PSBank's Jose Martin Velasquez to discuss the efficiency of digital transformation at the 2018 Retail Banking Forum in Manila

He will also talk about how banks can grow from shifting their strategy to retail banking.

Jose Martin Velasquez, Philippine Savings Bank’s First Vice President-General Services Division Head, will be a speaker at the Manila leg of the Retail Banking Forum 2018, to be held in Manila on 28 February at the Shangri-La Makati.

The brief interview below reveals his background, business philosophies, and more.

What are your previous experiences and positions held that contributed to who you are as a banker today?
I basically rose from the ranks. After graduating from De La Salle University with degrees in Economics and Management of Financial Institution, I started working for a bank branch as a liquidity manager in BPI.

In 1996, I was a chief dealer in BPI Capital Corporation. I completed my MBA in DLSU, then in 2003, I became a deputy treasurer in First Metro Investment Corp.

I joined Philippine Savings Bank in 2004 as treasurer, then Metrobank as international department head in 2015. Last year, I rejoined PSBank as First Vice President-General Services Division Head.

What are your key business philosophies?
More than being a banker I think I have always been an entrepreneur. The following are my business philosophies: The higher the return, the higher the risk. All risks are measurable. Each business has its own inherent risks. Don’t go into a business if you cannot handle the risk. If you don’t want risks, keep your money in the TD of the top tier banks or government bonds.

Can you give us a glimpse of what you will share at the panel discussion at the ABF Retail Banking Forum in Manila?
I will talk about the efficiency of digital transformation in banks. The reason why I chose this topic is to allow me share insights given my treasury background more than in retail banking. I noticed that interest rates are on the way up and banks will have to shift their strategy to retail banking.

What will help the banking business grow from the retail banking sector? How can retail banking contribute to the targeted growth of banking institutions? How will the landscape change to accommodate new forms of transaction banking? These are what I intend to discuss and hopefully drum up some interest and discussions towards its development.