Enhancing and sustaining confidence and trust in banks and bankers is in the best interest of customers, colleagues and society as a whole. Our banking industry must be a strong and sustainable banking profession, and bankers must be valued as trusted professionals. The Chartered Banker Institute plays a leading role in building the banking profession in the UK, and internationally, and sets the professional standards we believe all bankers should aspire to, and our customers expect. 

The Institute helps bankers and banks embed a culture of ethical and professional standards. The Institute expects its members to uphold these standards. If members fail to live up to the standards expected of them, the Institute may investigate complaints, take disciplinary action and, where appropriate, impose sanctions. The Disciplinary Regulations have been updated in March 2026, to ensure the process is both fair and robust. They can be accessed below.

View our Disciplinary Regulations 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Disciplinary Regulations affect me?

All members of the Chartered Banker Institute (including Student and Affiliate members) are expected to display the professional values, attitudes and behaviours set out in the Institute’s Code of Professional Conduct. If members fail to live up to the standards expected of them, the Institute may take disciplinary action. Our Disciplinary Regulations, therefore apply to all members.

When can the Institute take Disciplinary action?

The Institute can take action when it thinks there has been a Disciplinary Breach. The Institute can take disciplinary action against any member who:

• has criminal sanctions imposed on them;

• has sanctions imposed on them by a regulator or other competent body;

• is lawfully dismissed by the member’s employer for misconduct;

• breaches, or does not comply with the Institute’s CPD requirements;

• acts in breach of the Institute’s course rules and regulations including plagiarism and/or collusion, breaching exam conditions and providing false information about existing qualifications;

• brings the Institute into disrepute;

• breaches the Code of Professional Conduct

What sanctions can be imposed on a member for a Disciplinary Breach?

Sanctions can be imposed if the member admits the Disciplinary Breach or the processes within the Disciplinary Regulations find there has been a Disciplinary Breach. The range of potential sanctions can be found within the Disciplinary Regulations: Disciplinary Regulations & Process V2 March 2026

The Institute may inform employers of any sanctions imposed and may publish any sanctions on the Chartered Banker Institute's website and in the Chartered Banker magazine. In addition to any action taken by the Institute, the member’s employer may instigate their own action and impose their own penalties.

 

What happens when the Institute thinks a Disciplinary Breach has taken place?

Under the Disciplinary Regulations an Investigating Officer is appointed to investigate any alleged Disciplinary Breaches:

If the Investigating Officer decides the Institute has no jurisdiction to deal with the alleged Disciplinary Breach no further action will be taken.

If the Investigating Officer decides there is insufficient evidence to support an allegation that a Disciplinary Breach has taken place no further action will be taken.

If the Investigating Officer decides there is sufficient evidence to support an allegation that a Disciplinary breach may have taken place they will then decide whether the alleged Disciplinary Breach is a major or minor breach. The Disciplinary Regulations Disciplinary Regulations & Process V2 March 2026 gives details as to how both major and minor breaches may be managed.

How long do I have to complete the qualification?

Registration is valid for 12 months. Learners are expected to sit and pass the examination within that time.

What happens if my case is to be heard by one of the Institute’s Disciplinary Panels?

The Disciplinary Regulations Disciplinary Regulations & Process V2 March 2026 provide details around all the types of Institute Disciplinary Panels and how they operate

Will there be any costs involved for the member?

If the processes through the Disciplinary Regulations finds there has been a breach, the Institute reserves the right to make a financial charge to the member for any expenses &/or fees incurred by them as a result of the Disciplinary case.