Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
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Association of Professional Bankers President Jeremy De Zilva
APB President Jeremy De Zilva shares key insights to the 33rd Anniversary Convention to be held under the theme ‘Resilient and Adaptable – Way Forward for Banking’ in this interview. Following are excerpts:
Q: We are aware that the 33rd Anniversary Convention of the Association of Professional Bankers will be held in a few weeks’ time. Could you kindly elaborate on the theme this time and what were the reasons to select it?
The APB as a professional body of a very important industry is always agile to the current market and economic conditions. The convention is the major flagship event in our annual calendar. This time too we have selected a theme that will deal with the current economic situations we are faced with. Today the Sri Lankan banking industry must acquire a complete understanding of the current economic, political and social issues. As the economy cannot revive within a short span of time, the banking industry should ensure that it remains resilient and be able to adapt itself to changing conditions both in its own interest and in the interest of the general economy of the country. In consideration of the aforesaid environment, we have come up with the theme ‘Resilient and Adaptable – Way Forward for Banking’.
Q: Can you elaborate more on what has been lined up for the event?
The event will be a one-day program with four technical sessions being held and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and deliver the keynote address; for each technical session there will be a guest speaker followed by a panel discussion on areas of:
a) Resilience in the VUCA World – this session will give an overview of the macroeconomic and geo-political environment, its impact on Sri Lanka at present and in the future, as a country what resilient aspects would be needed for adopting a more forward approach, learnings that could be taken from other countries which had/or have similar challenges, how the local banking sector should face the current challenges.
b) Collaborating tech to adapt – discussion will be centred on the future tech innovations that could be critical to the financial service industry, how adaptive tech could support recovering the meeting the initial cost of investment, what role could technology play in the current economic context of the country, etc.
c) Adaptable skills and resilient leadership - The New Age Talent Formula – How a resilient workforce could be created in terms of talent management, retention, developing skills required for the future of the banking industry, the implications of the brain drain in the industry, and a need for new labour reforms? etc., would be discussed.
d) Steering through difficult times - View from the Top (Bank Chairman’s forum) – this session will be a vibrant one as the Chairman of two state banks and three private sector banks would take part in the panel discussion to share their thoughts and expertise gained in holding the hot seat.
e) Another very important item in the agenda of the event is recognition of a banking professional for his outstanding contribution to the banking fraternity. The awardee is evaluated by a panel of experts and would be specially recognised at the event. Further, the president’s award is made to recognise individuals who make an outstanding contribution to the development of APB.
f) Apart from the above the APB felicitates its members who reach high – to the level of CEO/Chairman.
Q: Apart from the Annual Convention, as a professional body, how does APB contribute for the improvement of the banking professionals?
In keeping with our Vision statement ‘The power of professionalism in Banking in Sri Lanka’, under my presidency, we have started a career development program to groom and develop young bankers who have completed the banking exams. This program was initiated jointly with the Institute of Bankers Sri Lanka to share our valuable experiences on diversified areas in a practical sense so that these young qualified individuals could learn the practical sides from senior bankers who have come forward voluntarily to share their expertise in different areas of banking.
We also conduct evening lecture programs monthly on topics/subject matters that are relevant to our members, bankers and to the public in general. These programs are open to any individual who has interest in developing their skills.
The Annual interbank quiz program is another event that we conduct among bankers to improve the knowledge and skills on operational aspects/regulations/laws/general knowledge etc., and to foster relationships among fellow bankers.
Q: How does one obtain membership in APB?
The membership could be obtained under the categories of Juvenile, Ordinary and Life. One needs to have completed banking exams and or any designated professional qualification defined by the council. Details could be referred to from our website www.apbsrilanka.com or by contacting our secretariat on 0112055318.
Q: Does the APB as a professional body that represents the banking industry play a role in decision making or addressing issues relevant to banking with the regulator?
The primary objects of the association states:
a) Undertake, promote and facilitate studies in the field of banking and allied subjects within and outside Sri Lanka.
b) Organise and promote research in this field and to undertake studies and research projects for the government, private sector, international agencies and other institutions.
c) Plan and organise teaching and arrange training programs, lectures, seminars, workshops in the field of banking and allied subjects.
So, we are more inclined to develop and promote the knowledge base of the bankers and promote professionalism in disposing the service to the public. As I stated above, we continuously carryout programs and events in achieving these objectives.
Q: As the President of the APB what are your plans for the future?
As we are planning to deliberate on resilience in the upcoming convention, future plans too are directed towards equipping the bankers with required knowledge and skills to enable them to navigate through this dynamic and highly volatile banking environment. Some of the activities we do achieving these objectives are:
