Lets prepare for IBP exams !

Things you should have before beginning !

Make sure you have got your self registered for the exams !

Get IBP books and reference books (as many as you can get)
To get the books, first checkout the syllabus here >>> http://www.ibp.org.pk/isqsyllabus1.aspx
Once you know which books you need, check the prices from here >>> http://www.ibp.org.pk/isq_books.aspx
For practice check out the past papers of IBP here >>> http://www.ibp.org.pk/previuos_exams.aspx

For a thorough study, first read the books and then solve the papers,
and for those who like selective study, first go through the past papers of IBP (Institue of Bankers Pakistan) and find their answers from the reference books.

If you have queries, you can discuss it on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ibp.ex with other IBP  (Institue of Bankers Pakistan) examinees.
There are various relevant books available in soft form on this blog. Get benefit from them.
You would also find solved papers and past papers of IBP on this blog.

Good Luck !

All these Giants ! Collared by IT guys !

All these big corporations are now heavily dependent on their IT
departments ! And offcourse their IT people have made them sure that
they are the best, but the management can only realize untill there is
a security breach by some hacker!

I am surprised that how vulnerable we are in the era of IT where there
are no checks by the regulators that how organizations are managing
their IT security and there are very few standards available in our
country!

We are now introducing branch-less banking through internet banking and mobile banking and all these avenues are no doubt very useful, but alongwith their huge business potential they bring in some risks which should be dealt pro-actively.

I hope SBP would have prepared some rules for that, but  we have to think about it before the hackers get them ! Whole organizations now depends upon these IT departments and especially in case of banks which are now going towards centralization through implementation of new Banking Softwares. This centralization increases the operational risk in case there is some security breach !

Just a point to ponder !

Banking Practices in Pakistan - Vernacular Form & Urdu Signatures

There are various practices and rules in banks which do have some reason behind, but still they seems so confusing. Today while a client was requesting to open his account in bank the account opening officer told him to use 'English' signatures as the one in Urdu are considered risky and requires a vernacular form. Similar thing happens when an illiterate person requests to open an account. The interesting thing is that Urdu is our National Language and about 70% of population uses and prefer Urdu language. When they try to do sign in their national language, banks ask them to do signatures in English ! And another more interesting thing is that if they do use their Urdu signatures they are not only discouraged but they have to sign an undertaking in shape of vernacular form which is in English and in most of the cases the person signing it doesn't know what's written on it. Although bank officials have to translate it for them and read all terms and conditions for them in their native language, but most of the times this doesn't happen because if they do so, the person would not dare to open account with conditions where bank is exempted from all the responsibilities; in case there is a misuse of signatures.In my view this practice should be reviewed in order to facilitate and protect the client! We should not discourage use of their native language as they would be more comfortable in that.

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Use Internet Explorer to Open Uploaded Files on Blog

I have uploaded various documents including solved papers. Some readers are facing difficulty in opening them, I have checked and it is recommended that open those links in internet explorer as they are working there fine !

Can I get a Job in the Bank After Passing JAIBP ?

A lot of readers ask me that : Would I get job in a bank after passing JAIBP (Junior Associate of Institute of Bankers Pakistan) ?

To be realistic, this is not necessary that you would get a job after passing this certification, but this doesn't mean that JAIBP is useless and have no benefit. It has its own worth. Its the only banking certification in Pakistan which is known and recognized by all the banks and financial institutions. It cannot assure you a job, but it would definitely assure you an interview call. People having this certification are more likely to be interviewed, rather than a simple graduate. Not only in bank, but also in the companies who are extensively dealing with banks. And it depends upon your interview performance that whether you would get the job or not !

With the increase in Financial Literacy among the business community, they would prefer to hire a person who knows the practices of Banking industry that would help their business in utilizing the bank services efficiently beside regular banking transactions.

So ! its YOU who can assure yourself a job !


Prepare well ! Invest your time in it ! Good Luck !

Eligibility Criteria for the JAIBP Program

After their affiliation with Chartered Banker Institute UK, IBP has revised the eligibility Criteria for JAIBP. They have given the following details on their website,


Quote:

The entry criterion for the JAIBP program has been revised for candidates enrolling from July 2011 onwards. JAIBP is open for the following:

1.Graduates in any discipline with a minimum 2nd Division

AND

2. Students who are pursuing their degree in a 4-year undergraduate program (post Intermediate/A levels or equivalent) are eligible to enroll for the ISQ program during their  3rd or 4th year of study. Students who are pursuing their degree in a 2-year undergraduate program (post Intermediate/A levels or equivalent) are eligible to enroll for the ISQ program during their final year of study.

Documentation required for students registering in the ISQ program will be attested mark sheet for Intermediate or A levels with a pass grade of 45% and a letter from their academic institution confirming their enrollment in the specified undergraduate program. The award of the completed JAIBP qualification would be subject to the candidate having a graduate degree.


Note: More details about the program can be found in the ISQ Handbook or on the IBP website: www.ibp.org.pk

Unquote

Comprehensive Exam for Associate Chartered Banker

IBP has offered this new Comprehensive exam after getting JAIBP accredited  from the Chartered Banker Institute UK. I passed my JAIBP in Winter 2009 and yesterday I got this email from Project Co-ordinator - Organization development who told me about this oppurtunity to get certified from this International Institute.

Well ! I have filled the form and applied for the comprehensive exam which would cost about PKR 7500/- as examination fee and later I have to submit some fee in GBP to get the title of Associate Chartered Banker. Last date for registration is March 31, 2012.

It seems catchy ! Like other professionals bankers would get some title to show off! Another side is that we are almost out of touch from books since three years and through this we have to do a thorough study of all the subject and all the topics ! Seems tough ! And they have also hinted somewhere in the instructions that prepare well as they would go deep in things. There would be a three hour Objective MCQs based test and then there would be a subjective test for another three hours. Locations are only the big cities i.e. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad/Rawalpindi.

Now, I would gradually dig out all the preparation material and would post my experiences to share with you guys ! If anyone out there wana share their experience, Most welcome ! and it would be more pleasing if you share some study & preparation material with us ! Solved Papers are real treat ! Real Hot Cakes ! So do share ! Do share if you have soft copies of books!