On May 20, 2025, the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan conducted a focused training session titled “Anti-Bribery & Corruption” exclusively for Samba Bank at its Karachi Campus. This initiative underscores the growing commitment within Pakistan’s banking sector to enhance ethical practices and strengthen internal governance frameworks.
The one-day training session was led by Mr. Shehzada Imtiaz, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in compliance, governance, and anti-corruption frameworks. The training aimed to equip Samba Bank’s employees with the essential knowledge and practical tools required to identify, prevent, and respond effectively to bribery and corruption risks within financial institutions.
Held at the state-of-the-art Karachi campus of NIBAF, the session was attended by various senior executives and compliance professionals from Samba Bank. The agenda focused on real-world case studies, current global standards, and local regulations relating to anti-bribery and corruption policies. Mr. Imtiaz emphasized the importance of integrating ethical values into the corporate culture and highlighted international frameworks such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act as benchmarks for internal compliance systems.
In today’s highly interconnected and digitally evolving financial landscape, corruption risks are not only a reputational threat but also pose significant legal and operational challenges. Mr. Imtiaz addressed these concerns by discussing risk management strategies, internal control systems, whistleblower policies, and the role of leadership in fostering a zero-tolerance culture toward unethical practices.
Samba Bank’s collaboration with NIBAF reflects a proactive approach to strengthening its internal control mechanisms and promoting transparency across all operational levels. By investing in capacity-building programs like this, Samba Bank is not only ensuring regulatory compliance but also setting a benchmark for other financial institutions in Pakistan to follow.
NIBAF, which operates under the aegis of the State Bank of Pakistan, continues to serve as a leading institution for professional development in the banking and finance sector. Through its specialized training modules, it seeks to promote best practices, encourage regulatory alignment, and support the professional growth of banking professionals across the country.
This training also comes at a critical time when regulatory bodies in Pakistan are increasingly focusing on tightening compliance regulations and aligning local banking practices with international standards. As financial institutions face rising scrutiny from both national and international regulators, trainings like these are essential to prepare staff to navigate complex ethical challenges and uphold institutional integrity.
The exclusive nature of the training for Samba Bank marks a significant step in fostering a culture of accountability and governance within Pakistan’s financial sector. It also signals NIBAF’s strategic intent to expand its customized training programs for individual institutions, catering to their specific needs and risk environments.
As banking systems evolve in response to new technological developments and regulatory demands, efforts to combat bribery and corruption must be prioritized. This training session serves as a timely reminder of the importance of continuous professional education and institutional vigilance in maintaining public trust in financial services.