Charter or Risk Losing out on Branch Manager Position – CIB to Bankers

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB), Ghana, has issued a strong call to banking professionals, announcing that only chartered bankers will be eligible to serve as branch managers or occupy other senior-level roles within the next five years. The directive forms part of a broader industry-wide reform aimed at strengthening ethics, professionalism, and sustainable banking practices.

Speaking at the 29th National Banking and Ethics Conference in Accra, the CEO of the Institute, Mr. Robert Dzato, said the new requirement is in line with efforts to build a more trustworthy and resilient financial sector. He explained that as Ghana’s banking landscape continues to evolve, it is important that leadership within institutions reflects the highest standards of competence and integrity.

“Over the next five years, you must be a chartered banker to be a branch manager, and that will then be scaled to all other job families going into the future. He stressed that the initiative sends a clear message that banking leadership must be grounded in professionalism and ethical conduct,” Mr. Dzato announced.

He further referenced the Bank of Ghana’s latest fraud report, which highlights persistent vulnerabilities across the sector. These concerns, he noted, underscore the urgency of placing ethics and sustainability at the center of banking operations. “If you look at the Bank of Ghana’s fraud report, we really need to ensure that we put ethics and sustainability at the heart and center of our industry,” he added.

To support this transition, the CIB has introduced two new certification programs: Ethics 2.0 and the Non-Interest Banking and Finance certification. The Ethics 2.0 program, in particular, has been made compulsory for everyone working within the banking industry, regardless of rank or function.

Mr. Benjamin Amenumey, President of the Institute, emphasised that the program’s structure is designed to reshape the ethical culture of the sector. “The Ethics 2.0 program is compulsory for all those working in the banking sector, irrespective of the level, whether at the junior level, manager level, Executive Committee level, or even board level,” he explained.

According to the CIB, these reforms are part of a long-term strategy to professionalise banking practices, reduce misconduct, and enhance public confidence in the financial services sector. The Institute believes that embedding ethical leadership and high professional standards will help safeguard the gains made in the sector following recent reforms and financial sector clean-up efforts.

This year’s National Banking and Ethics Conference was held on the theme: Building Future-Ready Banks: Ethical Leadership, Sustainable Finance and Currency Stability Amid Disruption. The event brought together regulators, industry leaders, and stakeholders to examine the challenges and opportunities confronting the banking ecosystem in an era of rapid technological change and rising customer expectations.