IBSL results released within 28 days

The results of the March examinations, Certificate in Banking and Finance (CBF), Advanced Certificate in Banking and Finance (ACBF) and Diploma in Banking and Finance (DBF) were released within 28 days of conducting the examinations on May 4 for the first time in the history of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL).

According to Acting Director General IBSL Ms Ranjanie Goonetilleke this was possible as they had all the resources while all concerned worked hard as a team to achieve the target and most of all the Chairman IBSL W. A. Wijewardena who is also the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank gave us strength and courage at all times.

IBSL changed the examination structure from three-tier to two-tier commencing March this year and the three-tier structure will cease from September this year and until such time students who were mid stream and were sitting the three-tier examination structure can sit the examination.

She said that in the new structure they have given more opportunities for students to select subjects according to their liking and to suit the trends of the modern and changing world.

Ms Goonetilleke said that 8,670 candidates sat the examinations and there were 40 papers under both structures.

According to statistics 21,845 subject candidates sat the examinations which were held in March.

She said that by releasing the results early the students have ample opportunity to prepare for a paper they want to sit if they failed.

We also conduct lectures at the College of Banking and Finance at Colombo 10 while there are accredited centres also that conducts lectures for the examinations in major cities of the country.

The examinations are held in all three languages. The examinations are held twice a year in March and September and IBSL also held examinations in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Trincomalee where the papers were airlifted.

Once a student obtains the Diploma in Banking and Finance he or she can continue to do an MBA at the Post Graduate Institute of Management (PIM) Sri Lanka, Northumbria University UK or at the ICFAI (India) provided the requirements are fulfilled.

The salient feature of our examination structure is that we not only test the knowledge of the students but also the skills of application of the knowledge gained by the students.

As the marking criteria is strict students should obtain 51 marks to get an ordinary pass in any subject they sit.

Director Examinations IBSL C.J. Fernando said that most banks insist that Banking Assistants pass the CBF to obtain promotions while getting through the DBF also is duly recognised by most state and private banks.

He said, "Our qualifications have opened many doors to bankers and financial industry personnel secured jobs in the Middle East as well as in the western world."

Speaking of future plans Ms Goonetilleke said that they are planning to offer a Diploma in Micro Finance together with GTZ and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany from August this year.

This course is open to anyone specially those engaged in the Micro finance sector.

IBSL offers the CBF,ACBF and DBF qualifications in collaboration with its School of Finance, UK formerly known as the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) London.

The College of Banking and Finance at Colombo 10 in addition to conducting classes for CBF and DBF also offers a host of other Diplomas, seminars and workshops during the year.