Such availability has served as a valuable source of information in credit assessment and help expedite loan processing time. In the same vein, with greater availability of information on SMEs from the Bureau, the processing time for SME loans can be similarly shortened and decisions to grant financing can be made based on a more comprehensive set of information. We hope and encourage the financial institutions to avail themselves of the services provided by the Bureau and help create a healthier and more transparent credit culture amongst the SMEs and lenders. I would now like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the award recipients today. We hope the recognition accorded by CGC will help to create a better understanding of the spirit behind this initiative, which is aimed at fostering mutually beneficial working relationship between the CGC and the financial institutions for the over-arching objective of promoting SME sector development. You have certainly given us your unwavering support through your active participation in our guarantee schemes. We look forward to your greater participation in the future. On another note, I would take this opportunity, in conjunction with our 35th AGM, to thank all employees of CGC for their understanding and commitment in adopting and adapting to changes. This include the internal organizational change that we have been through in the past two years to face the challenges of the dynamic business environment of today. Thank you for the kind attention and have a pleasant day. 2  BIS Review 75/2008
I should also mention that Hong Kong is not alone in this culture campaign. In October last year, I was invited by President Bill Dudley of the New York Federal Reserve Bank to join him in a panel to discuss corporate culture. This was in fact the third annual conference on culture organised by the New York Fed. The key takeaway from the New York conference was that there is a growing momentum amongst key supervisors as well as large international financial 3/4  BIS central bankers' speeches  firms to encourage and nurture good corporate culture and ethical values in the industry. I should also add that, since my appointment to chair the Standing Committee on Supervisory and Regulatory Cooperation of the Financial Stability Board in April this year, I have been pushing for closer international collaboration in promoting good corporate culture. The priority of this Committee in the next year or two is to place greater emphasis on three aspects of governance, namely, (i) addressing information gaps and due diligence in employment of individuals with a history of misconduct, or the so called “rolling bad apples” problem, (ii) responsibility mapping for senior managers of financial firms, and (iii) the use of governance framework and appropriate compensation system to address culture risk factors that drive misconduct. These priorities, when implemented, will go a long way in promoting the right kind of culture in the financial industry and in helping restore public confidence and trust in the financial firms.