KUALA LUMPUR (May 23): To ensure bankers stay ahead of the curve of rapid technological advancements and growing adoption of generative artificial intelligence or GenAI, the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) will launch the Future Skills Framework (FSF) in July this year. 

The framework, which AICB described as a "pivotal resource in promoting skills mastery and ongoing learning", was conceived as a key component of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Financial Sector Blueprint 2022-2026.

It signifies a concerted initiative to foster a more future-ready workforce, raise the bar on professional excellence and advance the growth and excellence of the financial industry in Malaysia, according to AICB in a statement. 

“The opportunities afforded to local and regional financial institutions by advancing AI maturity and promoting green banking are immense, yet harnessing their full potential requires placing talents at the core of every organisational strategy,” the institute said.

“Cognisant of the urgent need to equip bankers in Malaysia with future-proof knowledge and skills, AICB has consistently emphasised the importance of lifelong learning in the banking workforce through the pursuit of its professional banking education programmes, especially its flagship qualification, the chartered banker,” it added. 

AICB recently held its 7th Chartered Banker Conferment ceremony, where over 100 individuals were conferred the fellow chartered banker and chartered banker statuses. 

“The ceremony also recognised over 230 members who have attained the associate chartered banker status,” it added. 

According to AICB, the guild of chartered bankers in Malaysia has over 800 members. The chartered banker status is jointly awarded by AICB and the Chartered Banker Institute, the UK.