FICOBankers Celebrate the Bank’s 39th Founding Anniversary
with Great Happiness and Triumph

For over three decades, the First Isabela Cooperative Bank (FICOBank) has slowly, but surely, evolved the delivery of first-class banking services to its now about 100-thousand first-rate clients, who made FICOBank their first-choice bank. And being ranked first among the cooperative banks in the Philippines, the FICOBank family felt great happiness and triumph in celebrating its 39th Founding Anniversary on September 10, 2015, with the theme “Gearing Up for Another Level of Banking.” The week-long celebration culminated on September 12, 2015 at the Tindalo Hall of the Isabela Hotel & Resort in Cauayan City, Isabela, which was attended by the FICOBankers and some guests.

With a primordial objective to provide financing to farmers and entrepreneurs who have limited resources and access to banking services, FICOBank has never drifted away from its lofty purpose since time immemorial. True to form, the Bank didn’t only find ways to put an end to the financial conundrums faced by its target markets but make things happen for their advantage and advancement. Right now, it can ably offer its multi-sectoral clientele with an extensive array of innovative financial services and solutions that are adaptive and responsive to their multi-dimensional needs. Thus, this year’s grand-anniversary celebration is truly a memorable one for all the members of the FICOBank family, as they took great delight in knowing the Bank’s heaps of no-mean feats and rundown of development milestones.

During the said event, Rev. Joselito S. Magundayao, Senior Pastor of the Jesus Christ the Deliverer, gave his words of encouragement to all FICOBankers to always keep FICOBank as a people’s bank. He said that with the quality of its banking services, strong relationship with the customers and their respective communities, and faith in God as its ultimate resource-provider, the Bank was able to establish and maintain its good public image, exceptional banking performance and best-in-class stature.

President Herminio G. Ocampo, in his Opening Remarks, shared his high hopes on what and where the business of the Bank will be in the not-so-distant future. He shared the idea that FICOBank, just like any other bank, is being affected by the disruptive business environment brought about by the era of digitization and the generation of the millennials. He provided a look into the future of banking, particularly its new set of customers and the digital products and services that can satisfy their highly sophisticated financial needs and preferences. He also mentioned that Brett King, a professional speaker and author of the bestseller Bank 3.0, made it clear “Why Banking Is No Longer Somewhere You Go But Something You Do.” King is beating the drum for change, and FICOBank gave heed to such call for change. The Bank per se will take full advantage of the advancement of digital technology and the evolution of virtual customers, as many studies have proven that “for a business to succeed in today’s wired world, it is imperative to have a strong digital footprint.” At a time when everything is becoming multifaceted and digitized through computer systems and electronic devices, the Bank shall endeavor to connect its data, design and delivery in providing financial products and services that can simplify each customer’s life.

In his inspirational message, the Bank’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Wilfredo DC. Antonio, pointed out that FICOBank, in its quest for banking excellence for so many years now, has made remarkable upshots on its business goals, particularly in financial performance, branch network, product-service repertoire and client base. But, with the recent changes and challenges affecting the banking industry’s competitive landscape, FICOBank will be gearing itself up for both IT-enabled branch and branchless banking—the next level representing its business model innovation.

The entire FICOBank family is looking forward to an even more-festive event next year, as the Bank will be celebrating its 40th Founding Anniversary with a big bang.