I have joined the Institute as Chief Executive Officer on 15.12.2014 after completing 35 years of service in commercial banking environment. I consider it to be a great honour and privilege to join this august Institute, an Institute which has established its pride of place in its 87 years of chequered history.

Achieving excellence is the primary motto of the Institute. In its quest to reach this goal, the Institute has embraced technology in a significant way in its core operations. Maintaining highest academic standard is another hallmark of the Institute. The Institute has also spread its wings beyond the national boundaries – it has extended its helping hands to international institutions to offer state of the art examinations, training and continuing professional development programmes to bankers. The team IIBF is committed to maintain its premier position in the areas of banking education, examinations, research, consultancy and training.

The following recently launched examinations would be of great use to bankers working in those areas:

• Certified Banking Compliance Professional
• Certified Credit Officer
• Certified Bank Trainer
• Certified Treasury Professionals
• Certificate in Risk in Financial Services-jointly with CISI, London.

Apart from these the certificate courses covering AML/KYC, Prevention of Cyber Crimes ,IT security, Trade Finance, SME Financing etc will be highly relevant to branch functionaries. Members of the Institute are, therefore, encouraged to take up the various examinations, courses and trainings offered by the Institute, which will help them to improve their professional competence and facilitate continuing professional development in the years ahead.

Knowledge is strength in a service oriented industry. More we cultivate and acquire, more empowered we become in our own domain. Let’s all work together in this direction and establish ourselves in the position of strengths. I invite your suggestions for improvement in the examinations and other activities of the Institute such that the banking sector will be enriched by its activities in the years ahead.

Wishing you and family a very happy and prosperous New Year.