Kuwait-based Gulf Bank said it is spearheading the banking professional excellence through collaboration with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (Cisi).

The move comes following its agreement with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) back in January 2015.

A MoU between the two organizations envisions a promotion of a qualifications framework to the Kuwaiti market where CISI qualifications is mandated to specific job functions within CMA licensed entities.

Gulf Bank pointed out that it is following suit by integrating excellence into its banking services through a series of trainings provided by the Cisi.

So far, 48 employees from both the wealth division and priority division already undertook the International Certificate in Wealth and Investment Management training (ICWIM) and the International Introduction to Securities and Investments training (IISI).

The ICWI covered the essentials of financial planning, private client asset management, fund management, advisory functions and investment analysis from a global perspective.

As for the ISSI, it offered a broad introduction to the financial services industry, with a specific focus on investments from a global perspective. It is the foundation exam for many higher-level CISI qualifications.

Tareq Al Saleh, the assistant general manager (investments) at Gulf Bank, Meshari Shehab, the assistant general manager (priority banking) and Esra Alhabib, the manager (external relations) met last week with Simon Culhane-Cisi chief executive, and Matt Cowan-CISI Regional Director, to further discuss the collaboration and to set future plans.

Al Saleh said: "In line with the CMA efforts, Gulf Bank emphasizes on promoting and enabling its staff with the right competencies for efficient banking services results."

"By collaborating with the CISI, we are not only keeping up with the international best practices, but also integrating them into our daily performance," he stated.

CISI is a not for profit organization whose mission is to set standards of professional excellence and integrity for the securities and investment industry, providing qualifications and promoting the highest level of competence to its members, individuals and firms.-TradeArabia News Service