JFINEX Summit ignites a fierce war for the country’s top finance minds

FINEX Foundation continues to develop future finance leaders through its Inter-Collegiate Finance Competition (ICFC) and Junior Finance Executive Summit (JFINEX Summit), providing students with mentorship, real-world exposure, and opportunities to apply knowledge.

The programs, run by the FINEX Research and Development Foundation’s Junior FINEX Committee in partnership with JPMorgan Chase & Co., aim to prepare Filipino students for leadership roles in finance.

ICFC and JFINEX Summit reflect the FINEX Foundation’s commitment to bridging academic learning with industry realities, equipping students with technical skills, ethical grounding, and leadership capabilities.

Now in its 25th year, ICFC remains the longest-running finance competition in the Philippines, promoting financial literacy and professional excellence among college students.

This year’s competition featured participants from over 100 universities nationwide, hosted on a web-based platform developed by NOAH Business Applications.

The quiz-based competition drew questions from the Chartered Financial Analyst Level 1 and Certified Management Accountant curricula, covering corporate finance, investments, accounting, reporting, and portfolio management.

An ethics component was integrated into ICFC to encourage the development of finance professionals who combine analytical skill with integrity.

De La Salle University won the 2026 ICFC championship, followed by University of the Philippines–Diliman and University of the Philippines Visayas–Iloilo as first and second runners-up.

The top 13 finalist schools were invited to the JFINEX Summit, where students engaged in mentorship, networking, and professional development sessions.

Activities included a Museum Tour and a Stock Market 101 session at the Philippine Stock Exchange, providing hands-on insights into financial markets.

FINEX President Carlo Enrico Lazatin emphasized the organization’s mission to cultivate finance professionals who drive national growth through confidence, integrity, and innovation.

Keynote speaker Eugene Dela Cruz of Kearney encouraged students to pursue excellence deliberately, stressing that character shapes the long-term impact of financial leadership.

Joweehlyn Liao, Overall Chair of the Junior FINEX Committee, moderated a panel discussion with Dela Cruz, highlighting the role of small wins and disciplined effort in career advancement.

A panel of senior executives from CLSA Exchange Capital, FTI Consulting, Asticom Technology, and the Philippine Stock Exchange shared lessons on leadership, career progression, and resilience.

FINEX Foundation and JPMorgan Chase & Co. view initiatives like ICFC and JFINEX as critical for cultivating ethical, capable, and forward-thinking finance leaders.

By connecting students to industry practitioners and real-world financial environments, the programs foster competence, character, and readiness for professional challenges.

The 25th ICFC was supported by NOAH Business Applications as technology partner, CFA Society Philippines, IMA Philippines, and PwC Philippines as knowledge partners, with FTI Consulting and K-Cat as minor sponsors.