Background Verification in the Banking Sector: Why Is It Needed And How Is It Done?
A background check and verification means an organized investigation into a person or a company. A thorough examination of a candidate’s employment history, college degrees, academic credentials, court records, and occasionally credit ratings constitutes an employee background verification process.
Typically, the procedure takes three to ten days. But it might go further if an employer wishes to dig into an employee’s history in more detail (mostly done for senior-level hires).
Once you pass all interview stages, a company typically conducts a background check on you.
Financial institutions and banks should always exercise caution; you can stop future frauds and similar fraudulent activities in due course. Background checks are rigorous in the banking sector since banking positions require access to sensitive personal and financial data. When we hire professionals for financial institutions, insurance agencies, or the banking sector, these kinds of verification become required. When you recruit a prospective employee with a history of defaulting on his obligations, the likelihood that he may commit some theft increases, this article explains the process and explains background verification in the banking sector.
Pre and Post Employee Background Checks
Reviewing the historical data of employees, such as managers, senior managers, and any C-level job workers, before appointing them is known as pre-employment screening, or in layman’s terms, “background checks.”
A high-ranking employee or someone above the management level with access to sensitive company information significantly impacts their organization. The company’s overall success may suffer if the employer chooses the incorrect candidate.
We examine any potential evidence of poor work ethics or fraud and the integrity of candidates’ information (if any).
Why is background verification necessary?
Banks and financial organizations utilize background checks at all levels of their staff, even though they are becoming more widespread in most industries.
Pre-employment background checks are crucial in the banking industry, where personnel handle sensitive financial and personal data about customers, stakeholders, and insurers. Among the sensitive data are customer bank account information, passwords needed for cash transfers, and corporate protocol. It is impossible to overestimate the value of having an ethical workforce in the BFSI industry.
It goes without saying that efforts should be made to protect the financial facility’s reputation and security. Preventative measures, including staff background checks, might reduce the lack of trust in this industry.
What Does a Background Check Look Like for Banks?
The majority of banks ask for the following kinds of searches since staff members have access to customers’ private information and money from the financial institution:
Criminal history check
Employment background
Knowledge of history
Credit report
Authentication of identity
Domestic terrorists search the watch list.
How is the background check procedure performed in India?
Companies call their most recent employer to begin the background verification process. They will compare the information you provided to data from an employee’s previous employer.
Afterwards, businesses search public databases (criminal records) for evidence of illicit behavior. They then review employees’ educational records to confirm their degrees and certifications.
Finally, businesses will confirm employee addresses. Sometimes they even send representatives to check out a candidate’s actual locations.
But background checks are carried out in various ways by various Indian businesses. The process is as follows:
Large private enterprises engage outside firms to handle the verification check.
Small and medium businesses typically delegate all duties to their HR department.
Before giving a job, government companies or PSUs do a thorough background check.
The first thing PSUs request is residential verification of the employee’s most recent four-year residence for more than six months. Additionally, you must provide documentation of the employee’s current local location and permanent home. Based on that data, the corporation contacts the District Magistrates or Police Commissioners of the places where you reside to request employee records.
What is the period of the employee background verification process?
A thorough examination of a candidate’s employment history, college degrees, academic credentials, court records, and occasionally credit ratings constitutes an employee background verification process.
Typically, the procedure takes three to ten days. But it might go further if an employer wishes to dig into an employee’s history in more detail (mostly done for senior-level hires).
Once you pass all the interview stages, a company typically conducts a background check on you.
What Details Might Show Up in a Background Check?
During a background check process, employers examine the following information before extending an offer to you:
Employee public records – Any law enforcement agency can provide businesses access to employee court records and criminal history.
Employee work history – Companies will look up information about employees’ previous employers, including the dates they worked there, employee jobs in each organization, employee pay, performance history, how they behaved there, and other details. And don’t forget the outcome of the drug test!
Records of education – Businesses will contact the employee’s universities to verify employee credentials. This is a given because the most frequent corporate fraud is the forgery of credentials, such as degrees, certificates, and grades.
Address Verification: employee address because who lies about their address? The employee might be attempting to conceal their background and their residence.
Are background checks legal in India?
They are, indeed. Additionally, job history inquiries are primarily unregulated in India. There are no set guidelines that govern it. Additionally, the legalese surrounding background checks is so nebulous that many third-party organizations have no trouble ignoring it.
Therefore, even though every company needs the employee’s permission to conduct a background check, many do so regardless.
Here are four facts concerning background checks that you should be aware of:
Companies in India with ISO 27001 accreditation are required to run a background check on potential employees.
Employee biometric data, financial history, and medical information are all confidential. Without employee consent, an employer cannot access it (seriously!).
No rules prohibit businesses from looking through employees’ social media.
Conclusion
Hire dependable and trustworthy staff is essential in the banking sector, where businesses depend on ethical behaviour to thrive. However, the bank should treat the candidate’s data with respect and responsibility as an employer regardless of whether the verification results are excellent or negative. Various people, including the candidate’s career future and the organization’s reputation, may be impacted by this information. At every point of the life cycle, this step in the talent management process requires correct treatment.
Fortunately, digital products on the market are constantly improving to make this procedure more accessible, more dependable, and less prone to mistakes.
In addition to our standard background verification services, Integritas also offer customized solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients. We understand that every organization has different requirements, and we are committed to providing the highest level of service possible. Our company also offers different services like insurance check, tenant verification and database check to make sure that you are getting the best possible deal.
