Much has changed since you were last here at ABS premises a little over a year ago for its official launching. We were then only on the 12th floor. As you can see, we have since expanded to another floor and can now accommodate more classes and participants. And that’s not all. Since then, ABS has been putting every effort towards fulfilling its mandate to enhance the professionalism, productivity and capability of banking talent by developing and delivering relevant, practical and innovative training programmes for bankers across all areas and at all levels.

The introduction of Executive Education programmes this year has also been a key part of its new business proposition. Through strategic learning partnerships with some of the top business schools in the world, ABS has been able to offer leading-edge courses to benefit senior level bankers. The Global Banking Leaders is one such programme.

The first of its kind to be developed specifically for the banking industry, this ground breaking flagship programme by the Asian Banking School was developed in partnership with one of the top ranked business schools in the world, the Cass Business School, City University of London. Today marks Day 1 of the first week of training in Kuala Lumpur for the participants and our illustrious group of faculty trainers who have flown in from Cass. They are all here with us this afternoon and I trust that it has been a fruitful first day of learning. I wish you all the best for this week and for the next when you are in London, where I have been told that Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of the Chartered Banker Institute will be one of the speakers for the programme.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Chartered Banker Institute in the UK jointly awards the Chartered Banker qualification in Malaysia with the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers. The gold standard in banking qualification, the Chartered Banker is the most prestigious and internationally recognised professional qualification in banking across the globe. The flagship qualification for AICB, it supports the core purpose of the Institute in professionalising bankers by helping to maintain the highest standards of excellence and professionalism.

The signing of today’s commitment to a joint declaration to professionalise the Malaysian banking industry is a great and monumental moment for us all. AICB in its role as the professional body for bankers in Malaysia further commits to ensure adherence to its Code of Professional Conduct and the commitment of its members to Continuous Professional Development in order to maintain the highest standards of professionalism in banking in Malaysia. My heartfelt gratitude to the Council and Management of the Association of Banks Malaysia, and their member banks, for their support in making this industry initiative a reality.

My thanks to Bank Negara Malaysia for their continued support of ABS and AICB, and all that we do, and of course, to Governor Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim for his strong support and presence today.

Thank you.