Polaris Bank Urges Newly Inducted Bankers To Uphold Integrity

The chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr Kassim Gidado, has called on newly inducted banking professionals to remain committed to integrity, ethical conduct, and professional excellence in their careers.

Gidado gave the charge while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Stream One Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

The ceremony, held in Lagos over the weekend, witnessed the induction of 2,037 professionals into the Institute’s prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadres, an achievement that marks a significant step in their professional development within the banking industry.

According to the Institute, the inductees qualified through different certification pathways. These include 9 candidates through the Chartered Banker/MBA route, 816 through the Chartered Banker Regular Route, 25 through the MSc/Chartered Banker pathway, 262 through the SMP/AMP/Chartered Banker route and 435 Microfinance Certified Professionals.

The newly inducted members comprise executives and management staff of Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks and other financial institutions, alongside professionals from both the public and private sectors, self-employed members of the Institute, and graduates of affiliated tertiary institutions.

Gidado noted that the induction ceremony represents far more than a formal recognition of professional status.

Rather, he described it as a reflection of dedication, discipline and the pursuit of excellence within the banking profession.

He observed that the financial services industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological innovation, evolving regulatory frameworks, and the increasing push for financial inclusion.

Despite these changes, he emphasised that trust remains the cornerstone of banking, stressing that the credibility and stability of financial institutions ultimately rest on the integrity and professionalism of the individuals who operate within the system.

Gidado commended the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for its sustained efforts to strengthen professional standards and build industry capacity through its certification programmes.

He further highlighted the importance of developing human capital in the financial services industry, noting that the future success of banks will depend not only on technology and capital but also on the competence and character of the professionals entrusted with managing them.

“At Polaris Bank, we view human capital as our most critical asset. Sustainable growth in banking will always depend on the quality, integrity and professionalism of the people who drive the system,” he said.

An accomplished academic, Gidado encouraged the newly inducted Chartered Bankers to anchor their careers on three enduring values: integrity, continuous learning and purposeful leadership.

The 2026 Stream one Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony attracted leading figures from across the financial services sector, including regulators, industry leaders and banking professionals, who gathered to celebrate professional achievement and reaffirm the importance of certification in promoting confidence and stability within Nigeria’s banking industry.