The
International Academy of Retail Banking will today announce
that its Certified International Retail Banker (CIRB) qualification has been
accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute, the oldest banking institute in
the world. This professional qualification also provides a pathway to the
Institute’s flagship Chartered Banker programme. Retail bankers worldwide
now have their own professional qualification - and it is supported by a unique
suite of coursework and e-learning materials that contain a comprehensive body
of knowledge developed by leading industry practitioners.
The
CIRB qualification will be awarded to retail bankers who pass the three
professional examinations of the International
Academy of Retail
Banking. The Academy, which was founded in London in 2011, aims to develop retail
banking as a profession similar to accountancy. Apart from passing
professional examinations, its membership rules require CIRBs to follow a
demanding code of ethics, and to undertake continuing professional education in
order to maintain their membership status.
“We
have developed the Academy curriculum in response to the needs of retail banks
around the world. It sets a challenging standard and we are very proud that the
programme has now been accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute”
commented Dick Harryvan, co-chairman of the Academy and a former CEO of ING
Direct, the Amsterdam-based international retail bank.
Simon
Thompson, Chief Executive of the Chartered Banker Institute, added “since
the global financial crisis there has been much focus on rebuilding banks’
financial capital but it is equally important that the banks’ human
capital is rebuilt. Banking is a profession and the range and take up of
professional qualifications needs to be increased. The Academy’s
Certified International Retail Banker qualification has an important
contribution to make and we are pleased to accredit the programme.”
To date over 3000 retail bankers from more
than 60 countries have embarked on the Academy’s programmes.
Already, more than 40 banks have supported the mission of making retail banking
a recognised profession. These include Ecobank, ING Bank, Maybank,
Nedbank, Standard Chartered
Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.
The Academy founders are Michael Lafferty, chairman of
Lafferty Group, a financial industry research and publishing firm, Dr. Abdul H.
Rahman, Academic Director, Evelyn Hunter-Jordan, Executive Director, and Dick
Harryvan.
