Tan Sri Azman Hashim
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) urged the financial sector to develop the right talent to support financial institutions in their sustainability and green transition journeys in view of the sustainable revolution reshaping Malaysia’s banking and financial landscape.
Chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim said bankers now have a deeper responsibility to embed these considerations into every decision, thought and action with the rise of environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities in the banking and financial industry.
"Financial industry plays a key role in supporting Malaysia’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and aspirations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and responsible bankers play such an important role in contributing to our economy and society.
"As the banking sector is moving towards sustainability-centric initiatives and making stronger commitments towards financing green and environmentally sustainable activities, financial institutions must continue investing in their talents to build capabilities in climate risk and sustainability,” he said in a statement today.
AICB, the sole professional body for Malaysia’s banking industry, recently held its sixth Chartered Banker Conferment ceremony to honour and recognise 97 newly conferred Chartered Bankers who have successfully completed the internationally recognised professional banking qualification.
The institute recently launched the Certificate in Climate Risk programme to meet growing industry demands and lead the industry’s future skills framework initiative, which will help the industry identify future skills and competencies needed for the sector.
Commenting on the event, AICB chief executive Edward Ling said attaining the internationally recognised professional banking designation, Chartered Banker, reflects a personal lifelong commitment to ethical
professionalism, which is the key to achieving ESG goals and responsibilities as an industry.
"We remain committed to elevating the standards of professionalism and ethics in banking and building world-class capabilities for our bankers, with the strong ethical and social responsibilities expected of them,” he said.
On another note, chair of the Learning and Development Board, Chartered Banker Institute, United Kingdom (UK), Ian Hardcastle, said that the recent events have demonstrated when economic conditions become tougher, core banking skills, high standards of ethical behaviour and professionalism, in areas such as credit, risk, and asset and liability management are key to ensuring the safety and soundness of banks.
"Alongside digital finance and sustainable finance, two global megatrends shaping the future of banking, AICB and the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, will continue to ensure that all our Chartered Bankers are equipped to successfully lead banks and banking for many years to come,” he added. - Bernama
--
