Developing the country’s future finance leaders takes more than classroom instruction. It requires exposure to real-world challenges, mentorship, and opportunities to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. This vision drives the Inter-Collegiate Finance Competition (ICFC) and the Junior Finance Executive Summit (JFINEX Summit), two flagship initiatives of the FINEX Research and Development Foundation, Inc., through its Junior FINEX Committee in partnership with JPMorgan Chase & Co. These programs aim to prepare Filipino students for leadership roles in the finance profession.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the FINEX Foundation’s continuing commitment to nurturing the next generation of finance professionals and industry leaders. For more than a decade, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has remained a valued partner and strong advocate in advancing finance education in the Philippines. The programs focus on bridging academic learning and real-world finance industry demands, equipping students with technical knowledge, leadership skills, confidence, and ethical grounding.
A Platform for Future Finance Leaders
Now in its 25th year, the ICFC remains the longest-running finance competition in the Philippines. It continues to promote financial literacy and professional excellence among college students nationwide. This year, the competition gathered participants from more than 100 universities and colleges across the country through a web-based platform developed by NOAH Business Applications. The digitization of ICFC, in collaboration with NOAH Business Applications as a long-time technology partner, enabled faster and simultaneous nationwide execution.
Students competed in a rigorous quiz bee based on a question bank aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Curriculum and the Certified Management Accountant Curriculum. The competition covered corporate finance, investments, financial accounting and reporting, and portfolio management.
Beyond technical knowledge, ICFC also integrates an ethics component. This reflects FINEX Foundation’s advocacy of developing finance professionals who combine analytical expertise with integrity.
“This shows the level of finance talent nationwide, but more importantly, it highlights the value of preparation—what students learn through the process and the confidence they develop,” said Edmund Alan Qua Hiansen, FINEX Foundation Chairman.
Among this year’s top ICFC winners were De La Salle University as champion, University of the Philippines–Diliman as first runner-up, and University of the Philippines Visayas–Iloilo as second runner-up.
Learning Beyond the Competition
To further enhance learning outcomes, the Top 13 finalist schools of the Inter-Collegiate Finance Competition (ICFC) were invited to participate in the JFINEX Summit. Participating institutions included De La Salle University, University of the Philippines-Diliman, University of the Philippines Visayas-Iloilo, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, General de Jesus College, Guagua National Colleges, CSTC – College of Sciences, Technology and Communications, Inc., MAPUA University-Makati, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Batangas State University-ARASOF, and Kingfisher School of Business and Finance.
The summit brings together outstanding finance students and industry leaders to foster learning, mentorship, networking, and professional development. It also opens opportunities for potential recruitment. Participants gain insights into real-world finance practices while developing leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills essential in today’s workplace.
As part of the 2nd JFINEX Summit at the Philippine Stock Exchange, participants attended a museum tour and a Stock Market 101 session with Andoy Beltran, Stockbroker of First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation during the PSE Exchange Visit.
Insights from Industry Leaders
FINEX President Carlo Enrico Lazatin, President and CEO of DES Financing Corp., emphasized the organization’s mission of developing finance professionals who contribute to national progress.
“Our theme, Catalyzing Confidence, Leading Capital, Integrity and Innovation for the Nation, is a call for finance professionals to move forward, drive innovation, and contribute to the progress the country needs today,” Lazatin said.
Keynote speaker Eugene Dela Cruz, Junior Analyst at Kearney, shared insights to guide students in their future careers. He encouraged participants to pursue excellence with purpose and integrity.
He says, “You stand at the edge of your future. Be ambitious, be excellent—but above all, be deliberate about the world your excellence builds. Capital may move markets, but character moves generations. The future of finance will not only be written in spreadsheets; it will be written in the lives that are different because you are here.”
Joweehlyn Liao, Overall Chair of the Junior FINEX Committee and Finance Director of Watsons Philippines, shared guidance on navigating careers in finance and moderated a panel discussion with Eugene.
Highlighting the summit’s theme of growth, the discussion explored defining career moments in Eugene’s journey. Participants gained insight into discipline, resilience, and the importance of small wins that contributed to his role at Kearney.
JFINEX Chair Joweehlyn Liao says, “Failure is not the end of the world; it can be a catalyst for something new and an opportunity to discover different paths.”
Eugene replied, “I can only imagine that you feel like there’s just so much failure ahead. And winning, no matter how small it is, you take it any day. One of the biggest lessons turning into a bigger opportunity. I think my life story is in itself. I treated it as a failure, but now, looking at it, and now that I am in a position where I can retrospectively reflect on my experiences, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today, although it might be cliche, without my past experiences.”
A panel discussion followed with senior executives including Paolo Antonio Azurin of CLSA Exchange Capital, Inc., John Balce of FTI Consulting Philippines, Inc. and CFA Society Philippines, Mharicar C. Castillo-Reyes of Asticom Technology, Inc., and Atty. Roel A. Refran of the Philippine Stock Exchange. They shared lessons on leadership, career growth, and resilience in the finance industry.
Investing in the Future of the Profession
For FINEX Foundation and JPMorgan Chase & Co., the ICFC and JFINEX Summit go beyond academic activities. They represent a long-term investment in developing ethical, capable, and future-ready finance leaders in the Philippines.
By connecting students with industry practitioners, exposing them to real-world financial environments, and reinforcing excellence in both competence and character, these initiatives continue to shape the future of the Philippine finance profession.
The 25th ICFC was supported by NOAH Business Applications as Technology Partner, CFA Society Philippines, IMA Philippines, PwC Philippines/Isla Lipana & Co. as Knowledge Partners, and FTI Consulting Philippines, Inc. and K-Cat, Inc. as minor sponsors.
