Routes to Membership FAQs

Our programmes include specialist banking certificates, the flagship Chartered Banker Diploma and a growing range of postgraduate degree programmes offered with leading universities. We also offer approved qualifications for those in regulated advice roles. You can find more information on our qualifications pages. However, our qualifications include:

Professional Banker Certificate: offering a broad foundation of learning suitable for individuals new to or already working in retail, business and private banking environments.

Professional Banker Diploma: which builds on the Professional Banker module from the Professional Banker Certificate, opening up a range of wider banking disciplines for further study.

Associate Chartered Banker Diploma: enhances existing skills and knowledge to develop and demonstrate in-depth the core technical knowledge and key practical skills that a professional and ethical banker requires.

Chartered Banker Diploma: the highest level qualification awarded by the Institute, leading to Chartered Banker status. The programme provides extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of the banking sector, both in theory and in practice.

Green and Sustainable Finance: This global, benchmark qualification will help individuals to develop their understanding of, and apply, green and sustainable finance principles and practice in their roles and within their institutions.  

In addition to the Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Banking in a Digital Age, there are several other routes to Chartered Banker status.

A number of the UK’s world class universities are offering banking related postgraduate programmes that meet the requirements to become a qualified member of the Institute. This includes the Chartered Banker MBA offered by Bangor University Business School.

The Institute also offers a professional conversion route for individuals who are Certified Associates of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB)

Professional conversion programmes do require some further study but are shorter than undertaking the full Diploma.

The Chartered Banker Institute works with a number of University Partners, including our Centres of Excellence, and have formally accredited programmes, giving those successfully completing the degrees the option to apply for full Chartered Banker Status or Associate Chartered Banker status. More information can be found here.

The Chartered Banker Institute also recognises that knowledge and skills can be attained from a broad range of learning. The Institute is therefore committed to ensuring that, where appropriate, knowledge and skills which are gained via the certificated programmes of other recognised awarding bodies can be given credit towards its own professional qualification programmes. For more information please visit our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) page.

The Chartered Banker Institute currently offers an IIBF Professional Conversion Programme route to Chartered Banker status for individuals who are Certified Associates of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). More information on this programme can be found on our qualifications pages.

The Chartered Banker Institute also recognises that knowledge and skills can be attained from a broad range of learning. The Institute is therefore committed to ensuring that, where appropriate, knowledge and skills which are gained via the certificated programmes of other recognised awarding bodies can be given credit towards its own professional qualification programmes. For more information please visit our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) page.

Individuals who have attained the CB:PSB Foundation Standard are eligible to become Affiliate members of the Chartered Banker Institute.

The CB:PSB has developed routes to qualified professional membership from the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Standards. For more information please email our Member Engagement Team: [email protected]

To be eligible for Fellowship of the Institute, all candidates should be experienced banking practitioners and must have ten years' experience in banking.

Candidates must hold or attain Chartered Banker status and have made a significant contribution to the work of the Institute and the banking profession. They must also demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continuing professional development and act as a role model and mentor to others in the profession.

Attaining Chartered Banker status requires completion of an advanced professional qualification recognised by the Institute, which includes study of professionalism and ethics, and appropriate coverage of credit and lending. Click here for more information and details of how to apply.

The Institute’s qualifications underpin a range of banking and financial services Apprenticeship programmes, which are also aligned to our membership grades.

If you undertake an Apprenticeship programme that utilises Institute qualifications you will become a Student member and, upon successful completion, may become a qualified member of the Institute.  Our qualifications offer a clear progression route that will enable you to progress to further professional or postgraduate qualifications and, potentially, to attain full Chartered Banker status. 

If you have attained the CB:PSB Foundation Standard or have completed a programme of study accredited by the Institute you can become an Affiliate member.

You do not require a university degree to enrol for any Institute qualification, although other eligibility requirements may apply. Individuals become Student members upon enrolment and, on successful completion attain one of our qualified membership grades.

If you have completed a qualification with another professional body you may be eligible for one of our professional conversion courses or to apply for credit towards a standard qualification through recognition of prior learning (RPL).