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THE Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe will honour more than 50 successful bankers at its annual graduation and awards dinner in Harare today.
The Bankers set to be honoured today have successfully undergone training over the last few years and will be awarded the Diploma in Banking.
Holders of the Diploma in Banking are eligible for election as Associates of the Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe and can use the designation AIBZ (Associate of the Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe), after their names for professional recognition purposes after election.
Three senior bankers will also be accorded honours as fellows of the Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe, entitling them to use the designation FIBZ after their names together with their other professional qualifications.
In terms of the constitution of the institute, fellowship is usually granted to career bankers who have offered distinguished service to the institute or made a significant contribution to the profession of banking in Zimbabwe.
This year, IOBZ marks 67 years in existence, having evolved from being a branch of the Institute of Bankers of South Africa, which opened in Harare (Then Salisbury) in 1947. In 1973, The Institute of Bankers of Rhodesia was established, with branches in Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare, thus laying the foundation of the modern day Institute.
To qualify as full Diploma holders, the bankers have to sit for and pass a three level examination that starts with a Certificate in Banking, the Intermediate Diploma in Banking and finally the Diploma in Banking.
The local institute has been providing well rounded bankers for the banking industry in Zimbabwe and beyond. The first localized examinations were held 29 years ago, in 1985 and to date, just under 22,000 members of the banking fraternity have gone through the Institute.
Over 1,800 have been conferred with Associateship of the institute after successfully completing the Associate Diploma examinations. The institute is a big contributor to the manpower needs of the banking industry in Zimbabwe. The Institute of Bankers of Zimbabwe is a professional corporate body funded by members with a mandate to provide for continuous education and professional banking industry personnel in the country.
The institute also conducts an annual Winter Banking School, where professionals from banking gather together with professionals from other industries and academia to explore solutions to current and emerging problems in the banking industry and the broader economy.
The Institute of Bankers in Zimbabwe is a member of the Alliance of African Institutes of Bankers. Graduates of the Institute are well respected professionals both within and outside the country’s borders.
Online Reporter