Indulge! - Planters Development Bank

Malaysian bankers study Plantersbank modelA top-level bankers’ mission fromMalaysia visited Manila recently for a studytour of Plantersbank. The delegation ofSME Bank of Malaysia and Bank NegaraMalaysia executives attended a 3-dayseminar on Plantersbank best practicesand methods in SME lending andfinance. Both Malaysian banks seekto learn from and integrate aspects ofthe successful Plantersbank model intotheir own SME lending process.Led by SME Bank of Malaysiachairman Dato’ Gumuri bin Hussain(third from left), the two banks made acourtesy call to Plantersbank chairmanAmbassador Jesus P. Tambunting(right). Also in photo are (from left)Plantersbank president Maria FlordelisF. Aguenza and SME Bank of Malaysiaacting assistant vice president HamdanBin Mohd Habibollah.The visit by SME Bank of Malaysiaand Bank Negara Malaysia was arrangedby the Association of DevelopmentFinance Institutions in Asia and thePacific (ADFIAP), the premier bodypromoting SME and developmentfinance in the region.Professionalizing SMEs provides way forwardCora M. Gonzales, Assistant Vice PresidentPlantersbank Batangas BranchBelow: Hundreds of entrepreneurs attendedthe event addressed by Ms. Gonzales.Plantersbank gave a pitch forprofessionalizing operations of SMEsduring the recent GoNegosyo Caravanin at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium inBatangas City.The GoNegosyo Caravan receiveda rousing welcome from hundredsof entrepreneurs, cooperativesand microfinance advocates in thisprovince.Cora M. Gonzales, assistant vicepresident and head of PlantersbankBatangas branch was invited as resourcespeaker during the SME Financingforum of the day-long event attendedby hundreds of entrepreneurs, co-opmembers and micro credit providersfrom all over the province.In discussions with SMEs, Ms.Gonzales said professionalizingoperations should be seen as a growthstrategy whilst improving credit scorethus the chances of getting a bank loan.She explained that the changed economicterrain poses a great challenge for SMEs,requiring best practices and standards tobe put in place.She reiterated Plantersbank’scommitment to enabling the SMEsector through customized loans, cashmanagement services and internetbasedbusiness solutions.5VOL. NO. 03 / ISSUE NO. 06