Onboarding Programme

Let's get focused!

Your 13 weeks of theoretical training starts with a two week period in which we will get to know each other better. First you’ll take part in the Introduction Week, followed by a one-week Ethics Course. This is your first interaction with the ProCredit group, a period during which you will have the chance to ask questions and discover what ProCredit is all about. At the same time, you will also be given the unique opportunity to explore, challenge and develop yourself, and ultimately, you will decide whether ProCredit’s way of doing business is a good fit for your personality.

Bankers – Masters of the Universe?

“You don’t see yourself as a typical banker? Neither do we. That’s why you’re with ProCredit!”

Who controls banks? Where does their money come from? How does this affect society and you personally? As a ProCredit staff member, you will become a part of a rapidly changing banking system. Therefore, you will need to know how these changes influence us and where the future of banking lies.

Sympathy for the devil’s advocate

Never before has so much information been so easily available as it is today – and never before has so much of it been fake. But why are people so easily fooled by false, emotionally charged arguments? Why do we attach too much importance to unrepresentative facts? Why do we find it hard to make rational decisions when presented with more than two choices? Why do we tend to invent links between things that may be totally unrelated? And why do we put so much faith in so-called experts?

The magic of modelling

Although this course is commonly referred to as Financial Mathematics, in fact the word “mathematics” is not really appropriate. Why? Because the calculations involved rarely go beyond simple arithmetic: multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. In other words, we use mathematics only on an elementary level for solving simple equations, which is why we prefer to call the course “Time Value of Money”. But what does that mean?

What makes one company different from another?

“It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.” – Molière

Who am I? What makes me who I am? Who do I want to be? Do my actions reflect how I see myself? Do these questions also apply to institutions, such as ProCredit? These questions are not only vital for tapping into our identity, but also for choosing an employer.

Why does sustainability matter for ProCredit?

Nowadays, the environment is a hot topic. There are warnings about the threats to the environment, organisations in charge of protecting it, and discussions about laws and people specialised in this area. What we hear less about is the association between banks and the environment. At ProCredit, we aim to conduct our business in a way that is in harmony with environmental sustainability. Furthermore, we aim to increase overall environmental awareness in the countries in which we operate. Why is that? Why do our banks pay so much attention to environmental awareness?

Let’s begin with the basics

At some point in your life, regardless of your educational background, you have most likely heard of accounting – the “language of business”. If you are familiar with the topic, you probably think of balance sheets and the like; if not, you probably think of intimidating numbers and accounts. This course was created specifically for participants with different educational backgrounds, including those with very little or no accounting knowledge, which is why it strictly focuses on the basics.

To what extent are you shaped by your environment?

To what degree is your understanding of the world formed by the society in which you grew up? How important is your role as a member of society with regard to improving or even challenging the current setup? How important is your role as an individual and as part of an institution? What is the impact of institutions on society and is your role strengthened by virtue of being part of such an institution? Does being part of an institution like ProCredit Bank make you more influential within your society? What does it mean to be part of ProCredit Bank? ProCredit describes itself as a “development bank” – but what does that really mean?

How numbers tell the story of a business

Working as a banker means that you deal with numbers every day. Therefore, this rather unorthodox financial analysis course is designed to help you understand more about the basics of financial statements. But primarily, it aims to further develop your critical thinking processes and to help you look behind the mere surface appearance of any number, statement, or “fact”.

Do we choose our clients or do they choose us?

A long-term relationship is based on mutual understanding, trust and shared values. For that reason, our business model is based on the idea of providing efficient services to specific types of clients. ProCredit banks are specialised banks for small and medum-sized enterprises, and we aim to be their Hausbank. We also actively address middle- and high-income private individuals who are interested in modern banking services. This might make us seem exclusive, but for a long-term relationship it is very important that we share the same understanding of growth, development, transparency and social and environmental awareness with our clients. With this in mind, the course poses respective questions.

Back at home!

You have been our colleague for three months now. Your theoretical training has just finished and it is time for you to go back home, back to your bank and to your practical training, preparing for real work.