By Edward Ling
As we step into 2025, Malaysia’s banking industry stands at a pivotal moment poised for a future brimming with opportunity and transformation. Driven by technological advancements, sustainability imperatives, and evolving stakeholder expectations, the financial landscape presents both immense opportunity and complex challenges.
Navigating this evolution requires a workforce that is forward-thinking, adaptable, and equipped with the right expertise to lead the industry into an era defined by innovation, resilience and sustainable growth.
At the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB), we view this as an exciting opportunity to reimagine the future of banking. Our focus remains steadfast – to equip banking professionals with the latest skills, right mindset, and a strong ethical foundation, enabling them to contribute and lead Malaysia’s financial services sector toward a future that is not just sustainable but also driven by innovation.
Empowering Bankers and Honouring the Trust For Tomorrow
As Southeast Asia’s only professional banking institute accredited by the UK’s Chartered Banker Institute, AICB is proud to confer the prestigious Chartered Banker designation to our members. However, our mission extends beyond just offering qualifications.
We are committed to building a banking sector that is rooted in professionalism and ethical conduct; qualities that will become increasingly critical as the industry adapts to emerging challenges.
Over 36,000 banking professionals have benefited from AICB’s programmes, with more than 95% reporting career advancement and expressing high satisfaction with our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives.
This reflects not only the quality of our programmes and offerings, but also the growing demand for education that empowers professionals to thrive in an increasingly complex and fast-paced banking environment.
Embracing Digital Transformation
The pace of digital transformation will accelerate in 2025, fueled by Malaysia’s ambitious investments in AI, data infrastructure, and digital ecosystems as outlined in Budget 2025. Technologies such as Generative AI (GenAI), blockchain, and machine learning are redefining how banks operate, enabling greater efficiency, personalised services, and robust risk management.
GenAI alone has the potential to unlock RM531.89 billion in productive capacity for Malaysia’s economy, boosting banking productivity by 30% revenues by up to 6% within three years. Realising these gains, however, requires a digitally proficient workforce capable of leveraging such technologies responsibly and effectively.
To this end, AICB is leading the way in preparing the workforce for this evolution. In collaboration with our esteemed partner the Chartered Banker Institute UK, we have introduced the Certificate in Digital and AI Evolution in Banking (CertDEB), a programme designed to equip professionals with the expertise to navigate AI-driven systems, strengthen cybersecurity protocols, and comply with regulatory standards of technology adoption.
As these technologies reshape the sector, our goal is to ensure that Malaysia’s banking workforce is empowered and equipped to lead innovation responsibly and effectively.
Advancing Sustainability in Banking
Malaysia’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 positions the banking sector as a central driver of this transition. The global focus on sustainability intensifies as Budget 2025 emphasises decarbonisation, renewable energy investments, and green financing, highlighting the financial sector’s in driving sustainable practices and financing the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia’s Financial Sector Blueprint 2022–2026, AICB is championing ESG initiatives to help financial professionals address climate-related and environmental risks through programmes offered with our partners, such as the Certificate in Climate Risk (CICR) and the Certificate in Green and Sustainable Finance (CGSF), designed to help professionals embed sustainability into their decision-making.
In addition, AICB offers the Principles of Responsible Banking (PRB) Academy Courses developed by the Chartered Banker Institute, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
These programmes provide tailored ESG training for professionals at all career stages, empowering them to drive meaningful change while meeting global sustainability benchmarks.
By embedding sustainability within the core of banking practices, AICB is equipping professionals to support Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon economy while maintaining resilience and competitiveness.
Strengthening Skills Through Strategic Frameworks
As the financial services sector continues to expand, developing a high-calibre and resilient talent pipeline is crucial for the sector long-term success. AICB’s partnership with IBFIM and MII to launch the Future Skills Framework (FSF) this year is a prime example of how we are preparing the workforce for the challenges ahead.
The FSF offers skills maps, career pathways, and access to nearly 1,000 capacity-building programmes, ensuring that banking professionals remain at the forefront of innovation. The framework also addresses emerging technologies such as quantum computing and decentralised finance (DeFi), ensuring a workforce capable of meeting the challenges of tomorrow.
By identifying 159 critical job roles and 157 essential skills, ranging from digital fluency to critical thinking, the FSF provides a guide for financial professionals to equip themselves with the necessary skills to succeed in an evolving banking environment.
Additionally, AICB mandates 35 CPD hours annually for members to ensure that Malaysia’s banking workforce remains agile and prepared to meet future challenges. This commitment to continuous professional development fosters lifelong learning enabling professionals to keep pace with the industry’s demands.
Building the Talent Pipeline
The future of banking in Malaysia increasingly depends on cultivating a robust and skilled talent pipeline. AICB is addressing this need with new exciting initiatives and strategic collaborations set for 2025—including a university-level programme designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry demand.
This program will offer undergraduates advanced entry into professional certifications including the prestigious Chartered Banker qualification.
By providing students with early access to these recognised credentials, AICB ensures a seamless transition from academia into the professional banking sector.
This initiative is crucial in shaping the next generation of bankers, equipping them not only with theoretical knowledge, but also with the practical skills and industry-recognised qualifications required to excel in a competitive working environment.
A Vision for 2025 and Beyond
As the banking sector evolves with increasing complexity, the integration of innovation, sustainability, and professionalism will be paramount for its future. AICB is at the forefront of preparing the workforce to meet these challenges through its globally recognised qualifications and thought leadership initiatives.
As we look towards 2025 and beyond, collaboration will be the cornerstone of progress. By fostering partnerships across industries, academia, and government, we can ensure we continue to help build a strong banking talent pipeline for Malaysia and beyond.
The road ahead is one of shared opportunity, and AICB is ready to empower every step of this transformative journey.
Edward Ling is the chief executive, Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers
