On March 7, 2024, the Financial Seminar Series [18] of the Faculty of Finance at the City University of Macau was held at the Ho Yin Convention Centre on Taipa Campus. The Seminar featured Ms. Yingying Cai, Deputy General Manager of the Macao Branch of Agricultural Bank of China, as the keynote speaker, who shared insights on the topic "Exploration and Practice of Social Finance." Guests attending this seminar include Dean Adrian Cheung and Associate Dean Eva Khong of the Faculty of Finance, City University of Macau.

Ms. Yingying Cai graduated from the Department of Economics at Lingnan College Sun Yat-Sen University. She has worked in the Agricultural Bank of China for 30 years, holding various positions in corporate loans, personal finance, human resources, social finance, and cross-border finance at the Shenzhen and Macau branches. She has served as Deputy General Manager of the Human Resources Department in the Shenzhen Branch, Branch General Manager of the Central District, General Manager of the International Business Department, General Manager of the Corporate Business Department, and Senior Expert. She possesses extensive experience in financial management.

Ms. Yingying Cai began by explaining the concept of social finance to the students. Social finance is a new investment and wealth management approach that differs from traditional financial models. It focuses on generating economic returns while bringing welfare to society, measuring both financial and social returns. Categories of social finance include impact investing, social impact investing, socially responsible investing, inclusive finance, and green finance.

According to Ms. Yingying Cai, the development of social finance is a inevitable trend for multiple reasons. Firstly, it serves the national strategy and aligns with policy directions. In China, common prosperity is an important development goal set by the Central Committee of the Party, and constructing a coordinated system of primary distribution, redistribution, and tertiary distribution is crucial for achieving this goal. The promotion of social finance helps in the effective allocation of resources, thus advancing the goal of common prosperity. Secondly, there is an urgent need for sustainable corporate development, and taking on social responsibilities is an important direction for business growth. In modern society, companies must pursue not only economic benefits but also focus on the sustainability of society and the environment. Social finance offers a platform for businesses to better fulfill their social responsibilities and achieve high-quality development through transformation and upgrading. Under the context of common prosperity and sustainable societal development, companies are shifting from a profit-maximizing business model to one that emphasizes both righteousness and profitability, efficiency and fairness, and serving society. Furthermore, financial institutions are actively deploying in the field of  social finance, using it as an opportunity to create competitive advantages. With changes in government focus and the economy, institutions anticipate favorable policies and are actively engaging in research, talent development, product innovation, and platform creation in social finance.

In China, social finance is still in its infancy, and compared to developed countries, there is a long way to go. However, the challenges we face are not just about the use of tools but also about building a fundamental ecosystem. The development of social finance requires the promotion of social concepts, social investors with high literacy and adequate funds, as well as a credible social evaluation mechanism and assessment institutions. Only by gradually establishing a diverse and collaborative ecosystem can we ensure the sustainable development of social finance.

The essence of social finance is to steer the financial industry towards goodness, which requires in-depth research and advocacy within the sector. More importantly, financial institutions need to consider their value and significance from a social function perspective and build a unique financial service system and products to address social issues. However, there is still a shortage of interdisciplinary talent in the field of social finance, and talent development needs to precede the evolution of social finance. Fortunately, the widespread adoption of the internet has accelerated the development of social finance. The application of internet technology provides broader channels for dissemination and participation in social finance, helping it reach a wider audience.

In conclusion, whether from the perspective of serving national strategies, responding to customer demands, or competing in the industry, promoting financial benevolence is an inevitable trend. As a link between governments, businesses and individuals, financial institutions empower donors, charitable enterprises, and non-profit organizations by establishing complete capital, information, and service chains, ensuring that charitable resources flow precisely, smoothly, and securely to vulnerable groups. Under the innovative governance model of co-construction, co-governance, and co-sharing, financial institutions play a crucial role as key hubs in wealth distribution, significantly contributing to the well-being of the population.

Lastly, the Faculty of Finance at the City University of Macau expressed sincere gratitude to Ms. Yingying Cai, Deputy General Manager of the Agricultural Bank of China's Macao Branch, for her insightful presentation. The teachers and students of the City University of Macau expressed deep appreciation and recognized their responsibility as the younger generation, hoping to use finance as a bridge to serve society and achieve common prosperity in the future. This seminar provided important guidance and inspiration for the students' future development and also created a platform for exchange and learning among the teachers and students of the City University of Macau.