What it does: CRDB Bank Plc (CRDB) is a leading financial services provider in Tanzania, Burundi and other countries in East Africa. It provides a range of banking and financial services, including agent banking and microfinance, for corporate, retail, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Staff stats: 3000+
The good bits: Employees are encouraged to share ideas and are said to be supportive. CRDB offers learning opportunities for fresh graduates, as well as opportunities for salary raises and promotions.
The not so good bits: Heavy workload, competitive culture and low salary when starting out. The company puts its customers before staff.
CRDB Bank was established in 1996 and has grown to become one of the most innovative and responsive financial services providers in the region, being labelled as the Tanzanian ‘banking leading light’ and being named as East Africa’s most Innovative Bank by The Business Year Magazine.
CRDB Bank has a network of 260 branches, 551 ATMs, 18 depository ATMs, 12 mobile branches, 1184 point of sales (POS) terminals and 450 microfinance partner institutions, through which it offers a comprehensive range of corporate, retail, business, treasury, premier, and wholesale microfinance services. CRDB Bank was the first to offer agency banking services in Tanzania and has 3286 Fahari Huduma agents across the country.
CRDB Bank offers an informal but productive environment where all ideas are said to be valued by the organisation, with each employee encouraged to share any innovative and inspiring ideas. The bank claims that their open environment brings out the best in their staff, however, employees have reported that the company culture does not encourage creativity and the company is quite slow carrying out day-to-day activities.
The company keeps the integrity of its employees in high regard. Therefore, it has a no-compromise policy on misconduct, corruption, and fraudulent activities. To encourage this culture, CRDB has an anonymous whistleblower scheme which offers rewards to people who provide information about any employee malpractice, such as bribery, or fraud.
CRDB Bank provides financial and non-financial support, donations, and/or grants to a range of sustainable causes. Through its investment policy, CRDB supports the community in three areas: education, health, and environment. In addition, CRDB invests a good deal of capital and effort in programs related to youth sports and environmental issues.
At CRDB Bank, candidates should be prepared to experience a steep learning curve in a professional environment that will test their technical and soft skills. Graduates should expect a high workload with strict deadlines, and managers who set the bar very high. New employees are surrounded by professionals and highly competitive colleagues, which may be difficult for some graduates
Interested grads and interns who fulfil the criteria for a specific opening are required to submit an online application along with an up-to-date CV and two work-related referees. Shortlisted candidates are called for interviews, which are conducted by the head of the department for that role. Interviews are conducted in a friendly environment where most of the questions are related to your previous educational or work experience and future ambitions, along with situation-based analytical and problem-solving questions.
CRDB Bank claims to be always on the lookout for fresh talent and hires people who have the drive, the will and discipline to succeed. Graduates can expect a tough work environment that pushes grads to gain maximum experience.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration, banking, accounting, finance, or any business-related field, you are eligible to apply for most of the job openings at CRDB. Additionally, you will need to be fluent in English and Swahili. You are also required to have the highest level of versatility, adaptability, and be able to work in CRDB’s highly challenging environment. Though experience is a plus, the company hires a good number of fresh graduates who are promising and demonstrate potential and openness to learn new things and take on challenges.
CRDB Bank offers competitive remuneration and benefits. Trainee bank officers can expect a monthly salary of TZS484,000 to TZS523,000.