Maiden annual Bankers Day slated for February 27

The occasion, according to the officials of the Gambia Bankers Association, will bring together 200 stakeholders in all sectors ranging from the banking industry, to government and other financial institutions, as well as the general public to interact and to be informed on the modest achievements of the institute and the association.

It was also expected that the day would become an annual event in the calendar of the association.

During the celebration, deserving students who have successfully completed the diploma and the Associate Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB), intermediate professional programme will be awarded certificates.

Individuals and institutes that have made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the association will also be honoured with certificates for their meritorious services.

It will also witness the launching of the website of the association and the institute on the day.

It was agreed by the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Bankers of The Gambia, at their meeting held on 12 January 2016 after they approved the proposal made by the secretariat, for the association and the institute to organise an annual Bankers Day.

The Gambia Bankers Association was registered at the Attorney General Chambers on 27 February 2002 through the collective efforts of the managing directors of all the commercial banks licensed to operate in The Gambia.

Desirous of raising banking service delivery to international standards in The Gambia, GBA decided to partner with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) to organise training courses leading to the award of Chartered Bankers qualifications.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Bankers of The Gambia, signed on 17 January 2011, gave authority to the Institute of Bankers of The Gambia to run the CIBN curriculum and serve as an External Examination Center.

The objectives of the GBA include promoting sound banking practice in The Gambia, and building public confidence in the banking systems.

It also encourages fair, proper and professional practice in banking transactions, as well as liaises with the government and its agencies where necessary in furthering the objectives of the association.

The association is also active in the protection and development of the professional interest of its members through quality and professional training.

In order to achieve this objective, the association has established an institute known as the Institute of Bankers of The Gambia.

The responsibilities of the Institute are to provide quality and professional training in banking and finance, determine the standard of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the banking profession, secure the establishment and maintenance of a register of members of the banking profession in the categories of Ordinary Members, Student Members, Graduate Members, Associate Members, Honorary Senior Members, Honorary Fellows, Fellows of the Institute and Corporate Members.

It conducts professional examinations supervised by the Central Bank of The Gambia, leading to the award of Chartered Status as prescribed by the institute, as well as ensures the furtherance and maintenance of ethical standards and professionalism among practitioners of the banking profession in The Gambia.

In a bid to achieve its objectives, the institute has made significant gains in the registration of members and enrolment of students.

The provision of quality education in banking and finance is the main priority of the institute, said the GBA, adding that the number of registered members to the institute rose from 3 in 2011 to over 240 in 2015.

“Students’ enrolment to the various programmes of the institute has grown from 3 in 2011 to 190 students in 2015,” it added.

“Seventy-five per cent of these students have completed the Diploma and ACIB Intermediate Professional levels and 4 students are currently enrolled in the Chartered level.”

It also stated that the Institute has consistently registered above 80 per cent pass rate in the external CIBN examinations from 2011 to date.

The Institute in collaboration with the Human Resource Managers of banks organises “continuous professional development (CPD) training for bankers” on a monthly basis throughout the year.