The game changing decision by NAB to enrol all 34,000 staff on FINSIA professional qualifications has been receiving positive coverage in mainstream media.
Both the Australian Financial Review and The Australian carried positive commentaries on the agreement to roll out our education programs over the next three years.
“NAB's move should be the catalyst for the other three major banks – ANZ Banking Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac Banking Corp – to get on board and set an industry-wide educational standard,” is how the AFR’ Chanticleer columnist saw the move.
“This would not be too difficult given the big four banks are all engaged in some way or other with the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), which will provide the educational courses to NAB staff.”
In a business section commentary, the Australian said: “The aim of NAB’s partnership with FINSIA is to deliver a financial services qualification to help lift the quality and consistency of dealings with customers.”
See the Australian Financial Review's coverage of the announcement here
FINSIA chief executive Chris Whitehead F FIN said: “It’s obviously pleasing to be getting positive media coverage, which is part of our continuing drive to raise the bar of professionalism in financial services.
“We also had great coverage when The Regulators chose FINSIA to reveal how they were updating their priorities in light of COVID-19.
“So it’s clearly a step-in the right direction for us. We’ve already had great feedback. But we won’t rest on our laurels.
“The need for customers to have the utmost trust and confidence in their bank and its employees has never been greater.
“This necessity for customer trust further cements the need for FINISA’s role of professionalism advocacy and as a connector across the industry, government, industry bodies, and the regulators.”
FINSIA President Victoria Weekes SF FIN said: “NAB’s commitment is a significant milestone for the industry in adopting industry wide professional qualifications.
“It’s an important stepping stone for FINSIA in bringing the industry together to adopt industry wide recognised professional standards for all financial services. The FINSIA Board and our members are committed to that journey.”
NAB chief executive Ross McEwan said: “We support the critical work which FINSIA does for our industry, as the leading professional body for financial services across Australia and New Zealand. Raising the bar of professionalism in our industry is a shared goal that will be best achieved together,”
Full details of media releases from both FINSIA and NAB can be viewed here.
