Mixed reactions as diploma made mandatory for promotion of bankers
The Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday made the two-part diploma of the Institute of Bankers Bangladesh mandatory for the promotion of bankers holding positions of senior officer or above, except for managing director and the immediate juniors, in all scheduled banks.
In a circular, the Banking Regulation and Policy Department of the central bank said the new decision has been made with an aim to increase the efficiency, skills and capacity of the bankers.
Meanwhile, bankers expressed mixed reactions to the new circular, scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2024.
"The decision of the central bank is absurd. It can halt promotions of many," a senior principal officer of Rupali Bank, wishing to remain unnamed, told The Business Standard.
For example, an officer, who passed the first part of the diploma programme in 2017 but failed to complete the second part, is expected to get a promotion soon. He will get a sudden shock by the new rule, he explained.
"Imposing such a policy is really illogical," he reiterated.
"Those who get jobs in banks come through competition. It is irrational that the officials will mandatorily need new certificates suddenly after long service time, 20 years for example," added an assistant general manager of Sonali Bank.
The circular said officials will receive marks against the two parts of the Institute of Bankers Bangladesh diploma – Junior Associate and Diploma Associate – to get promoted. However, the rule will not be applicable for officers such as doctors, engineers and IT professionals who work in banks but are not directly involved in banking activities.
A Bangladesh Bank senior official said many people get promoted within a few years of joining and move to bigger posts because of having good relations with managing directors and chairmen.
"In many cases, the quality of their work is very poor. Even their knowledge about general banking matters is limited. I think the new move will help prevent the gap."
Another senior official of the central bank told TBS that such a directive is a kind of force. "The rule is okay if it applies to the freshers only."
Criticising the Institute of Bankers Bangladesh education system, he suggested that he courses it offers need further development.
