An interview with Nauman Ansari, President & Chief Executive Officer of Faysal Bank Limited With Faysal Bank being the leading bank in Pakistan, what are the elements that have brought the Bank to this point of growth? At Faysal Bank we recognize that we owe our success to our customers who have reposed their trust in us for meeting their banking needs and accordingly one of our key focus areas is on ensuring a consistently positive customer experience. This is also how our Brand is perceived - as a Bank with credibility and character.
We have invested a great deal in training our staff to ensure they are well equipped with the skills to cater effectively and responsively to the needs of our clients. In fact, the efforts of our employees with their commitment to our vision of delivering a superior banking experience to our customers is also a core reason for our success.
Over the past couple of years, our focus on technology has also increased and we are exploring ways and means to simplify and automate our processes so that turnaround times go down and the customer experience is further improved.
These are all things we will continue to focus on and the positive results so far have allowed us to ramp up our growth despite a low interest rate environment. Last year, we successfully accomplished our goal of opening 75 new Islamic Branches and we now have more than 350 branches with a footprint that spreads across 100 cities in Pakistan.
Our vision continues to aim at growing our Islamic franchise and converting the conventional arm prudently over time, while continuing to offer innovative and diverse banking solutions to our clients.
Tell us in terms of CSR what Faysal Bank believes in. Faysal Bank strongly believes in giving back to the community and our CSR spend is focused on projects which will provide long term value and benefits to the community at large such as those related to literacy, healthcare, poverty alleviation and environment sustainability.
How do you see the CSR aspect growing in Pakistan? CSR is growing in importance with each passing year. We know the resources required for sustainable social development are beyond the public sector's reach. Many organisations as responsible corporate citizens have, therefore, come forward to pledge their part in sustainable community building where education and healthcare facilities should be accessible and available to all. Many companies, working with different NPO's, are also putting in sincere efforts to reduce poverty by addressing its scourges.
I can still recall the first time when people heard about environmental sustainability in Pakistan, they behaved very indifferently. But now their reaction towards this aspect has changed. Now you can see many projects focusing on pollution awareness, safety, waste management, green offices, planting saplings and mangroves, etc, in the country.
In a bid to protect the environment, Faysal bank discontinued the printed version of its newsletter, The Blue Octagram, in the early 2014. While as a bank, we cannot fully become paperless, we are trying as much as possible to reduce our use of paper through the use of innovative digital archiving methodologies, collaborative working methodologies and virtual interfaces.
What are the major CSR projects which your bank has invested into?
No country can achieve sustainable economic growth if it lacks the basic infrastructure. We prefer contributing to social sector infrastructure which strengthens the community. We have had many projects. We closely work with different hospitals, schools, NPO's whose presence really matters in the society.
You must be aware that Faysal Bank Limited helped Institute of Business Administration construct an academic block in their City Campus, Karachi by providing a generous donation of PKR 75 million. The block was constructed and named after our bank and houses a purpose-built center for executive education, center of business and economic research, state-of-the art classrooms, seminar rooms and video conferencing room.
In healthcare, Faysal Bank is funding Patients' Aid Foundation and helping them with their project of "609 Bed Surgical Complex" being built in Jinnah Hospital, Karachi, along with other corporate donors. We have sponsored the cost of construction and equipment of Emergency Room CT Scan Unit of Indus Hospital towards their Phase I - expansion plan. The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, is constructing Centre of Excellence in Cardiac Sciences. Recognizing their commitment to check increasing cardiac problems, we have significantly contributed to their cause. Faysal Bank also works with Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre for their Tuberculosis Control Program in Gilgit Baltistan. We have also sponsored various machines for different hospitals for public welfare.
We in collaboration with The Citizens Foundation built and sponsored 2 TCF secondary schools located in the flood-hit areas of Khushab and Mianwali in September 2011. The schools were made operational in 2012.
Are you satisfied with the progress of education in our country? What does Faysal Bank do for reducing poverty in the country?
While investment and budgetary allocations for the educational sector have increased in rupee terms on an overall basis when compared to earlier periods, unfortunately it is not enough. We not only have to invest in physical infrastructure like school buildings but also the quality of our teachers as well as in initiatives to increase enrolment across geographies, age-groups and genders.
This gap in provision of quality education across the board is not a problem faced by Pakistan alone, rather it is one faced by nearly all emerging economies, however it is one of the key long term investments which really pays off in terms of national development and growth.
At Faysal Bank, we have taken steps to improve enrollments by children in schools as well as in setting up more schools which are accessible by establishing working relationships with organisations which have a track record in this area. Additionally, we are also supporting special education institutes and initiatives and have also sponsored deserving students of different recognized vocational training institutes.
Does Faysal Bank encourage its employees to engage in social services?
Yes we do! Small gestures and acts of kindness bring gratitude in our lives and help us foster a positive mindset. Our employees are always encouraged to participate in social activities. We conduct blood donation drives for renowned health institutions where there is active participation from our employees. We also joined hands with TCF for its Rehbar programs to add value in personal and professional development of students.
In your personal opinion, what measure can improve our economic structure?
Today, what is really required is a national synergy model partnership wherein all stakeholders contribute to resource mobilization to help the government's efforts. This may be achieved in many ways, most important of which is to align our giving trends or channelizing our donations for more meaningful interventions directed for sustainable development.