H.E. Dr. Thanong Bidaya, Minister of Finance, Thailand (click here to read the full speech )
	Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., former US Congressman and one of the sponsors of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which in 1999 overturned the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933
	M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, governor, Bank of Thailand
	Dr. Ishrat Husain, former governor, State Bank of Pakistan
	Jacques Attali, president, PlaNet Finance
	Dr. Wei S. Yen, managing director of financial institutions, Moody’s Asia Pacific
	David Marshall, managing director of financial institutions, Fitch Ratings

Among the many highlights of the three-day event was the Leadership Advisory Forum. A roundtable of 15 CEOs and senior banking officials kicked off the event with high-level discussions giving perspectives on financial services deregulation. Also discussed were issues on corporate structure that included the pros and cons of adopting the financial holding company structure in the region.

The first day was capped by an elegant awards dinner, where fourteen awards were given for leadership at banks in 13 countries around the region, as well as nine for various skills, and two lifetime achievements awards. Click here to view the full list of winners.The awards were presented by honoured guests Bidaya and Bliley, as well as advisors to the program:

	William Seidman, former chairman of both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Resolution Trust Corporation in the US
	Michael Ong, professor of finance at Stuart Graduate School of Business in Illinois
	Wei S. Yen

Highlights of The Asian Banker Achievement Awards dinner included a speech by Dr. Thanong Bidaya, minister of finance, which touched on the challenges currently being faced by the political system in Thailand. David Eldon, one of two Lifetime Achievement Award 2005 winners, described a long career spent in all parts of Asia, rising through HSBC to the level of chairman, all during a very exciting time in the development of the region, will also be well remembered many years after by all in attendance.

The second day of the Summit began with an opening keynote by Pridiyathorn Devakula, governor of the Bank of Thailand, which addressed the idea of a suitable corporate governance model for Asian banks, stressing the separation of CEO and chairman. Following his address and the subsequent discussion with the former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, delegates attended one of three concurrent sessions:

	Interbank Conference on Cash, Trade and Treasury
	Risk Management and Governance Conference
	The Technology and Operations Council Annual Meeting

In the following six 90-minute sessions, delegates were able to discuss issues of the day in their respective fields, and many sessions included lively Q and A sessions that set the stage for delegates to carry their discussions over into the coffee breaks, networking lunches, or other social gatherings in the Thai capital.

The Asian Banker Summit ended on a forward-looking note, with global finance leader Jacques Attali illustrating the growing opportunities being created in microfinance, which works towards poverty alleviation, economic growth, and ultimately sustainable, profitable business models for banks in the region, and all around the world.

Click HERE to read The Asian Banker Summit 2006 highlights, March 15, 2006.
Click HERE to read The Asian Banker Summit 2006 highlights, March 16, 2006.
Click HERE to read The Asian Banker Summit 2006 highlights, March 17, 2006.

Click HERE the list of winners of the Achievement Awards.