Higher Certificate in Banking Services

Purpose

This qualification in Banking Services is an entry-level higher education qualification (being at NQF Level 5) designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to operate successfully in a specific junior/entry role in an organisation that promotes banking services.

The qualification is suitable for

• A school-leaver who wishes to enter a junior position in banking services.

Or

• A person who has achieved another qualification in an applied area of practice or a non-vocational area and seeks a more banking services-oriented qualification.

Or

• An employed person wishing to enhance, develop or formalise his/her skills and knowledge with a qualification in this area.

The qualification is designed to produce persons able to work in varied functions in a banking services environment. In line with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, (HEQSF), the qualification is primarily vocational or industry oriented and provides a sound basis for successful learners wishing to proceed with further studies. The qualification will thus provide a basic level of higher education knowledge and ensure that the qualifying learner is able to apply such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace.

The qualifying learner will

• Demonstrate an understanding of financial legislative requirements and apply the applicable law in a banking services environment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how banks and other financial services providers operate in the financial system.
• Apply knowledge and skills to operate responsibly in a selected discipline within the banking services sector.
• Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the products and services offered by banks and related financial services providers.

Rationale

This qualification in Banking Services takes the current demands of the banking industry into account whilst also providing a sound academic basis for further study. The qualification will appeal to learners who seek employment or are employed in an organisation that promotes banking services.

As such, it is in a banking sector that has changed tremendously in the last five years. Firstly, more providers other than banks are nowadays offering banking services. Secondly, there is on-going debate about the stability and ethical standards in the banking industry, both locally and internationally. Thirdly, vast arrays of banking services are offered today via electronic media or the telephone.

All of these changes were taken into consideration when putting together this qualification. In addition, employers in the banking field gave input into the qualification to ensure that the needs of these stakeholders were taken into consideration. General research around growth strategies of banks and the skills they are looking for was also done.

It is assumed that the learner would be competent in the language of instruction (English at NQF Level 4) and the theoretical knowledge and understanding accomplished at that level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners may achieve this qualification through RPL; the institution's RPL policy guides this process. Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competencies acquired through informal and non-formal learning are also assessed in the RPL process. The learner may then be given access to the qualification and may acquire credits for the appreciable modules.

Access to the Qualification

The access to this qualification is granted to applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or the alternative routes of entry. Applicants who are in possession of:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to a Higher Certificate.

Or

• A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 (NCV4).
• An appropriate Further Education and Training Certificate or equivalent.

Learners who have attained the age of 23 and have three years' work experience in the banking sector industry and are competent in English and Mathematical Literacy may access the qualification.

This qualification comprises six modules, all at NQF Level 5 and totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Banking 1A, 20 Credits.
• Banking 1B L5, 20 Credits.

Optional Modules (choose four)

• Sales 1A, 20 Credits.
• Sales 1B, 20 Credits.
• Bank Telling, 20 Credits.
• Customer Service, 20 Credits.
• Economic Fundamentals, 20 Credits.
• Business Management, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Credit, 20 Credits.
• Contact Centre Operations: Banking Services, 20 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.
• Accounting 1A, 20 Credits.
• Introduction into Micro-Finance, 20 Credits.
• Personal Financial Planning, 20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of financial legislative requirements and apply the applicable law in a banking services environment.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how banks and other financial services providers operate in the financial system.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and insight into the products and services offered by banks and related financial services providers.
4. Apply knowledge and skill to operate responsibly in a selected discipline within the banking services sector.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

Qualifying learners will be required to demonstrate competence in the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

• Identify, systematically examine, critically evaluates and solves problems in which responses display that responsible decisions have been made, using critical and creative thinking.
• Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
• Collect, analyse, organises and critically evaluates information.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
• Self-manage skills development from the range of experiences and learning opportunities available.
• Transfer skills and continuous learning to organisational setting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Relevant legislation is identified and applied in order to make compliant decisions in the work environment.
• Own operations are managed within the parameters set by compliance and legislation.
• The relationship between ethics and financial services legislation is understood against the background of client interaction, responsible business practice and contribution to an ethical business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The role-players in the industry are identified and categorised and the relationship amongst them is explained.
• Knowledge of the National Payment System is applied to understand the role banks play in the system.
• Knowledge of different banking instruments is applied in order to select the correct instrument in a given scenario.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Knowledge of the products offered by banks and related financial services providers is understood.
• How customers are best served is explained for a given case scenario.
• Knowledge of processes and procedures is applied in a banking environment in order to ensure efficiency.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Specialised knowledge of a particular field in banking services is applied at a basic level to solve problems, find solutions, select products and provide service to clients.
• Knowledge of the role that a particular field in banking services plays in the bigger context of the organisation is displayed.

Integrated Assessment

The quality of the assessment is vital in order to provide credible certification and recognition of achievement. The institution makes every effort to ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices. These procedures and practices are controlled by the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. By implementing these principles, all parties concerned (including learners, employers and learning institutions) may be assured of the credibility of the assessment process. It is in this way that accurate information about the learner's performance against the assessment criteria may be provided.

Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in the case studies. Formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of proposals and financial plans. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification.