It is indeed an honor and privilege to now lead this prestigious institution as the new President of the Fiji Institute of Bankers. I must acknowledge the efforts of the outgoing President, Mr. Norman Wilson and the Committee of Management. They have done quite well with the last Convention and the Special Awards Night. We must keep the momentum!

The banking environment is very challenging today and bankers must keep abreast with the global changes such as the global financial crisis, sovereign debt, economic downturns, consumer protection law, competition and regulation, the advanced technological platforms and so forth. We will have to continue to identify and make use of our individual and collective strengths, competencies and the financial forces of our members for the common goal and mutual objectives of the institute.

We should take our queue from the work plan of the previous Convention with some of the essential and key outcomes which are yet to be accomplished. Allow me to categorically mention them (1) Training and Development, (2) Contribution towards Fiji's Financial and Economic Development Strategies, (3) Improvement in Compliance and Regulations, (4) Governance and (5) Financial Sector Integration.

First and foremost, we should have the commitment from each of the member institutions to drive membership. We need more training and development programs in the Western and Northern divisions with own working committees. There have been some discussion in the past to involve our local universities for professional development programs and we will also look at some integration with the regional and institutional bodies, such as Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) that have special development programs for bankers.

On the social and recreational side, we will look at more social and networking forums including sporting events and other team building initiatives.

To this end, and on behalf of the Council and the Committee of Management and the support of our members, I look forward to working closely with the institution to drive excellence and continue to provide the best for our members.
Vinaka vakalevu.

Isikeli Tikoduadua
PRESIDENT

April 2012

Messages of Past Presidents:

Dear Friends

My predecessor, Greg Watson, contributed the first message to this still very new website, outlining the aims and intentions of the Institutend his words remain extremely valid. I have therefore decided to retain it below for your viewing.

In this, my own initial message, I would first of all like to express my deep appreciation to the FIB Council for appointing me, and thank the recent Annual General Meeting for welcoming me as the Institute’s President for a two-year term, 2010/2011.

I would like to focus on the changing role of bankers in our society today. Much has been written in other parts of the world recently concerning the failure of bankers in certain countries to meet the expectations of their communities. It was very satisfying to see upon my arrival in Fiji that such criticism would have been unjust and that bankers in this country remain very much integrated with their clients. As its ongoing objective of providing broad-based training and development opportunities the Institute offers bankers a wide range of lectures by experts on issues such as Microfinance and at the same time allows inter-reaction with academics, regulators and representatives of other industries. The workshops which FIB holds also provide bankers with an in-depth knowledge and exposure on a wide range of banking subjects, thus directly or indirectly contributing towards their career advancement.

I would encourage bankers to use the Institute's initiatives to broaden their own networks and also their understanding of what both the Government and the wider community expect of them. By doing so bankers will help ensure that members of our profession retain the respect of those whom they aspire to serve.

As visitors to our website, I hope you will also derive learning benefit from the literature and information posted on various pages, and regularly updated.

I look forward in the near future to fulfilling this pleasant responsibility of representing you to the best of my ability.

Best regards.

Norman Wilson

PRESIDENT

April 2010

*************************************************************************************

Dear Friends

Welcome to the website of the Fiji Institute of Bankers (FIB) !

The Institute’s mission is to encourage and supplement the professional development of employees in the banking and finance industries in Fiji. Professionally competent employees will enhance the public image of Fiji’s Banking and Finance Industries, and this new website should go a long way in achieving these objectives.

This website, in addition to FIB’s usual delivery channels, will help impart industry-relevant knowledge for the benefit of FIB’s membership, and those who intend to join in future, For the first time since its inception in 1992 FIB members will be able to download banking and finance related literature and other reference material to assist them in their learning and overall professional development.

The website has some useful features, the access to which is secured, and is available to financial FIB members only. These include, a search and request facility, electronic newsletters, and updating of educational information which the FIB Secretariat will undertake at regular intervals. In addition, there is a provision for registering for FIB activities, and updating of personal data.

Other visitors to this website will be able to obtain general information about FIB and its activities. Those interested to take this further, will be able to register online to become a member of FIB, and to avail of its website resources.

I am certain banking and finance professionals in Fiji will take maximum advantage of this website and I wish them well in their endeavours.

GREG WATSON

January 2010