The central bank’s directive on getting banking diploma for promotions to the senior levels in banks raised many eyebrows as the institution providing the degrees is reportedly plagued with irregularities and corruption.
The Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Wednesday made it mandatory for bank officials to obtain a banking diploma to be eligible for promotion to senior officer position and above.
According to the circular, bank officials must obtain Junior Associate of the Institute of Bankers, Bangladesh (JAIBB) and Diploma Associate of the Institute of Bankers, Bangladesh (DAIBB) certificates for promotion. Institute of Bankers, Bangladesh (IBB) is the sole provider of the certificates.
Officials of different commercial banks are angered by the BB directive as they have serious allegations of irregularities against IBB.
An official of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, requesting anonymity, told The News Times that many brilliant students can’t get IBB diploma as the answer sheets of exams are evaluated on the basis of what is written there, but on how much was paid for a certificate.
The corruption and irregularities in IBB led to decline in the number of students over the years and that they needed BB’s intervention to get students for the institute, he noted.
A senior officer of Sonali Bank said the bankers who didn’t have commerce or finance background may require a banking diploma. But the way IBB diplomas are provided doesn’t really help, he said, adding that many students don’t have to study for a diploma as they can write answer sheets in exams keeping their books open.
Some dishonest officials of IBB offer such opportunity to students in exchange of money, he noted.
A branch manager of Dutch Bangla Bank said most banks run on minimum manpower and bankers remain under a lot of pressure. This is very difficult for them to study for a diploma and that the BB decision is illogical, he noted.
A first assistant vice president of Social Islami Bank Ltd (SIBL) said diploma may be required for bankers, but the decision needs to be corrected. Those who pass the first phase of the diploma should be considered for promotion, he added.
The time of making the BB order effective, now set January 1, 2024, should also be extended, he observed.
When asked about the allegations, Laila Bilkis Ara, Secretary General of IBB, told The News Times that the allegations against the institute are not true. “No one writes in exams keeping books open. We received complaint of writing on mobile phone and it happens everywhere now.”
Mezbaul Hoque, Executive Director and Spokesperson of BB, told The News Times that BB has not issued circular to increase anyone’s income. The diploma has been made mandatory to enhance the skills and capabilities of bankers, he added.
