Hanoi, May 11, 2006 — Vietnam’s Bank Training Center, the country’s only dedicated institution for bank training, just launched its new Professional Credit Certification Program. This 23-day course which will be given over five months, is intended to expand the cadre of well-qualified staff who can accurately assess risks and opportunities, structure loans and manage the total loan portfolio so their banks continue to grow rapidly, but responsibly. This in turn will help provide Vietnam’s hardworking entrepreneurs with the financing they need in one of world’s fastest growing economies.
In his speech today, Switzerland’s Ambassador H.E. Benedict de Cerjat stressed the urgent need for training to help Vietnam’s commercial banks cope with rapid growth. “With WTO accession on the horizon, local banks not only have to get ready to comply with international standards but also have to become more competitive if they want to stay in the market. To cope with this challenge, well qualified and abundant human capital is crucial. The credit certification program which BTC has launched today is exactly what’s needed. BTC has an impressive track record and we are delighted to know that demand for this type of training is well above expectations.” The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) is a major supporter of BTC’s, having provided US$694,000 (VND 11 billion) last November to support three years of BTC training for Vietnam’s commercial banks.
Demand for BTC’s new professional certification program has been strong. Not only were 23 seats filled in this first course, but banks have asked BTC to offer six classes this year, rather than the two BTC originally planned.
Mr. Adam Sack, General Manager of the International Finance Corporation’s Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (IFC-MPDF), stated that BTC’s success with its new comprehensive program is not surprising. “In just five years, the Center has earned high ratings not only for quality and relevance of the training, but an independent evaluation shows that banks receiving BTC training perform better.”
IFC-MPDF, which helped set up BTC in 2001 with a consortium of 10 joint-stock banks, trained its trainers and collaborated in developing a full range of courses, signed an MOU today for its last phase of assistance to BTC.
“BTC is now recovering nearly all of its costs,” said Mr. Sack. “This is very impressive. In my experience, it is rare that a donor-supported institution reaches independence in such a short time….or at all. Although our assistance has helped BTC, it would not have succeeded thus far if BTC’s shareholding banks and its staff and associate trainers were not so strongly committed to excellence and meeting the needs of the industry.”
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) is Switzerland's competence centre for economic policy. seco’s support to developing and transition countries includes: improvement of growth and investment framework conditions; mobilizing the private sector's financial means, know-how and technologies; expansion of economic and social infrastructure; and promoting the integration of developing and transition countries into the world trade system. seco's support in developing and transition countries is provided in conjunction with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Vietnam is presently seco's only priority country for assistance in South-East Asia.
The Bank Training Center (BTC) is a locally incorporated company owned by 10 Vietnamese joint-stock banks and supported by the International Finance Corporation’s Mekong Private Sector Development Facility. Being a pioneer in the bank training market, BTC is currently the only specialized bank training provider of international standard in Vietnam. It offers practical, competency-based training which is based on international best practice adapted to the local environment. BTC's mission is to contribute to the development of the human resources capability in Vietnam’s banking sector, through continuous improvement of skills, performance and competitiveness of the banks in Vietnam.
