Highlights of 2024
Programme Recap of 2024
Day 1 - 11 November 2024
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB) successfully co-organised The Future Banking Bridging Programme 2024 (FBBP 2024) over a two and a half days event held in November – December 2024. This event marked the fourth year of the FBBP and as with previous years, FBBP 2024 received enthusiastic participation, with over 300 applications to attend from students representing 12 local universities. Similarly, it was an honour to receive tremendous support from 13 banks, which nominated representatives to join in the various event items, including the training presentations, panel discussion, mentorship for the student group project, networking session with students and during the job shadowing experience. These bank representatives provided invaluable insights and guidance throughout the event, expertly taking on the role of the “bridge” between the student participants and the banking industry, enabling the student participants to capture a snapshot of a future banking career!
“Mini” B.E.S.T. Training & Group Presentation Preparation
The student participants had the remarkable opportunity to listen to presentations by senior bankers on four important topics in the banking industry, making up a “mini” B.E.S.T. training, including Greater Bay Area banking (abbreviated as B), ESG (E), Soft skills (S) and Technology (T). Specifically:
B: Mr Anthony LIN, CEO of Greater Bay Area, Standard Chartered Bank
E: Dr Shelley ZHOU, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Hang Seng Bank
S: Mr Ellis YUEN, Head of Learning & Talent Development Hong Kong and Wealth and Personal Banking, Asia Pacific, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
T: Ms Charlotte WONG, Chief Information Officer Hong Kong, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Skills in these four topics are critical towards a future banking career so listening to the sharing by the four subject matter experts afforded the student participants with important perspectives. Once again, we thank the speakers and their respective banks for taking time to present their sharing.
Thereafter, the student participants were given the chance to directly apply the learning content as they were divided into smaller teams, each tasked with preparing a 15-minute presentation on one of the four B.E.S.T. topics, to be delivered to their student peers in Day 2. To support the students, nearly 30 bankers from 12 banks were assigned to the different groups to offer mentorship in the presentation preparation. Mentors were proactively assigned by the topic to which they may have prior experience or expertise, allowing for better facilitation to integrate the concepts taught in the lecture presentations to the actual experience of the mentors, supporting the student participants in their consideration of the presentation topic from different angles or real-world scenarios. Throughout the session, mentors and students alike were engaged in active and productive discussion. Students were also able to network with peers from different universities or across faculties!
Day 2 - 25 November 2024
The FBBP 2024 event was first commenced with a panel discussion, in which five seasoned bankers shared insights, guidance and even personal stories on each of their banking career journeys, responding to questions relating to why they chose to enter the banking industry or what skill sets they consider critical in the future of banking, among others. The panelists included:
- Mr Melveen ALAM, Global Insights & Transformation Lead, Standard Chartered Bank
- Ms Teresa HO, Head of Investment Journey & Digital Wealth, Hang Seng Bank
- Ms Kim LAY, Head of Digital Banking, Hang Seng Bank
- Mr Timothy LO, Head of SC Ventures, Standard Chartered Bank
- Mr Roy SI, Head of Sales & Trading, China Everbright Bank
Subsequently, each of the student groups delivered their presentations, providing thoughtful analysis, ideas and even recommendations via presentations which were diligently prepared, educational, creative even fun and witty. At the conclusion, after nail-biting suspense, two “best-performing groups” were selected by peer voting, with these two groups earning an invitation to join in Day 3 of FBBP 2024, consisting of a job shadowing and bank tour experience at a local banking institution.
In the afternoon of Day 2, part of what was an action-packed agenda, the FBBP 2024 event presented the student participants with a newly-added Networking Corner session, organised like a “career expo” floor plan layout, in which students were given the opportunity to visit 13 “booths” to directly chat with bank HR and Learning & Development representatives. In total, almost 60 banking HR professionals took time out of their busy schedules to join in the session. On this platform, students were able to explore and get answers to questions relating to a banking career which they may have always wanted to ask, such as what bankers do, how to be a successful banker, why they became bankers etc. Some students may even have had the chance to pave a way towards a banking internship!
The Winning Teams – Best Performing Team Award
Group 2
Group 5
Additional photos can be viewed by clicking here.
Day 3 - 13 December 2024
On Day 3, the two “Best Performing Teams” as well as some outperforming participants, were granted the extraordinary opportunity to spend a half-day at Hang Seng Bank. On the day, the students went on an office tour to six different banking departments, such as Credit Risk Management, Wealth Investment Management and even the branch banking hall to get a glimpse of the daily banking operations! Students also participated in group discussions and career experience sharing, led by Hang Seng Bank current and past management trainees.
As a bridging programme, the event organised a range of learning approaches for the students, from lecture presentations on topical subjects to networking dialogue with banking practitioners, from an on-site visit to a banking hall to teamwork on preparing for the group project. Overall, the FBBP 2024 event gave each participant an incredible immersion into a possible future banking career journey!
Stay tuned for The Future Banking Bridging Programme 2025!
Why this Programme?
It’s free of charge. Take advantage of our Programme, jointly provided by The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers.
You will be taught by industry practitioners sharing their practical knowledge and skill sets, especially in areas highly sought after by the banking industry.
This is a new pathway to gain a quick yet in-depth look into the world of banking.
Industry insiders will give a rundown of the hottest topics in banking. Engage in interactive dialogue with bankers and possibly get a chance to visit a bank to experience a day in the life of a banker.
First-hand tips will be shared, ranging from the job search to the interview, to help you land a banking position successfully.
Limited places are available.
What is it all about?
Intensive and interactive banking courses in various forms, including classroom training, case studies, group discussions and presentations.
The B.E.S.T. banking programme on GBA banking, ESG, Soft skills and Technology.
Introduction to fundamental knowledge about financial markets, the banking system in Hong Kong, as well as banking services and operations. In-depth insights into the latest developments in the fastest growing areas of banking, including the newest technology, green finance and cross-border banking.
Interactive dialogue with bankers, who will share their banking experiences, tips on entering the industry, as well as career opportunities and prospects.
Real-life exposure to the daily operations of a bank through job shadowing. This opportunity will be open to the team that delivers the best performance in the Programme.
What will you get?
A certificate upon completion of the Programme.
Deepened understanding of the ins and outs of the banking industry and its prospects.
Practical knowledge and the latest developments in the hottest areas of banking.
Direct dialogue with bankers on banking experiences as well as career opportunities and prospects.
Valuable interactions and networking opportunities with industry practitioners and peers.
A unique chance to experience a day in the life of a banker.
