The Asian Bankers Association (ABA) is pleased to share that its Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Darson Chiu, Ph.D., was featured in a podcast hosted on March 24, 2026 by the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE)—a leading institution in the Philippines dedicated to advancing excellence in association leadership, governance, and crosssector collaboration.
The podcast was hosted by Mr. Bobby Peralta, a distinguished association executive and columnist of Business Mirror under his weekly column “Association World.” Through PCAAE’s podcast platform, thought leaders from across industries are invited to exchange views on emerging trends, institutional development, and regional cooperation, making it a valuable channel for knowledgesharing across the Asia-Pacific.
Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://youtu. be/8b2HbbSUeWg or listen on Spotify: https:// spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ LtHNgNxLK1b
Policy Advocacy as a Regional Public Good
In the discussion, Dr. Chiu framed ABA’s policy advocacy as a form of regional public good—one that enables banks across diverse jurisdictions to coordinate perspectives on shared challenges while strengthening Asia’s collective voice in global financial dialogue.
Through structured engagement among member institutions, ABA consolidates practitioner insights into position papers that reflect common priorities. These outputs are disseminated not only within the membership but also, where appropriate, to regulators, policymakers, and international organizations, helping ensure that policy discussions are conducted by practical banking experience.
Over the years, ABA’s advocacy has addressed core areas underpinning financial stability and development, including Basel II and III implementation, accounting standards, corporate governance, credit infrastructure, local currency bond markets, and disaster preparedness. While technical in nature, these issues shape how banks manage risk, allocate capital, and support economic activity across the region.
Bridging Policy Dialogue and Practical Application
A central message of the podcast was that ABA’s advocacy is not confined to theoretical discussion—it is grounded in real-world challenges faced by member banks.
In response to the rapid digitalization of financial services, ABA has developed work on cybersecurity and fraud prevention, offering practical guidance on strengthening operational resilience and protecting customers. Its engagement in digital transformation and open banking reflects the need for banks to innovate while maintaining sound risk management practices. During the COVID-19 period, ABA also facilitated the sharing of practical experiences among member banks in supporting SMEs—highlighting measures to stabilize supply chains and promote digital adaptation. More recently, ABA has contributed to discussions on green finance and climate risk, supporting banks in aligning sustainability objectives while recognizing differing development stages across economies.
A Structured and Credible Institutional Framework
From a governance perspective, ABA’s advocacy is supported by a structured institutional framework. Under the strategic direction of the Board, the Policy Advocacy Committee, comprising Board representatives and industry experts, serves as the central platform for identifying priorities and advancing policy initiatives. The process follows a disciplined sequence:
- Identification of priority issues affecting member banks,
- Preparation of evidence-based draft papers by member institutions and partners,
- Rigorous peer review through committee deliberations, and
- Finalization into official ABA policy outputs.
These outputs are subsequently published and shared through ABA’s platforms, providing both practical reference for members and inputs to regional and international policy dialogue. This ensures that ABA’s advocacy is not only analytically sound but also operationally relevant.
Emerging Priorities in a Rapidly Evolving Financial System
Looking ahead, ABA is focusing on several interrelated priorities that reflect the transformation of the global financial system:
- Cybersecurity and fraud prevention: Strengthening regional cooperation to address increasingly sophisticated cross-border fraud and scam networks;
- Ethical use of artificial intelligence: Promoting responsible adoption of AI in areas such as customer service, risk management, and compliance;
- Green and transition finance: Supporting pragmatic pathways toward sustainability, particularly in emerging economies;
- Movable asset financing: Expanding credit access for SMEs through alternative collateral frameworks; and
- Cross-border payments: Enhancing efficiency, transparency, and connectivity in regional payment systems.
These focus areas underscore the dual challenge facing banks today—managing emerging risks while capturing new opportunities—and highlight ABA’s role as a platform for coordinated, forward-looking responses. Enhancing ABA’s Visibility and Regional Engagement The PCAAE podcast provides an important platform for amplifying ABA’s voice beyond its membership, reaching a wider audience of policymakers, industry practitioners, and association leaders.
The discussion will also be featured in an upcoming article in Business Mirror, further extending its impact and reinforcing ABA’s role as a thought leader in regional financial discourse.
ABA expresses its sincere appreciation to PCAAE and Mr. Bobby Peralta for the opportunity to share its perspectives. Such engagements highlight the importance of cross-sector dialogue and collaboration in addressing complex challenges and advancing sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific.
