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Some 200 of the leading bankers and bank regulators from around the Asia-Pacific region are expected to gather in Manila on October 29-30, 2009 for the 26th General Meeting and Conference of the Asian Bankers Association (ABA).

Hosted and organized by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), the Manila meeting will focus on the theme “What’s Ahead for Asian Banking.”

Eminent speakers from both the private and public sectors will share their insights on the impact on Asian economies of the global financial turmoil and the strategic responses that Asian banks need to adopt to meet the challenges posed by the crisis.

They will discuss the future direction of Asia’s financial markets in view of the ongoing developments brought about by the crisis and the kind of strategies that can help Asian banks succeed in these uncertain times.

The conference will also delve on the impact of the new regulatory initiatives on the financial landscape.

Established in October 1981, the ABA is now the biggest grouping of banks and financial institutions in Asia-Pacific. Its membership currently includes some 100 of the leading banks from 23 countries in the region.

Members from the Philippines include RCBC, the Development Bank of the Philippines, East West Banking Corporation, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., and the Philippine National Bank.

Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will deliver the keynote address during the opening of the conference.

Speakers include Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., Stephen Roach who is Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia and author of The Next Asia (Wiley), Dr. Jim Walker, Founder and Managing Director, Asianomics Ltd., Christopher Beshouri, President & CEO, McKinsey & Co. Philippines, Noritaka Akamatsu, Sr. Advisor (Financial Sector), Asian Development Bank, Jose Isidro Camacho, Vice Chairman, Asia-Pacific, Credit Suisse, Bala Swaminathan, Sr. Managing Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Shun Pang, Managing Director, JP Morgan, and Charles Mak, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management Asia.

Many bankers await the presentation of Roach who serves as Morgan Stanley’s senior representative to clients, governments, and regulators across the region. Prior to his appointment as Asia Chairman, Roach was Morgan Stanley’s Chief Economist.

“Stephen Roach on The Next Asia: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Globalization”, published by John Wiley & Sons, is expected to be in bookshops and available online in late September 2009.

The Next Asia is a timely assessment of the region’s potential to provide a new source of growth for a post-crisis global economy.

With this year’s gathering expected to bring together very senior representatives of ABA member banks operating in the Asian region, the organizers of the event believe that discussions will not only be of commercial interest to the participants, but will also be useful to the Association in its efforts to help shape policies that affect our region’s development. - PNA

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