Standard Bank PLC says professional development and financial literacy should go hand in hand to enable the country’s workforce to achieve meaningful personal growth and contribute to national economic development.

The Bank’s Head of Personal Banking, Takula Kapalamula, made the remarks during a symbolic K15 million cheque handover ceremony to sponsor the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM) Annual Conference, scheduled for October 23–25 in Mangochi.

“We believe that empowering people managers with financial knowledge and tools is key to building resilient institutions,” said Kapalamula.

“Our partnership with IPMM reflects our purpose of driving Malawi’s growth.”

Kapalamula added that Standard Bank will roll out its flagship Financial Fitness Academy to all IPMM members and their respective institutions.

“This initiative will be complemented by a tailored customer value proposition designed to meet the unique financial needs of HR professionals and their organizations,” he said.

IPMM Executive Director Willy Nkhoma, in a statement made available to Zodiak, expressed gratitude to Standard Bank for its continued support.

“We are truly honored by Standard Bank’s generous support for this year’s Annual Conference,” said Nkhoma. “Our partnership extends beyond financial assistance — it reflects a shared commitment to building a future-ready workforce."

He added: “By integrating financial literacy into professional development, we empower our members with the knowledge and resilience to lead thriving organizations and communities. We look forward to a lasting collaboration that continues to benefit our members and the nation as a whole.”