Attendees at the free banking-entry seminar organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers have given the event a thumbs up.

"The seminar definitely taught me more about the banking industry. It was quite comprehensive. I found it useful," says Calvin Yu, who teaches mathematics at a local institute.

Due to his interest and what he calls his "sensitivity" to numbers, Yu is considering making a career switch to banking. But poor knowledge of the industry is making him hesitant to make the jump, he adds.

"But the seminar showed me what I wanted to know, such as what the industry requires from its staff and what qualifications an applicant should possess when applying for a job," Yu says.

He adds that the seminar had greatly improved his confidence to seek a job in the banking industry.

"I am quite determined to make a career change, but I am just not sure if I can successfully find a job in the industry or not," he says.

Mark Tang and Chris Wong are students in their final year of studying finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Both are interested in joining the banking industry after graduation, and they attended the seminar for this reason.

"The seminar was quite good. We know more about the industry after listening to [speaker Kimmy] Pong [of Hang Seng Bank]," Tang says.

Although Pong said having a finance degree to join the industry isn't necessary, Tang and Wong are confident of the advantages that come from their studying a degree in finance.

"Our analytical ability in finance is better [than that of others], and we [are more familiar than others] in terms of financial theory," says Wong.

Given their academic background, the two students believe it will be easier for them to join the industry. They are confident about competing with other university graduates, too.

The two believe that the prospects of the banking industry in Hong Kong will remain bright.

They intend on pursuing further professional qualifications at a later stage to increase their attractiveness to prospective employers, and to secure a solid career in banking.