AICB is the sole professional body for bankers in Malaysia and the Asean region and jointly awards the Chartered Banker status with the Chartered Banker Institute UK.
SUSTAINABLE banking and green financing, once niche concepts, have now become a driving force behind financial decision-making.
Banks and financial institutions worldwide are recognising the importance of sustainable banking, as factors such as climate change pose significant risks to the stability of the economy and financial systems.
Due to these ever-evolving challenges, there has been a shift in the global banking sphere to mitigate these concerns.
The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into lending, investing and risk assessment processes has altered the way that the banking industry operates.
Therefore, it is crucial for banking professionals to continuously learn and upskill themselves with modern-day banking requirements, to ensure they have the capacity for success in their sustainability and green transition journeys.
Becoming a Chartered Banker means strong career growth opportunities and industry recognition.
Chartered Banker programme
As the sole professional body for bankers in Malaysia and the Asean region, the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) continues to build the skills and competencies, and raise the ethical professionalism standards of the banking workforce to further support the industry’s transition into a greener economy, through its professional banking qualifications and thought leadership initiatives.
One way AICB helps bankers to achieve the highest standards of professionalism and core banking capabilities is through its globally recognised flagship Chartered Banker programme – the gold standard for professionals working in the banking sector.
The programme is jointly offered with the Chartered Banker Institute, UK – the only body globally able to confer the status of Chartered Banker.
The Chartered Banker qualification provides two routes to attain the prestigious designation: the Standard Route and the Experiential Route.
The Standard Route comprises three levels, along with its membership progression pathway, while the Experiential Route is a pathway for highly experienced bankers and industry leaders to attain the Chartered Banker status and gain professional recognition for their knowledge and contributions to banking.
With the Chartered Banker status, bankers are recognised as highly qualified professionals with a detailed knowledge of the modern banking sector and its ethical and professional requirements needed to make sound professional judgements and informed decisions in their daily responsibilities.
Attaining the Chartered Banker status also provides bankers with strong career growth opportunities, industry recognition, networking opportunities and holistic professional development.
AICB promotes the highest standards of competence, ethical conduct and professionalism in the banking industry.
Certificate in Climate Risk programme
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the consequences reverberate through the global economy.
Recognising that these risks are not only environmental but financial in nature, the banking industry is compelled to assess, mitigate and adapt to climate risk.
Privy to this, AICB has recently launched the Certificate in Climate Risk (CICR) programme to meet the growing industry demands.
CICR is awarded by the Chartered Body Alliance, comprising the Chartered Banker Institute, UK (CBI), Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), and offered by AICB.
The programme encompasses a wide range of developments in climate change and its impacts, the rapidly evolving policy and regulatory landscape relating to climate risks, and the substantial progress in finance sector practices to address climate and broader sustainability risks.
The qualification will develop a learner’s professional knowledge, understanding and skills relating to climate change, as well as the ability to support customers, clients, colleagues and communities with the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon world.
CICR is a self-study qualification with comprehensive learning materials that are accessible online. Candidates will be assessed via a one-and-a-half-hour, 75-question multiple-choice examination delivered online via remote invigilation.
Learners will attain the Certified Climate Risk Professional (Cert CRP) designation upon completion of the programme and may choose to further progress to any of the programmes under Level 2 of the Chartered Banker qualification.
Membership with the institute provides bankers with knowledge, recognition, support and opportunities for personal and professional growth, and is open to employees and former employees of financial institutions, as well as other individuals who intend to pursue a career in banking.
AICB’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities assist members to keep up-to-date in terms of knowledge and practice, enhance their competencies to perform well professionally, and provide added value to their organisations.
The institute also organises various thought leadership initiatives, including its flagship conferences, the Malaysian Banking Conference and the International Conference on Financial Crime and Terrorism Financing, as platforms for industry practitioners to convene and discuss key trends and developments in the banking industry, as well as network with the banking community.
AICB is a member of the Joint Committee for Climate Change (JC3) Sub-Committee 4 (Engagement and Capacity Building), a founding and board member of the Global Banking Education Standards Board (GBEStB), and an associate member of the European Banking & Financial Services Training Association (EBTN).
The institute is also leading the financial sector’s Future Skills Framework (FSF) together with IBFIM and The Malaysian Insurance Institute (MII). The FSF is an industry-led framework that will promote skills mastery, facilitate continuous learning and build a sustainable talent ecosystem within the financial sector.
The institute’s industry affiliates include the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI), International Compliance Association (ICA), ACI–Financial Markets Association of Malaysia (ACI–FMAM) and its exclusive training partner, the Asian Banking School (ABS). These longstanding strategic partnerships further exemplify the institute’s commitment across all areas of the industry to advance the technical and ethical competence of its members.
The institute actively engages with industry experts to ensure that its suite of qualifications remains relevant and future-proof, equipping bankers with the requisite skills and values to keep pace with the fast-evolving banking landscape.
Those interested in signing up for an AICB membership can visit https://www.aicb.org.my/membership.
For more information on the professional banking education programmes offered by AICB, visit www.aicb.com.my.
