EIBFS Established First CSR Committee in the Banking Sector

The Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), a regional leader in banking & finance education and training, recently established the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee in the banking sector. Sarah Al-Mheiri, Manager – Marketing at Al Etihad Credit Bureau, was elected as the committee’s Chairperson, and Hani Al-Zubaidi, CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation – UAE as the Vice-Chairperson.

The CSR Committee has been established for organisations in the financial, banking and insurance sectors to fulfil their commitment and vision of supporting the community and working towards betterment of the society. The committee aims to build awareness and promote financial knowledge and responsibility to individuals and companies in the sector. The is looking to impart knowledge that will build a more financially sound society. It will also promote and through education aid in understanding of building a debt-free life.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting that was attended by the executives from the banking and finance sector, Noura Abbas, Director Program Administration & Delivery Division at EIBFS, said: “The banking industry plays an important role in the economy of the country, and also has a responsibility to contribute to achieving sustainable development in the sector. To achieve sustainable goals in the banking and finance sectors and to build a more financially accountable society, we established the CSR Committee that will take the ownership of helping the community to grow in a responsible way. Through this we aim to unify efforts and ideas and adopt new strategies to practice CSR and bring the banking and finance stakeholders under one umbrella.”

Chairperson Sarah Al-Mheiri, said: “We are happy that Al Etihad Credit Bureau is part of the EIBFS CSR Committee, that is supporting programs and initiatives on financial literacy and credit education through educating the community on how to manage their income and expenses as per best practices. The CSR Committee will no doubt contribute to enhancing the individuals’ financial behaviour specially during the application and debt burden analysis stages. I look forward as Chairperson of the committee to collaborate with the committee members to reach the assigned goals through the various initiatives of EIBFS and Al Etihad Credit Bureau.”

Hani Al-Zubaidi, said: “I am honored to join the CSR Committee as Vice Chairman. I would like express gratitude to EIBFS for this initiative and am prepared to support the Institute’s agenda to help the society by raising awareness of the importance of financial knowledge in the community through proper planning for the future of individuals and institutions.”

The CSR Committee also comprises of members from across the sector and includes, Bryan Stirewalt, Chief Executive, Dubai Financial Services Authority, Souheil Soueid, Head of Products & Solutions, MENA, Google, Abbas Basrai, Partner, KPMG Lower Gulf Limited, Chawki Kaddoura, Head of Learning & Development, Dubai Islamic Bank, Sandeep Poduval, Head of Marketing, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Paul Firth, Managing Director, ICAS MENA and Abeer AlRasbi, Director, Student Leadership, Student Affairs Deanship, Zayed University.