As the financial landscape undergoes a rapid digital transformation, the next generation of Filipino financial leaders recently gathered at the Brittany Hotel BGC for the 2nd Junior Finance Executives Summit.
The summit, which hosted an exclusive group of approximately 50 to 60 attendees, served as a high-level bridge between the classroom and the boardroom. The event was headlined by the Top 13 Finalists of the 25th Inter-Collegiate Finance Competition (ICFC).
Celebrating academic excellence
IMAGE CREDIT: FINEX – Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines
The summit followed the conclusion of the 25th ICFC, the country’s most prestigious academic competition for finance, banking, and economics.
Organized by the JFINEX Committee of the FINEX Foundation, this year’s silver anniversary edition registered its largest number of participants nationwide to date, with over 100 schools competing across the country.
De La Salle University Manila emerged as the 25th ICFC Champion, receiving a cash prize of ₱100,000. Other top performers included UP Diliman in second place (₱60,000) and UP Visayas in third (₱40,000).
A team of BSBA Financial Management seniors from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) also claimed the 5th rank nationally after navigating a rigorous format that included a final “gold question” requiring open-ended numerical computation.
As these young professionals prepare to enter the workforce, the summit’s message was clear: while they have access to faster tools than any generation before them, their success will ultimately be defined by their accountability and unwavering integrity.
Elevating the finance profession
Photo shows (from L-R:) EJ Qua Hiansen, SVP CFO of PHINMA Corporation; John B. Balce, Senior Managing Director of FTI Consulting Philippines; and Ms. Joweeh B. Liao, Finance Director of Watsons Personal Care Store.
The event featured prominent industry leaders, including EJ Qua Hiansen (SVP CFO of PHINMA Corporation), John B. Balce (Senior Managing Director of FTI Consulting Philippines), and Joweeh B. Liao (Finance Director of Watsons Personal Care Store).
During the media Q&A, Balce emphasized that the competition’s primary goal is to elevate the quality of local finance education. He noted that while technology evolves, the core focus on ethics and integrity remains constant. “I think what doesn’t evolve — and this is one of the key focus areas for this year — is ethics. Our ethics and our integrity, our character, that doesn’t evolve.”
Balce, who served as ICFC Chairman for the 2024 competition, highlighted an increasing trend of schools outside Metro Manila performing better — noting that while Manila giants like DLSU and Ateneo often dominate, schools like UP Visayas and the University of San Carlos have also secured championships.
“We want stronger applicants as well. The more we can improve the quality, the more the finance profession benefits,” he said.
The real path to leading in finance
IMAGE CREDIT: FINEX – Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines
Students at the summit engaged in deep-dive discussions under the theme “The Real Path to Leading in Finance.” While technological proficiency in a fast-changing environment driven by AI was a key topic, speakers reminded students that the core of the profession remains unchanged.
- Ethics as the north star: Integrity and character remain the foundation of the profession despite technological shifts.
- Real-world application: The competition utilizes Microsoft Excel to replicate the actual workplace environment, helping students translate numbers into practice.
- Societal impact: Discussions highlighted the broader impact of finance, from corporate budgeting to national governance. Students were reminded that finance is a tool for national growth, used to build infrastructure and the “best homes” for the public.
Future plans and opportunities
Looking ahead, organizers are exploring the possibility of bringing back international competition. While Southeast Asian nations like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia participated between 2009 and 2012, recent years have focused on local growth.
Beyond cash prizes, joining the ICFC provides students with unparalleled networking opportunities. The top 20 schools are invited to the JFINEX Summit, where students meet C-suite executives and participate in educational tours, such as this year’s visit to the Philippine Stock Exchange.
While employment isn’t guaranteed, many finalists have historically been hired by FINEX member companies.
One of the key speakers for the 25th ICFC, EJ Qua Hiansen, president of FINEX and SVP/CFO of PHINMA Corporation, said, “We’re giving our thoughts on this fast-changing environment, with AI in place, with all of these other things. But the ability of finance to add value to organizations is something that we want to instill as early as possible to these young students.”
A foundation of support
The 25th ICFC and the subsequent summit were made possible through the support of esteemed partners, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., NOAH Business Applications, and PwC Isla Lipana & Co.
Knowledge partners included CFA Society Philippines and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) – Philippines Chapter, whose curricula heavily influenced the competition’s rigorous technical standards.
