Canadia Bank has developed into a financial giant over the past three decades with its focus on a well-trained, efficient and driven workforce – and the bank’s social conscience has grown with it.

Canadia Bank’s employees have been integral in its remarkable growth into one of Cambodia’s largest banks – and this is reflected in the company being recognised as the “Best Company to Work for in Asia 2020” by HR Asia.

And despite having grown into a financial giant, the importance of giving back has not been forgotten, with Canadia Bank being awarded the “Most Socially Responsible Bank in Cambodia” by the UK’s International Finance magazine.

Recognised as the best place to work, Canadia Bank continuously improves its operational excellence through an engaging working culture where teamwork and employee voice are key to success.

This commitment is evidenced by the award of “Best Company to Work for in Asia 2020”, with Canadia Bank recognised by HR Asia for its collective efforts in being the best partner to its colleagues.

“All recognition and awards are equally important and well received by Canadia Bank because it reflects recognition of the bank and its employees,” Canadia Bank CEO Raymond Sia has said of the bank’s awards.

Capacity development is at the heart of the bank’s efforts in driving excellence. To nurture performance-driven culture, training programmes are customised to develop employees and equip them with the best knowledge and skills to lead and bring innovation to people and the business.

To create the best employee experience, Canadia Bank consistently recognises and rewards those who realise the bank’s “TOP” values – “trust, ownership, and performance-driven”.

This sees Canadia Bank continue to revamp employee benefits, engage staff in cross-departmental and social events, and improve career development plans tailored to each employee’s needs.

It also provides effective training and development programmes, working with local communities and education institutes to provide talent in Cambodia with an inspiring and engaging workplace in which to learn and grow, and fulfil career dreams.

Canadia Bank provides 140 types of training courses on an annual basis ranged from soft skills and hard skills training to language training, coaching as well as 60 to100 per cent study support, sponsorship in oversea and external training, master’s and bachelor’s degrees, and CAT/ACCA certification programmes.

Canadia Bank has also partnered with the China Development Bank since 2015 to provide scholarships to its employees for post-graduate study in China.

To continue improving its employee experience, Canadia Bank conducts annual engagement surveys to collect employee feedback, customising learning and development programmes to create excellence in its people and business, and deliver timelier and friendlier employee services through the Human Resources Management Information System (HRSMIS).

In such ways, Canadia Bank strives to be the best employer, one that nurtures an environment for diverse and inclusive learning and development.Canadia Bank is also proud to be known as the most socially responsible bank.

Since its inception, Canadia Bank has not only supported the Kingdom in the transition from a centrally planned economy to a free market system, but has also continuously contributed to many economic development projects.

The contribution ranges from supporting the growth of SMEs by sponsoring the Cambodian Women Entrepreneur Association (CWEA) and the Young Entrepreneur Association of Cambodia, to assisting the agriculture sector.

Fundraising for Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital has continued through this year, with the bank topping up $0.75 every month as each employee at Canadia Bank donates $0.50 automatically from their salary.

The latest showcase CSR project was the joint sponsorship by Canadia Bank and CamTech University for the National Youth Debate programme. Organised by the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, the programme aims to educate Cambodian youth on the culture of dialogue through debate. High school students at Grade 11 across the country participated in the tournaments, in which the winning group was decided in the fourth round. Canadia Bank founder and chairman Neak Oknha Dr Pung Kheav Se has been at the fore front when Cambodia experiences hardship.

As well as regularly donating millions of dollars to the Kantha Bopha Foundation to supporting its five children’s hospitals, Dr Pung Kheav Se has also donated to the Cambodian Red Cross and towards flood relief. To help tackle the pandemic, he donated $6 million for vaccinations and $2 million towards buying a hospital to care for Covid-19 patients.

Total contributions over the past two years alone amount to more than $14 million, with more than $9.5 million from April 1, 2020 to June 30 this year –second to none in the banking sector.