Future-Ready Chartered Bankers Lead in an Era of Transformation

26 May 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) recently held its 8th Chartered Banker Conferment Ceremony, celebrating the dedication of banking professionals who uphold the highest standards of professional excellence and lifelong learning in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Held under the theme “Charting the Growth of Finance”, the ceremony highlighted the critical importance of developing future-ready and ethically grounded professionals in banking and finance—particularly in response to growing challenges such as cybersecurity threats, data privacy concerns, sustainable finance demands, and the accelerating pace of digital transformation and fintech innovation.

Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Dato' Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, who delivered the special address at the ceremony, said, “Malaysia has invested significantly in developing talent in our financial sector. Over the years, we have developed a comprehensive ecosystem of talent affiliates providing training, certification, and future-looking guidance on the skills needed by the financial sector."

"I also wish to highlight the important role played by financial institutions to further complement these efforts through their respective learning and development academies."

"While the financial services industry benefits from a good talent development ecosystem, more collective actions are needed to future-proof the workforce.”

A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) President Paul Denton to AICB Chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim.

This global recognition, the first awarded by CBI in over a decade celebrates Tan Sri Azman’s decades-long leadership in promoting ethical banking and professional excellence across the region.

AICB Chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim said, “I am deeply honoured by this recognition. This award is a reflection of the collective progress we have made as an industry in championing ethical professionalism in banking."

"Banking transcends numbers, it is about trust, stewardship and purpose. I hope this inspires more professionals to embrace continuous learning and lead with integrity in shaping the future of finance.”

The ceremony also honoured the contributions of Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) with the AICB Honorary Fellowship, one of the Institute’s highest distinctions. This prestigious award recognises Governor Remolona's transformative contributions towards fostering greater ASEAN banking integration, effective policymaking, and championing talent development within the financial sector.

As banking continues to evolve rapidly, AICB reaffirmed its commitment to professionalising and upskilling the workforce through its professional education offerings.

Its flagship Chartered Banker qualification, developed in collaboration with the UK’s Chartered Banker Institute, sets the gold standard for banking professionalism.

AICB also provides specialised certifications in areas such as digital transformation, financial crime prevention, sustainable finance and more.

AICB Chief Executive Edward Ling said, “Professionalism and upskilling in banking is no longer optional, it is essential. At AICB, we are committed to expanding our growing community of over 800 Chartered Bankers in the next two years, empowering the industry with future-ready capabilities."

" Through our robust education programmes, the Future Skills Framework and thought leadership initiatives in key areas such as digital innovation and sustainable finance, we aim to equip our members with the critical skills and professional foundation needed to navigate and innovate the future of banking and finance.”

The ceremony conferred the prestigious Fellow Chartered Banker (FCB) status on 14 distinguished industry leaders, including AICB Council Member Dato’ Mohd Rashid Mohamad, Group Managing Director / Group Chief Executive Officer of RHB Bank Berhad.

Additionally, 71 AICB members were conferred the Chartered Banker (CB) status, while over 500 members attained the Associate Chartered Banker status.

The ceremony also celebrated recipients of the Excellence and Corporate Awards. Attended by over 480 guests comprising members of the AICB Council and C-suite executives, the 8th Chartered Banker Conferment ceremony reaffirmed AICB's role in building a resilient, ethical, and future-ready professional banking workforce for Malaysia and the region.