yet to come, as BAIPHIL continues on its journey to building better banks and bankers for a better society!
Moved by the aspiration of Leveraging Capabilities and Synergies for Banking Excellence, BAIPHIL pursued distinctive initiatives in FY 2016-2017 that made it another trailblazing year for the Institute. The delivery of relevant training programs was vigorously pursued to fulfill its core mandate of supporting the banking industry through training and education. Accreditation with the Philippine Regulation Commission as a provider of continuing professional development courses for accountants was successfully obtained. Meanwhile, the establishment of strategic partnership and learning alliances with industry stakeholders, here and abroad, was also given focus.
The highly successful 29th National Convention conducted on March 10-11, 2017 at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City highlighted BAIPHIL's effort to continuously promote banking excellence amidst the challenges and opportunities that the industry is facing.
Indeed, the role that BAIPHIL plays in supporting the Philippine banking industry has become more important than ever.