CAB Interbank Quiz Competition celebrates 25 years: Interview with Upul De Silva

In honour of the 25th annual Interbank Quiz Competition organised by the Clearing Association of Bankers, the organisation’s president, Upul De Silva was more than happy to share the story of the background and the current standing of one of the country’s most popular interbank activities. Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What is the main purpose surrounding the existence of the Clearing Association of Bankers (CAB)?

A: This Association was formed in 2008 with the objective of enhancing the knowledge of bankers especially in the sphere of electronic clearing. Promoting goodwill, understanding and fellowship among bankers engaged in clearing, and acquiring the cutting edge technology in the world with regard to clearing for member banks are some of the other basic objectives of CAB. These have been achieved through island-wide activities with encouraging response. 

In addition to that we take up various issues and put forward suggestions to the development of the banking industry in relation to clearing operations through one forum to regulators and other relevant authorities.

We must pay our gratitude to the Founder President Halin Hettigoda and his team for forming this association.      

Q: What brought about the inception of the annual Interbank Quiz Competition?

A: The Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Colombo chapter began conducting the annual Interbank Quiz in 1992. 

In 2011 the CAB and CIB got together and organised the quiz for the first time. The CIB and CAB jointly held the quiz for two years and from 2013 onwards CAB has been conducting the quiz, as CIB Colombo chapter has come to an end. 

The Interbank Quiz Competition is a healthy mix of competition and fun. It serves as a means of fostering good relationships among the bankers and imparts knowledge on varied subjects including; current affairs, law relating to banking and finance, international trade, sports and entertainment.

The quiz is worked out in five rounds, each team comprising of five members face the quizmaster together in the five rounds. Each round has ten questions making up a total of 50 questions.

This helps in developing skills and knowledge in banking, which help to develop the quality and standard in order to build up a better relationship between colleagues in competitor banks while developing their knowledge of the industry. Another aspect is the huge impact on bankers to work as one body and one mind.

Q: What kind of progress has the Quiz gone through over the past 25 years?

A: This competition has become the most popular and the main quiz event in the banking sector in the country with over 40 teams from different banks.

Further this has been expanded to non commercial banks as well as the financial sector in the country, which was earlier only for commercial banks.

This year will see the highest value of prize money awarded to a winning team by CAB.

We made the CAB Quiz the only competition that proceeds with a meeting of the respective team leaders to gather suggestions and ideas, provided with ‘sign posts’ to boost their confidence. The Interbank Quiz is the only competition where a team leader is permitted to challenge the Quizmaster, and source materials pertaining to every answer is put on the screen after each round.

Q: How has the Interbank Quiz contributed to the development of the industry?

A: By raising the standard of knowledge among staff members and building relationships between different competitor banks and by solving a considerable amount of day-to-day operational matters.

Q: What special additions and surprises does this year’s quiz hold in store for its participants and fans?

A:

1.Highest prize money 

2.Re-branding of the quiz 

3.Lot of excitements followed with fun activities and fellowship

Q: What kind of post-event results do you hope to see this year?

A:1.To continue the prestigious quiz as it a most sought after events in the banking fraternity. 

2.The popularisation of the CAB among other bakers other than staff working at clearing departments.

3.The facilitation of the providing of banking knowledge among members and none members.

ABS Courier co-sponsors CAB Quiz 2017

ABS Courier Ltd. has come forward to co-sponsor the Clearing Association of Bankers CAB Quiz 2017. Here ABS Group Director (Rtd) Wing Commander Pradeep Kannangara (left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to the President of the Clearing Association of Bankers Upul de Silva. 

Palitha Wickramasinghe – Manager Operations and Sudath Karunaratne – Senior Manager of ABS Courier, along with L.U.L. Alwis – Exco. Member of the Clearing Association of Bankers are also present.