Chartered Banker helped graduate recognise need to be a corporate citizen
Newly-graduated Chartered Banker Irene Yu has told how the FINSIA course helped her recognise the industry’s need to become a corporate citizen.
The Director, Multicultural Banking – Client Acquisition at Westpac spoke to InFinance after gaining the internationally recognised professional Chartered Banker by Experience
“It's been a good opportunity to sit down and reflect on the journey I've had in banking over the last 10 years,” said Irene whose experience has seen her working around the world through the GFC and the Asian Financial Crisis.
“Often I don't get the chance to reflect that far out. Usually it's just one year resolutions to work through.
“I’ve seen different economic cycles, different banks with different appetites, and how we handle customer situations. How we navigated the economic environment over the last 10 years.
“The economy has progressed at such a fast pace, particularly in technology and the digital space we are in today.
“It’s also helped me see how connected we are globally. Banking and finance plays a key role to really help drive the heartbeat of the economy.
“We play an important role. Though a lot of the time we take it for granted and only focus on what we do day to day.
“If we step back and look at how far we come from, and how far the industry has evolved as well, I think it's remarkable.”
Irene, whose role as seen her move from corporate to consumer banking, says that the reflective statement - and the course as a whole - has helped her realise how much of an impact the industry has and raised questions too.
“We have to ask how do we give back? How can we be more socially responsible as the individual, professional in the industry?
“We've got to look beyond just the Industry as a banker, It's more, how can we be a better Corporate Citizen globally as well.”
That is why the qualified Chartered Accountant believes it’s so important to become a Chartered Banker.
“I haven't come across a Chartered Banker,” she said.
“But being in the accounting profession with a banking experience going through Chartered Banker has really helped to reaffirm my banking experience.
“To me it’s a qualification that creates more reputation and credibility in the market.”
Moving on to the length of time it took to do the course, Irene admitted she probably would not have done it if it wasn’t on the 12 week accelerated pathway.
“I suppose every one of us are time poor,” she said, adding “The fact that the course is a fast track forced me to be more disciplined.
“It's all about time management. An hour less wining and dining out. But on a serious note, my audit background help to develop strong discipline on execution and prioritisation, so I can plan things ahead and re-assess other things that are value driven.
“If it wasn’t 12 weeks, I don't think I would have done it, to be honest.”
As for tips for prospective candidates, Irene used the experience as a way to network and connect with colleagues.
"What I did was reconnect with colleagues in more specialised areas,” she explained.
“Risk is everybody's business. Definitely reconnect, re-engage with your Risk and Compliance colleagues for collaboration and find out how can we make sure run a sustainable business from the risk perspective.
“I reached out to one of my senior risk managers to brainstorm some of my thoughts and what some of the things that they already seen from the risk perspective.
“They do have a broader, helicopter view in terms of other emerging risks in different states and different Industries. So that can also give me more insight with a balanced approach on growth and risk as well as on diversity of thought. So I think the tip is pretty much get yourself connected with executives outside of your business segment.”
