In this new section, we regularly present the House of Training’s partners.
Today, meet Catherine Bourin, member of the ABBL Management Committee.
Could you present the ABBL in a few words?
The ABBL is the largest professional association in the financial sector, representing it in all its diversity. We federate and defend the interests of our members, speaking with one voice for the entire sector, both nationally and internationally. We also provide our members with the resources and services they need to operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
What have been the challenges and achievements of the ABBL during the health crisis? What are its plans for the future?
When I look at what we achieved, I am proud of the role the ABBL is playing during the pandemic. The first challenge was to ensure the continuity of banking services. Our members had to implement homeworking on a massive scale, while maintaining high levels of security. At the ABBL, we provided information and support, and lobbied for flexibility measures to help our members meet this challenge, particularly in terms of agreements for the taxation of cross-border workers, business continuity plan, data security, teleworking as well as health and safety measures in banks.
Then it was about protecting businesses and the economy in general. We helped facilitate an agreement between the banks and the Ministry of Finance to set up state-guaranteed loans for businesses hit by the pandemic. We also brought together the most active banks in financing in Luxembourg to agree terms for special ‘covid loans’ and moratoria for existing loans already granted to professional clients.
For the future, we have identified two main areas of transformation for the banking sector. The first is the digitalisation of banks, accelerated by the health crisis. Consumers are becoming even more digital, and have high expectations of the banking services and products available online.
The second is sustainable finance. Both customers and banks have become aware of their role in the fight against climate change, which means responsible financial products and more sustainable investments.
How do you see the importance of education for the banking sector and what are the benefits of working with the House of Training? What is one programme you would like to highlight?
The banking sector is becoming more complex and is constantly evolving, with new regulations, digital transformation, the challenges of sustainable finance... To respond to this, profiles are becoming more specialised, with new skills to acquire. Working in a bank today means continuous training throughout your career.
What our members particularly appreciate about the House of Training is the strong alignment of available courses with actual jobs in the field. Every important professional profile in the sector and major problematics are included, and the training is given by experts who know the reality of banking. Most importantly, trainings and training offers are constantly updated to take into consideration evolutions in the regulatory framework, and needs of the banking sector.
If I had to highlight only one programme, it would be the "Women in Leadership" training. As a woman and a member of the ABBL Management Board, I believe that gender equality in the workplace, and especially in leadership positions, is fundamental and in the best interest of our members. This programme, dedicated to women, provides tools to help them unlock their full potential and understand the impact of gender role socialisation on our career and life choices.
