National Bank of Fujairah launches bank-wide credit risk management training programme
Bank’s first specialised training initiative of this scale aims to enhance staff skill sets and service quality in support of customer aspirations
Reinforcing its commitment towards staff development as part of its strategic growth plans, National Bank of Fujairah PSC (NBF) has announced the launch of an advanced employee training programme in conjunction with Fitch Learning aimed at building a unified understanding of credit risk and enhancing the quality of credit management skills across the bank.
Fitch Learning, a leading provider of training solutions and part of the Fitch Group, which includes Fitch Ratings, has been tasked to implement the 18-to-24-month-long "corporate credit standards" programme for over a third of NBF's total work force - or 180 employees.
NBF staff from business, credit and risk departments will be introduced to the finer points of topics ranging from corporate credit analysis, risk forecasting to credit restructuring. Pre-course assessments, interactive classroom sessions and certification exams are also built into the programme to personalise and maximise the learning experience and ensure that participants' newfound skills adhere to industry best practices.
NBF CEO Vince Cook said: "This is the first time that NBF has invested in a specialised training exercise of such scale and it underscores our overall efforts towards ensuring that the professionalism of our staff and quality of internal processes meet world-class standards and contribute towards the bank's overall profitability and customer focus."
Abdulla Aleter, NBF's Head of HR, said that the training programme will dovetail into the bank's recruitment and retention efforts; it currently has in place management trainee and career advancement programmes that identify potential and existing Emirati staff for senior roles and has recently announced plans to sponsor promising students from HCT Fujairah for careers with NBF.
"Supporting the long-term professional development of staff has always been a priority for NBF because it motivates our talent and prepares them to better serve customers. More importantly, the programme will send a strong signal about our commitment towards grooming leaders who would play a crucial role in the development of the local banking community."
Andreas Karaiskos, Fitch Learning's Managing Director for Middle East and Africa said: "We are pleased to find in NBF a well-regarded local institution committed not only to the development of business best practices within its ranks, but in the enhancement of the overall professionalism and service standards within the local banking sector. Fitch Learning's comprehensive and sophisticated training capabilities will no doubt help NBF achieve its objectives of embedding a unified credit risk management culture within the bank and raise its profile as a world-class financial services provider within the UAE."
About National Bank of Fujairah PSC:
Incorporated in 1982, National Bank of Fujairah PSC (NBF) is a full services corporate bank with strong corporate and commercial banking, treasury and trade finance expertise as well as an expanding suite of personal banking options. Leveraging its deep banking experience and market insight within Fujairah and the UAE, NBF is well-positioned to build lasting relationships with its clients and help them achieve their business goals.
NBF's key shareholders include the Government of Fujairah, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Company LLC and Investment Corporation of Dubai. It is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the symbol "NBF" and has a branch network of 14 across the UAE.