China Bank’s Limer Quinnie Barbasa topped the recently-concluded Fund Managers Association of the Philippines’ (FMAP) Banks and Brokers Poll in the Best Fixed Income Trader-Local Currency Desk category. Barbasa and another China Bank securities dealer, Jerome Musico, who placed third in the Best Income Trader-Foreign Currency Desk category, were honored at FMAP’s Annual Awards and Fellowship Night last July 15 at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

Left to right: Paul Joseph Garcia of ING - Awards Committee Chairman; PSE Chairman Hans Sicat; Cris Arceo - FMAP VP and China Bank AVP; Tony Espedido, Jr. - China Bank SVP and head of Treasury Group; BSP Managing Director, Dr. Noe Ravalo; Maria Theresa Javier - FMAP Pres.; Jerome Musico; and Bing Barbasa

This is the second time that a China Bank trader was honored by FMAP.  Musico also won 3rd place for Best Foreign Currency Dealer from FMAP in 2008. The association has been conducting the Banks and Brokers Poll annually since 2001 to give recognition to equities brokers and fixed income houses that have given quality service to FMAP’s member institutions.  At the recent awarding, a total of fourteen awards were conferred to the most outstanding analysts, sales people and economists for the year 2009.

"To be recognized for the kind of work that we do on behalf of investors is very uplifting.   We are very proud and happy of this achievement,” said Barbasa. Musico shared his colleague’s sentiment and added, “Guided by Management, we were able to consistently make the right calls for the funds we manage.  We thank our boss, Mr. Antonio Espedido, Jr. and the whole China Bank fixed income team.”

Barbasa, 33, has been a securities dealer for the past ten years.  A Certified Treasury Professional, she completed the Money Market Certification Program in 2000 and the Foreign Exchange Certification Program in 2001. She then joined China Bank in 2002 as one of the Bank’s fixed income traders responsible for its trading and investment portfolio. In 2009, she obtained her license to sell securities from the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to Barbasa, her main strategy in trading is “using relative value analysis.”  She ensures to offer the best prices to clients.

On the other hand, 26 year-old Musico, has been with China Bank since 2005 as a trader for the Treasury Business Center. His career in trading began in 2006 when he completed the Treasury Certification Program of the Ateneo de Manila – Bankers’ Association of the Philippines Institute of Banking for money market in 2006 and for forex in 2009.   He shared that “carefully analyzing the risks and returns” guides his every move.

The fixed income market is generally made up of fixed income securities that are traded locally and globally. Fixed income securities are evidences of indebtedness on the part of the issuer or borrower. On the other hand, they are also viewed as long-term investments on the part of the lenders. The borrowers that issue the bonds may be governments, government agencies, or corporations. The lenders who buy the bonds can be banks, insurance companies, pension plans, or individuals. China Bank is one of the major players in the fixed income market. The Bank ranks 6th place over-all (primary and secondary markets) and 5th place in the secondary market and is consistently recognized by the Bureau of Treasury for its exemplary effort and contributions in money market and capital development.  China Bank actively facilitates the sale of treasury bills and treasury bonds in support of the government’s efforts to raise funds to ensure continued economic growth.

FMAP, an organization of equity and fixed income managers, was established in 1997 with the mission of fostering the development of the capital and financial markets, in particular, the fund management industry.  Its membership has steadily grown over the years through participation in activities largely aimed at informing and thereby protecting the investing public. It is currently composed of 158 individual members from 43 institutions comprising of banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, pension funds, schools and domestic corporations.