The National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan, continuing its commitment to financial sector education and risk governance, conducted a one-day training session on “SBP Fraud Risk Management” in Multan on July 16, 2025. This specialized training was part of NIBAF’s broader remote area outreach efforts to strengthen fraud prevention capabilities and compliance awareness in regional banking centers.
The session was facilitated by Syed Taqqi Shah, a seasoned trainer with extensive experience in risk management, regulatory compliance, and internal control frameworks. His practical insights, drawn from years of on-ground experience, provided attendees with both strategic and operational understanding of fraud risk management practices relevant to the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) evolving regulatory standards.
This initiative specifically targeted officers and staff members working in regional banking environments, where access to consistent and updated training can often be limited. By hosting the session in Multan, NIBAF ensured that critical knowledge and preventive frameworks reached a wider segment of the financial workforce beyond major metropolitan centers.
The training covered a comprehensive set of topics including the nature and typologies of financial fraud, internal control mechanisms, red flags in transactional behavior, and the latest SBP guidelines and expectations surrounding fraud risk mitigation. Participants were introduced to tools and methodologies for conducting internal investigations, understanding digital vulnerabilities, and applying a risk-based approach to fraud detection.
Interactive discussions, scenario-based examples, and risk simulation exercises were integrated throughout the session to foster practical understanding. Syed Taqqi Shah emphasized the importance of early detection, internal audit alignment, and regulatory reporting, reinforcing the idea that managing fraud risk is a shared responsibility across departments.
The session also addressed recent case studies from Pakistan’s banking sector, offering real-world lessons in risk handling, gap identification, and corrective measures. Such contextual analysis enabled participants to grasp the implications of fraud not only from a financial standpoint but also in terms of reputational damage and institutional trust.
This remote training is part of NIBAF’s nationwide initiative to enhance institutional resilience, especially in underrepresented banking regions. As fraud tactics evolve with increasing digitization in the financial ecosystem, the need for decentralized and accessible training grows ever more critical.
Participants responded positively to the session, noting that it provided actionable insights tailored to the realities of regional banking. Many expressed appreciation for the focused attention on compliance education outside urban centers, which they believe can directly contribute to a more secure and transparent financial environment.
By delivering high-impact, region-specific training on sensitive areas like fraud risk management, NIBAF continues to elevate the operational integrity of Pakistan’s banking infrastructure. As financial systems grow more complex, such targeted educational outreach programs are essential in reinforcing regulatory compliance, customer protection, and public trust.