Belowis a brief description of each of the eight modules, along with the specific topics taught in each module. 

• Fintech in the Bank: Explore how technology, regulation, and customer pain points drive fintech innovation across banking, Insurtech, and Wealthtech. Participants will understand how fintech partnerships and business models are redefining competition and collaboration in banking. It covers the essentials of building, launching, and scaling a fintech while maintaining customer-centricity. Learners gain insights into risk, performance, and white-labelling models that drive innovation and growth. Topics: Fintechs & Digital Banks, Targeting Banking Sector Pain Points, Banking Fintech Service Models, Building a Fintech, Important Aspects in Building, Launch and Growth, Performance Management, Risk & Operations, Delivering Customer-Centricity, Types of Fintechs, White Labelling.
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics: Discover how artificial intelligence and data analytics are transforming financial services. This module explains the evolution of AI from neural networks to large and small language models and how these technologies power smarter decision-making. Learners explore key AI concepts, business applications, and the innovations shaping the future of banking. This module helps you separate the hype from the realities of AI in banking, and teaches where AI can be useful and where it should be avoided. Topics: The Evolution of AI, How AI works, From Neural Networks to Small Language Models, Types of AI, Key Concepts in AI, AI and Business Today, and The future of AI.
• Environmental, Social and Governance in Retail Banking: This ESG module explores how environmental, social, and governance principles are transforming retail banking. It covers consumer expectations, key strategic drivers, and global frameworks shaping the industry. Participants will learn about compliance risks and opportunities, leadership in ESG reporting, and how ESG influences products, services, and customer relationships as regulators raise the bar. Topics: Consumer Expectations for ESG Principles, Key Drivers of ESG Strategy, Global ESG Frameworks, Things Banks Need to Avoid, Leadership and Opportunities in ESG Reporting, ESG Compliance: Risks and Benefits, Regulators are Getting Tough, Influence on Products, Services, and CRM.
• Leading a Risk Management Culture: This risk leadership module equips participants to understand and manage risks through a strong framework, risk matrix, and the three lines of defence model. It highlights key roles in risk management and how to embed a proactive risk culture across daily operations. The module also emphasizes ethical conduct, encouraging open communication, and effective crisis management to strengthen organisational resilience. Topics: Understanding and Managing Risks, Risk Management Framework, Risk Matrix, and Three, Lines of Defence, Key Roles in Risk Management Embedding Risk Culture into Daily Operations Ethical Conduct and Encouraging a Speak-up Culture, Effective Crisis Management.
• Building a Modern Customer-Centric Digital Retail Bank: This module explores how to build a modern, customer-centric digital retail bank that meets evolving customer expectations. It examines why transformation is essential, how incumbent banks are responding, and the purpose behind true customer-centricity. Participants will learn practical steps to design and deliver a digital bank that drives engagement, efficiency, and long-term growth. Topics: Ensuring Survival and Growth in a Digital World Why Build a Modern Customer-Centric Digital Retail Bank?, What are Incumbent Banks Doing?, Customer-Centricity Will Achieve Results, The Purpose of a Modern Customer-Centric Digital Retail Bank, Steps to Building a Modern Customer, Centric, Digital Retail Bank.
• Retail Banking Leadership: This Retail Banking Leadership module explores what distinguishes a true leader from a boss in today's fast-changing industry. It examines leadership styles, key qualities, and principles essential for effective management. Participants will learn how digital transformation and multigenerational teams are reshaping leadership approaches and how strong people management drives performance and innovation. Topics: Boss or Leader?, Leadership Styles, The Main Qualities of a Retail Bank Leader, Essential Principles for an Efficient Retail Bank Leader, The Role of People Management in Retail Bank Leadership, How Digital is Affecting the Retail Bank Leader, The Multigenerational Challenge.
• Leadership in Brand Management:This module focuses on how strong leadership drives successful brand management. It explores why consistency is essential, outlining key steps to create and build a brand that resonates with customers. Executives will also learn how digital marketing shapes brand perception and relationships, and how their leadership plays a pivotal role in sustaining brand strength. Topics: Why Consistency is Key, How to Create a Brand, Steps to Build a Brand, The Impact of Digital Marketing on Branding and Customer Relationships, The Senior Executive’s Role in Building a Strong Brand.
• Asset and Liability Management: ALM plays a vital role in balancing a bank's financial stability and profitability. It monitors and manages key risks such as liquidity, funding, interest rate, and foreign currency risk. ALM also oversees transfer pricing and makes strategic decisions to optimise balance sheet performance. ALM is crucial for retail leaders to know how to properly fund retail operations and drive profitability.Topics:Key functions of ALM, Items to be Tracked and Decided by ALM, Liquidity and Funding Risk, Interest Rate Risk, Transfer Price, Foreign Currency Risk.

Assessment and Exam Methodology

The exam is delivered through our Retail Banking Institute learning platform. When delivered as a single final exam, candidates will have 80 minutes to complete the exam. Each candidate will receive 80 multiple choice questions selected at random from a large question bank.   

Passing Score

• Candidates have two attempts to achieve the minimum score of 60%.
• There is a multiple-choice exam at the end of the programme, with the results confidential to the candidates.
• If a candidate fails this twice, there is a standard charge of 100 dollars/85 euros for each subsequent attempt of the entire exam.
• On achieving a final score of 60 or more, the candidates are awarded the certification.
  • A silver certificate is awarded for scores between 60 and 75 per cent,
  • Candidates scoring above 75 per cent receive the golden certificate.
• The certificates are sent electronically to candidates on completion, unless otherwise requested. 

Duration and Study Hours

• Five days. The classroom days will run from 9:30am to 5:30pm. 

Note: All candidates are recommended to read the material before tutorials, whether in-class or virtual. Candidates can normally read the material for each module in between three and four hours, though some more complex modules such as Asset and Liability Management may require more time.

Certification Requirements

Candidates are required to attend each tutorial, and successfully complete the exam, and achieve an overall score of 60 per cent or greater to acquire the certification. Anyone missing the classroom training is requested to get permission from the Institute of Banking Studies to proceed to the next module.