FICOBank Inaugurates Its San Fernando Branch

Following FICOBank’s success in setting its market footprint in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, the Bank hit another huge market, as San Fernando (Pampanga) Branch carried out its inaugural banking activities on June 17, 2013. This was brought about by the transfer of Mangaldan (Pangasinan) Branch to the said City.

After a thorough study of the social and economic conditions of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, the Board of Directors, through the strong recommendation of the Senior Management, decided to relocate FICOBank’s Mangaldan Branch in it to take advantage of its great market potential.

The grand opening of FICOBank’s San Fernando Branch started with a blessing-and-dedication rites officiated by Rev. Aristotle R. Delos Santos of the Kamuning Bible Christian Fellowship. This was immediately followed by the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Hon. Oscar S. Rodriguez, Congressman-elect of the Third District of Pampanga. Mr. Herminio G. Ocampo, President/CEO of FICOBank, in the presence of the Board of Directors, officers and staff of the Bank, key officials of the City of San Fernando, other visitors and would-be clients, flavored the inaugural address by revealing himself as a cabalen (kababayan) of the Capampangans, which made the Bank closer to the heart of the residents of the City. President Ocampo highlighted the socio-economic profile of the City by mentioning the presence of 245 financial institutions, which is a manifestation of the City’s development and economic growth. In his message, the President was also very pleased to announce that San Fernando Branch will be manned by well-trained and customer-service-driven personnel, headed by Mr. Reynaldo U. Valdez, Jr. Meanwhile, the Bank’s profile and recent developments were shared by Ms. Carlyn M. Viloria, Human Resource and Administration Department Head, to the guests and visitors.    

As a Capampangan, Congressman-elect Rodriguez surprised the Bank’s stakeholders by saying that the Ilocanos are very close to his heart. In his inspirational message, he assured the audience that the City of San Fernando, as the center of commerce in the province of Pampanga, is a safe and strategic place to put up a business undertaking. He added that the private sector, which includes businesses and financial institutions, plays an important and parallel role in the governance and development of the City. Subsequently, Hon. Edwin D. Santiago, Mayor-elect of the City of San Fernando, expressed his gratitude to FICOBank for choosing their City as one of its branch locations. He further assured the spectators that they will do their best to make the City of San Fernando a better place in doing business.

The Chairman of the Board, Atty. Estalker A. Argonza, conveyed his sincerest appreciation for the warm welcome from the residents of the City of San Fernando. He said that he has high hopes in opening a branch in the said City because of its fast-growing population and ever-booming economy. He is optimistic that the opening of a branch in the City will make the presence of FICOBank strongly felt in the province of Pampanga. He added that the Bank’s wide array of financial products and services will definitely cater to the financial needs of the people in the metropolis.

The opening of San Fernando Branch will definitely and significantly benefit the Bank and the City of San Fernando. Both parties are looking forward to the success of their newly established partnership for development.