BSP Governor Opens First Philippine Retail Investment Conference

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. stressed the continued positive outlook of the economy during his opening speech at the inaugural of the Philippine Retail Investment Conference.

The conference organized by CFA Society Philippines is part of a global series of events to promote Putting Investors First Month in May aimed at increasing awareness and uniting investment professionals to place investor’s interests first above all others. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event at SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.

“As we welcome an integrated ASEAN economy, we expect greater opportunities to open up for retail investors,” says April Lee-Tan, CFA, president of CFA Society Philippines. “In order for us to fully realize our economic potential, investors must be able to trust their investment professionals to treat them honestly, competently, and ethically. CFA Society Philippines organized this conference to teach investors best practices, investment risks and their rights so that they will be smarter decision makers.”

The conference gathered together senior regulators, local and international investment professionals, and advisors to address common issues facing retail investors.

A highlight of the conference is a panel discussion on how to avoid investment scams with Hans Sicat, president of the Philippine Stock Exchange; Vida Chiong, deputy insurance commissioner of the Insurance Commission; Atty. Gerard Lukban, secretary of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, and Atty. Romeo Mendoza, Jr., general counsel of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation.

“We are proud of the series of investor awareness activities organized by CFA Society Philippines, including the Financial Fitness Fun Run in February and ringing the closing bell at the Philippine Stock Exchange. To raise our commitment to the local investment community, CFA Institute and CFA Society Philippines will co-host the Philippine Investment Conference in October to highlight investment opportunities to professional investors in this exciting economy,” says Charles Yang, CFA, chair of the board of governors of CFA Institute, who delivered the conference’s closing address.

Mr. Yang also presented the University of the Philippines, Diliman team that won the CFA Institute Global Research Challenge Finals held in Singapore in April. The Research Challenge is an annual competition in financial analysis, considered “the investment

Olympics” for university students. Globally, more than 3,700 students from more than 825 universities participated in some stage of the challenge. It was the second time UP Diliman won the global finals.

The Philippine Retail Investment Conference is supported by platinum sponsors COL Financial, Manulife, and Megaworld.