Roundtable: The role of internal audit in promoting integrity and transparency in the banking sector
As part of Integrity Week, organized by the International Chamber of Commerce in Albania (ICC Albania), the Albanian Association of Banks (AAB), a member of ICC, hosted a roundtable on December 12, 2024, under the theme: “The role of internal audit in promoting integrity in the banking sector”. Integrity Week, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of ethics, transparency, and accountability in both public and private sectors, provides a platform to promote the values of integrity and foster collaboration between institutions and the business sector.
The roundtable brought together representatives from the Bank of Albania, ICC Albania, and AAB’s Internal Audit Committee, focusing on the importance of transparency, compliance, and trust in the banking sector, as well as promoting ethics and corporate culture.
The agenda included presentations on new global ethical standards and the role of internal audit in strengthening accountability and integrity within the sector. Open discussions and testimonies from banks provided concrete examples of best practices and current challenges. Discussions also addressed policies against fraud and corruption, as well as internal whistleblowing systems as essential mechanisms for managing ethics and preventing irregularities.
The key conclusions of the roundtable included:
• Reviewing the regulatory framework, with a focus on consumer protection, transparency, and the enhancing results in the implementation of the basic accounts law.
• Continuing similar roundtable discussions to strengthen relationships between regulators and the banking industry.
• Increasing collaboration to raise awareness and advance ethics in the banking sector.
The roundtable was welcomed as an important step in fostering inter-institutional collaboration and reinforcing best practices in internal auditing and compliance.
