The Hindu Business Line : Promotion norms getting tougher

"Even the concept of performance has changed from the cability to mobilise more deposits and advances to skills in credit assessment, risk perception and ability to handle both risk in assets and liability portfolio of banks," Mr A. Sethumadhavan, Chairman of South Indian Bank, said.

Increasingly, the one who makes the grade is the techno-savvy banker with the sound grasp of the debt, gilts and capital markets and of economic indicators such as inflationary spiral and fiscal deficit "The modern-day banker needs to develop a holistic perception about the global economy in order to protect the bank's various portfolios. Banking is no longer a nine-to-five job but has evolved into to a 24-hour occupation," Mr K.P. Padmakumar, Chairman of Federal Bank, said.

. The ability to balance the day-book at the end of the day no longer counts in banking parlance. It is the ability of the banker to differentiate risks, handle technology, computers and the vast amount of data that they offer that marks a good banker from the mediocre. Even the trade unions have increasingly begun to recognise the need to go by merit-based promotions rather than mere seniority alone, the bankers said.

The technology and computerisation have made possible greater convenience to banking industry at the lower level, but pose daunting challenges to those at the top. . Technology-driven products and customer satisfaction have become the mantra for the front office staff and others who interact with the customers on a day-to-day basis.

"I spend couple of hours everyday on the core banking solutions offered by our bank. It throws up voluminous amount of data on every facet of banking operations. Assimilation, analysis and drawing incisive conclusion on the spot are no easy task. But that is where the good banker is going to stand out from the rest," Mr Sethumadhavan added.

Banking is not getting any easier. But the pay packets have been getting bigger with several foreign and new generation private sector banks scouting around for fresh talent.