MABS conducted an institutional assessment of the Rural Bank of Angeles in November to assess the bank’s capability to implement microfinance in its banking operations. Established in 1953, RB Angeles has five branches and other banking offices located in Pampanga and Tarlac.

In coordination with the bank’s top management led by its president, Mr. Robin King, MABS reviewed the results of the initial market research conducted at the bank’s branch in Capas, Tarlac. The MABS team also interviewed the bank’s top officers, branch managers, and microfinance staff to weigh their interest and ability to do the MABS Approach. Finally, MABS analyzed the bank’s management information system (MIS)to evaluate its capacity to generate the reports MABS requires from its participating banks.

To pursue its microfinance initiative, RB Angeles hired new microfinance staff members and prepared resources for training and equipping its new staff. It also engaged the services of MICRA Philippines, …