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navigate_nextMedianavigate_nextOur Newsnavigate_nextACLEDA Bank's Book Launch
ACLEDA Bank's Book Launch
August 16, 2022
Heather A. Clark
Greetings! I am honored - to be with you today because you are all parts of this book. You have contributed from a time "When There Was No Money", - the first book - which told the ACLEDA Story from 1992 to 2006. And now, 14 years later to the year 2020 - the ACLEDA Group had reached "Beyond Borders, and Beyond Banking".
As you know, the ACLEDA story is about more than banking. It began with a small group of teachers who were determined to build a business development project for demobilized soldiers in 1992. That was the history told in "When There Was No Money". The story traced the small victories, the high risks, the astounding triumphs, and brilliant attitudes of a group of people as they built a small project for demobilized soiders into the largest commercial retail bank network in Cambodia by 2003.
This is a story about corporate values and the people who have them; and a story of perseverance and professionalism. By example, this group of teachers turned bankers attempted to change the way banking and business worked in Cambodia. And, they were successful.
Some of you who are here today told me in 2006, that this was the first book they read that said something so positive about Cambodia, even while discussing the significant challenges.
In 2020 Beyond Banking, Beyond Borders continues the ACLEDA Story and focuses on the science of finance, while keeping a values-based approach. The science looks beyond a group of financial services providers. It analyzes how the financial market system works. New functions emerge as the market grows - some detect and address risks that threaten the system, and others harness technology to develop new products and services that are more transparent, honest, principled, consumer friendly, and safer for both the organizations that provide financial services… and for their customers.
ACLEDA's drive to innovate stimulated other financial market functions to emerge that were untested in Cambodia. The People's IPO through the Cambodian Stock Exchange is one on these innovations. Through an initial public offering (IPO) ACLEDA began a process of offering shares to the public in a new stock and for the first time. Most significant this new stock issue allowed ACLEDA Bank Plc. to revise its ownership structure while staying true to its original vision and in keeping with its values.
As Dr. In Channy says... "ACLEDA always viewed its customers as builders of the bank... Listing allows the customers to become owners the bank."
Innovation and pioneering efforts entail investment and risk. Borders crossed were not only geographic with the ACLEDA Group's expansion to the Lao PDR with ACLEDA Bank Lao and to Myanmar with ACLEDA Microfinance Myanmar.
When the Bank's in-house training division transformed into the ACLEDA Institute of Business (AIB), other sectors of the Cambodian economy and a new segment of the population began to benefit directly from the Group's history.
This group of "teachers turned bankers" built another dream to benefit a new generation. AIB continues to educate and develop a cadre of young bankers for the benefit of the financial sectors in Cambodia, the Lao PDR and Myanmar. And that dream reaches beyond what was earlier thought to be next to impossible. In fact AIB has deep outreach into rural farming communities in Cambodia through scholarships available to talented young people with their own dreams.
I am so honored to have been chosen to document your history so that the current generation and the generations to come throughout the world can learn about how change is possible and dreams that can and do come true. Thank you for allowing me to tell your story.
In closing, I would like to give you a few quotes about your history from a number of people who have contributed so much to advancing inclusive finance in Cambodia and throughout the world.
"Often, I am asked about the challenge of re-building a banking sector that suffered complete destruction. During my tenure as Minister of Economy and Finance, we placed great emphasis on building the financial sector and re-creating a vibrant and inclusive banking system... At that time, we believed financial inclusion was the backbone of our future financial sector – a financial sector that would have a strong foundation in the banking system and focus investment in micro, small and medium enterprises. We have not been disappointed, and we re-doubled efforts in that direction."
HE Keat Chhon
Former Minister of Economy and Finance
"The ACLEDA Story is a notable one in the field of inclusive finance. It shows how a group of people determined to unlock barriers to finance in Cambodia, the Lao PDR and Myanmar on a significant scale. Their quest to offer a variety of suitable products to reduce exclusion and corruption and build equity shows how, ultimately — it is because of their attention to "human" capital."
Judith Karl
Executive Secretary, United Nations Capital Development Fund
The leadership of ACLEDA Bank has always recognized the importance of education. With the ACLEDA Institute of Business, the Bank has taken an important step in creating an environment in which Cambodia's future leaders are given every opportunity to grow and develop themselves, their fellow students, the businesses and institutions they work for – or those that they will create themselves.
Dr. Gerhardos J.A. Hummels
Professor School of Economics Maastricht University
"With innovative methods of learning and leveraging strategic industry partnerships, AIB seeks to broaden the talent pool, deepen the expertise, and develop a future workforce that will contribute to the growth of the country and the region in the years ahead."
Dr Eric TeoKhee Hwee, Professor Nanyang Business School Singapore
Let's hear directly from the New Generation
"Deposit and transfer audit work requires strict, rigorous and independent responsibilities. I am very committed to this work. And, I am proud to be able to protect staff and customers from fraud and other risks."
Mrs. Nget Nary Head of Deposit and Transfer Audit Department, 2017
"The new generation likes to work for ACLEDA Bank because ACLEDA Bank is an ethical bank... We feel we are part of Cambodia's development by raising people's income and taking part in the process."
Mr. Sen Sokla ACLEDA Bank Corporate Secretary, 2016
Finally, I offer you two more quotes that show the heart and soul - the science and the poetry - of the ACLEDA Group that is captured in "Beyond Borders, Beyond Banking".
"I believe that this is truly an exciting time for financial inclusion and regional cooperation. Notably, it offers the promise for the new generation to hone their talents and build their values to advance the field far into the future."
HE Keat Chhon
The heart and soul of ACLEDA Banking Group can also be found in the practice of a young credit officer in ACLEDA MFI Myanmar.
When she was asked "who do you think are your best customers? She thought a while, mentally going through the meetings and the files, faces and the conversations with her customers. Then she smiled with the conviction of her beliefs and practices. She said, "They are all my best customers."
This is the ACLEDA legacy that you will find in Beyond Borders, Beyond Banking.
Now I take the last word, and I thank you for allowing me to tell your story, and share the good news from Cambodia.
