Emiratisation: EIBFS recognizes 61 Emiratis from HSBC for successful completion of certified banking operation program

Dubai-UAE: xx May 2022–Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), a regional leader in banking and finance education and training, hosted a graduation ceremony to award 61 Emirati professionals from HSBC for completing the Certified Banking Operation Program (CBO), part of the institute’s Emiratisation drive. The CBO program sets out competency and practice-oriented development modules covering seven banking practices and specializations.

Over five weeks, through the program, the participants were given an in-depth understanding of various banking areas such as risk management, business ethics and quality management, banking law in UAE and banking theories and practices. Moreover, the course also covered operational aspects as well as various technology and regulatory requirements.

The International program was delivered in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers through a mix of e-learning sessions as well as live classes to provide support for Emiratisation initiatives and qualify national cadres to ensure their career growth.

Jamal Al Jassmi, General Manager of EIBFS and Abdulfattah Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC UAE and Head of International, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, both handed out the certificates to the trainees at a graduation ceremony that was held at the EIBFS XXX campus.

The event was attended by EIBFS board of directors chaired by His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.

Jamal Al Jassmi, said: “We are pleased to have delivered the Certified Banking Operation Program to the Emirati workforce at HSBC. The program is designed to prepare Emirati finance professionals to take on the challenges facing the banking and financial services sector today and turn them into opportunities. We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with HSBC and are happy to be able to serve their learning and development needs.”

He added: “At EIBFS, we are committed to accelerate the UAE government’s Emiratisation efforts through offering a well-rounded experience to our trainees and executing a competency driven qualifications for the various jobs in the banking sector to support UAE nationals in skilling, upskilling and reskilling them in various banking domains and assist the banks to reach their annual recruitment and training targets. We are proud of all that they have achieved so far and wish them all the very best for all their future endeavors in the banking sector.”

Abdulfattah Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC UAE and Head of International, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, said: “Energising for growth is one of the four pillars of our global strategy and it encourages an inclusive culture that fosters diversity and provides opportunities for development to all. Investing in our local talent to help develop future skills that enhance competitiveness in the industry is particularly close to my heart. The EIBFS programme will provide a strong foundation for our graduates and accelerate their integration into the finance and banking world.”

Over the years, EIBFS has managed to carve a niche for itself in the region for providing best-in-class training and education programs in the banking and finance industry and have trained around 300,000 banking professionals during the past 38 years. In 2021, the institute trained 32,317 professionals of which 36 per cent were Emirati bankers playing an important role in supporting the UAE’s Emiratization strategy to increase Emirati representation in the workforce.

In October, EIBFS unveiled its 2022 Annual Training Plan (ATP), a skills map for financial and banking professionals to deepen specialist skillsets to better serve the UAE’s growing banking ecosystem. The plan features a range of international certificates, professional certificates, Insight e-learning and learning bundles. Trainees can opt for full-fledged courses, micro-learning modules or self-paced learning options.