How to Join

The normal route to Membership and Chartered Banker status is to pass the qualifying exams. We offer various qualifications, from the Professional Banker Certificate to Chartered Banker. And there’s a range of accredited regulatory qualifications, all of which meet the appropriate FSA requirements.

We offer five grades of membership depending on the level of your qualification:

Affiliate:
With no qualifications required, Affiliate membership is ideal for those who want to take part in the Institute’s activities without studying for exams. Affiliate status also applies to those who complete the Mortgage Advice and Practice Certificate and wish to use the Professional Mortgage Adviser (PMA) designation.

Student:
Anyone studying for a professional qualification at Certificate or Chartered Banker level.

Associate:
Associate status is for those who have passed the Associateship Programme and can use the letters ACIBS. The Associateship Programme has now been replaced by the Chartered Banker programme but current Associates can still hold the ACIBS designation.

Member:
For those who, previously, passed the Members Course and, now, the Chartered Banker programme. Members are entitled to use the letters MCIBS and, subject to completion of CPD requirements, can use the title Chartered Banker.

Fellow:
For those who have made an outstanding contribution to the banking industry or the CIOBS and have been nominated by two other Fellows. This grade of membership carries the designation of FCIBS.