What it does: personal and business banking services.
Best known for: The company reportedly operates the third-largest ATM network service in Pakistan.
Staff stats: More than 9,000 employees.
The good bits: You can be a manager at Bank Al Habib more quickly by joining its roster of management trainee officers.
The not so good bits: The bank prefers to hire men for certain roles including credit officers and audit officers.
Hiring grads with top marks in: accounting, banking and finance; commerce and economics; engineering and information technology, human resources and law; communications and media; business and marketing.
Bank AL Habib began with operations in 1992 after being incorporated as a public limited company in 1991 under the sponsorship of Dawood Habib Group. The bank’s parent company has been involved in the banking industry since the 1920s, including the formation of Habib Bank Ltd. that is the largest bank in Pakistan in terms of total assets.
From 2005 to 2013, Bank AL Habib has achieved different milestones from launching its internet banking services to joining the Top 200 Best Under a Billion Companies in Asia. By 2017, the company has recorded more than PRK 796 billion of assets, PRK 46 billion of shareholders’ funds, and over 745 branches in Pakistan. The bank’s overseas footprint spans sub-branches in Bahrain, Kenya, Malaysia and Seychelles, as well as representative offices in China, Turkey and the UAE.
Most people apply online for job vacancies at Bank Al Habib. The hiring process can take seven days up to four months depending on the role. Applicants should pass a written test before moving to the interview stage. Lengthy interviews are quite common with questions about your degree, technical expertise and career goals in the next five years.
The interviewers, which can be as many as three people, might also ask personal questions involving your family background or history. If you apply for a graduate trainee officer (GTO) position, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an HEC-recognised university, a minimum CGPA of 2.5 or a minimum 1st Division in Matriculation and Intermediate, and not be more than 25 years old.
You can also apply as a management trainee officer (MTOs). The company requires a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree from an HEC-recognised university with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Aspiring MTOs must not be more than 25 years old.
The company accepts applicants without any experience for graduate trainee and management trainee positions. GTO and MTO programmes usually last for four months and six months, respectively. Analysts and business development officers at the company usually have one to two years of experience in investment banking or corporate finance operations.
Associates, audit officers and credit officers have at least three years of experience in the relevant fields. You’re more likely to become an audit officer or credit officer if you have an MBA, as the bank prefers this educational level for both roles. An MBA or ACCA also boosts your chances of becoming a senior manager once you have four years of experience in the related position.
Upper-level management includes senior chief managers who have at least 15 years of experience. The bank prefers to hire individuals with trade certifications and an MBA or master’s degree from an HEC-recognised university.
GTOs earn PKR 25,000 per month that will be increased to PKR 30,000 upon completion of the training and a final job offer. The median salary for bankers ranges up to PKR 42,000 per month, while foreign trade officers earn between PKR 27,000 and PKR 45,000 on average per month.
The company pays at least PKR 29,000 for relationship managers and PKR 34,000 for operations managers every month. Health and life insurance, provident and gratuity fund, ex gratia financing assistance for home, personal and motorcycle loans, and thrice-a-year bonuses are some of the employment benefits.
The bank claims not to discriminate against a person’s special needs, gender and religion. Employees’ performance is also based on merit with room for improvement through different training programmes. Many also feel satisfied with the job security and benefits at the company.
Some staff members, however, believe that work-life balance can be improved by avoiding overtime or staying at their desks for long hours. While a diverse workforce can be a good thing, graduates must already know how to deal with individuals from all backgrounds.
Bank Al Habib’s competitors in the private banking sector include Askari Bank, Allied Bank, Bank Alfalah and MCB Bank.
The bank has donated almost PKR 160 million for education, health, social development projects for underprivileged people. Bank Al Habib’s contribution to the national exchequer has reached around PKR 6.62 billion. No Smoking Zones are also implemented across the company’s offices for a healthy work environment.
Graduates with honours will find it easy to land a management role at Bank Al Habib, primarily due to its MTO programme. The employment gap between men and women isn’t noticeable, although some positions favour male applicants. The bank may also not hire those who graduated at a later age for GTO and MTO roles. Job opportunities for senior roles also have an age limit, which can put pressure on some individuals to perform well and meet their targets for promotion.