The explosion of banking sector leading to creation of lakhs of jobs should be grabbed by the youngsters as a career in banking not only gives social status but also professional satisfaction of serving the society, said Mahpara Ali, Chief General Management and Head of Strategic Training Unit of State Bank of India.
Ms. Mahpara Ali, who is one of the first woman officers to join SBI in the early 70s, said the banking sector is vibrant today and it has a great future with services bound to expand in different forms touching almost everyone in every sector. She expressed these views at a seminar on “Boom in Banking Sector” organised by The Hindu Education Plus in association with National School of Banking (NSB).
She explained the youngsters the benefits of being a bank officer and the opportunities available in different areas of banking. While traditionally credit and foreign exchange were the key areas, she said new openings are now in the retail sector. People with specific skills in IT, Law, Agriculture, and Marketing can make careers in banking too. She said stability was one big factor that was driving people from other professions to banks. Bankers now get foreign postings like other sectors and banks also fund higher education of employees.
Promotions and scales were based on internal examinations and one can reach the executive cadre at a very young age, she said and pointed out that SBI was recruiting Probationary Officers (PO) in huge numbers. Those recruited at clerical level too have the opportunity of becoming an officer within two years through internal examinations. She said women have excellent opportunities in banking.National School of Banking director C.S. Vepa explained the need to prepare properly to grab the jobs and how the recruitment examinations test the application of knowledge than knowledge itself. Those who acquire the requisite skills can easily qualify, he said. He guaranteed employment to an aspirant in the banking sector if he spends at least three to four hours in a day for preparation. Time was a big factor and candidates fast off the blocks usually get through as quick decisions are expected to be taken in the banking jobs, he said.
They also clarified various doubts raised by the participants about recruitment, interview and other aspects related to recruitment. They said reading newspapers and preparing notes on important issues will help the aspirants. Ms. Ali said that interview panel boards consider various aspects and candidates are expected to answer at least 70 per cent of questions. Focus is on testing the skills than the knowledge. She said physically-challenged candidates have some distinctive advantages during recruitment as well as service.
Mr. Vepa said that all nationalised banks except the State Bank group have decided to conduct a common entrance test but the guidelines are yet to be published.
