Express an interest

If you are interested & require further information, we will email you a copy of the programme brochure.

An error has occurred

Data Protection Notice

About this data protection notice

This is a statement of the practices of The Institute of Bankers in Ireland, 1 North Wall Quay, North Dock, Dublin 1 (trading as IOB) (‘the Institute’, ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’) in connection with the capture of personal data on this webform and the steps taken by the Institute to respect your privacy.

The Institute is a Data Controller and is committed to protecting your rights and any personal information which you provide to the Institute will be treated with the highest standards of security and confidentiality, in accordance with Irish and European Data Protection legislation.

The privacy notice explains the following:
  • What information do we collect about you?
  • The purpose for collecting your personal data
  • The legal bases for collecting your personal data
  • Are you required to provide the information?
  • How we store and secure personal data?
  • Details of third parties with whom we share personal data
  • What are your rights?
What information do we collect about you?

The data we collect from you will be used by the Institute only in accordance with the purposes outlined in this privacy notice. We will collect your data via webform on www.iob.ie.

The data collected in this webform will be shared with the following areas of the Institute:

  • Programme Management Department
  • Marketing Department
  • Lifelong Learning Department
The purpose for collecting your data

The data we collect about you will be used for:

  • providing information on the programme(s) for which you have completed an expression of interest webform;
  • notifying you of promotional events related to this designation(s) or programme(s) e.g. Programme Taster Lectures, IOB Open Evening; and
  • advising you of upcoming application and registration closing dates for this designation(s) or programme(s)
The legal basis for collecting your data

For the purposes outlined in this privacy notice your personal data will be processed on the basis of Explicit Consent.

By submitting this webform, you confirm that you are providing your informed consent to the processing of your data as outlined here.

Are you required to provide the information?

We require you to complete the mandatory fields identified in this webform for the purposes outlined above. If you do not provide us with the information required in these fields, we may be unable to process this Expression of Interest form.

How we store and secure your data

Any data we collect from you will be stored confidentially and securely. The Institute is committed to ensuring all accesses to, uses of, and processing of Institute data is performed in a secure manner.

In keeping with the data protection principles, we will only store your data for as long as is necessary to provide our services to you and for such a period of time after this as is necessary to comply with our obligations under applicable law and, if relevant, to deal with any claim or dispute that may arise in connection with our relationship with you.

For the purposes described here we will store your data for one calendar year from the date you submit the webform. Before the end of this calendar year, we may contact you to ask if you wish to re-confirm your consent to the storing and processing of your data for the purposes outlined above.

When we store your personal data on our systems the data will be stored on the Institute’s secure I.T. platforms within the EEA which are also subject to European data protection requirements.

Details of third parties with whom we share personal data

The Institute will share your data with third parties where necessary for purposes of the processing outlined here.

We will share your information with our service providers (e.g. printers, I.T. support, auditors, legal advisors, and other professional advisors).

We may also disclose your information where required by law to do so.

Your information will not be shared with any other third parties.

When we share your data with the third parties outlined here the Institute will ensure that the data is only processed according to our specific instructions and that the same standards of confidentiality and security are maintained. Once the processing of the data is complete any third parties with whom data was shared will be required to return the data to the Institute save where they are required to retain it by law.

What are your rights?

You have the following rights, in certain circumstances and subject to applicable exemptions:

  • You are entitled to ask for a copy of the personal data, which IOB holds about you.
  • The right to have any inaccuracies in your personal data amended.
  • The right to object to the processing of your personal data.
  • The right to have the personal data that we hold about you erased.
  • The right to restrict the processing of your personal data.
  • The right to receive your personal data, which you provided to us, in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format or to require us to transmit that data to another controller.
  • You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
Contact

If you have any queries relating to the processing of your personal data for the purposes outlined above or you wish to make a request in relation to your rights, you can contact the Institute’s Data Protection Officer using the contact details below.

If you are unhappy with the way in which your personal data has been processed, you may in the first instance contact the Institute’s Data Protection Officer using the contact details below.

IOB has a Data Protection Officer who can be contacted through [email protected] or by writing to:

The Data Protection Officer, IOB, IFSC, 1 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1.

If you remain dissatisfied then you have the right to apply directly to the Data Protection Commission for a decision. The Data Protection Commission can be contacted at:

Data Protection Commission
Canal House
Station Road
Portarlington
R32 AP23 Co. Laois
www.dataprotection.ie

The Institute of Bankers in Ireland (a company limited by guarantee) trading as IOB

Registered Number: 197171
Registered Charitable Organisation
Charity Registration Number: 20026950
CHY Number: 10530

P: +353 (0)1 6116500
F: +353 (0)1 6116565
E: [email protected]

Privacy Statement
Terms and conditions

Before you continue...

As you are not registered with us, you will need to upload proof you can enrol to this programme.

I know, let’s sign upI have an account, let me sign in first
Degree

Bachelor of Financial Services (BFS)

Apply now to commence studies in February 2024
Apply now
Express an interest
  • Duration
  • 3 to 4 years
  • Programme
  • 10 modules
  • Study
  • Part-time, online
  • Fees
  • From €350 p/module
  • Level
  • NFQ 8, 180 ECTS
  • At a glance

    The Bachelor of Financial Services (BFS) Degree programme addresses the educational needs of those who wish to develop management and senior management careers in financial services. The BFS provides those who work in banking with an ideal opportunity to acquire a level 8 University degree, which is recognised and supported by the financial services industry.

    Awarding Body

    University College Dublin

    While providing a broad business foundation, this programme also examines contemporary issues of importance to the financial services industry. A key feature of this programme is that it merges academic knowledge with relevant professional skills and has been developed by both industry and academic subject leaders. Different modules involve various delivery approaches from a combination of eLearning and workshops to full days of lectures.

    Who is this programme for?

    The BFS is designed with those working full-time in mind, and is flexible so that candidates can continue to pursue their career goals while studying.

    How will you benefit

    Upon successful completion of the BFS degree graduates are expected to be able to;

    • Broaden and deepen their technical understanding of the main activities in banking and associated risks

    • Develop a highly marketable and transferable skill set, including decision-making, problem-solving, communication and analytic skills

    • Enhance their critical awareness and understanding of the contemporary issues in financial services

    • Apply concepts and techniques to evaluate complex business problems to aid decision-making

    • Develop and critically evaluate strategy and the sustainability of business models in banking and financial services

    • Integrate learning into professional practice to take responsibility for personal and professional development.

    Continuous Professional Development

    If you hold an IOB designation or a designation managed by IOB, CPD hours may be awarded on successful completion of this programme.

    Delivery

    Online.

    Assessment

    Combination of continuous assessment and written exams.

    Curriculum

    View the Programme Curruiculum

    Award

    When you successfully complete this programme, you will be awarded Bachelor of Financial Services from UCD.

    This is a level 8 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications.

    Fees

    Stage 1

    • From €350 per module

    Stage 2

    • From €520 per module

    Stage 3

    • From €625 per module

    *Core textbooks are not included in your registration fee and must be purchased separately. The Programme Manager will provide details of the required core textbooks before each module commences.

    Next intake

    Spring Trimester

    Closing date

    26 January 2024

    Contact

    For more information please contact [email protected]

    Modules and learning outcomes


    Stage 1: Complete 6 core modules below, plus 5/6 of the optional modules below (ensuring you attain 30 ECTS credits).

    Core:

    QFA Regulation

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Identify the different forms of Regulation relating to financial service providers.

    Identify the main regulatory bodies in Ireland and their functions.

    Discuss the range of regulatory rules that apply to intermediaries and/or product providers in their dealings with clients.

    Describe the impact of legislation relating to consumer protection, money laundering, distance marketing, data protection & privacy, Investor compensation, unfair terms in consumer contracts and tax evasion.

    Explain the functions and powers of the Financial Services Ombudsman and the Pension Ombudsman.

    Specific areas covered:

    Why financial service providers are regulated

    Authorisation

    Minimum Competency Code

    Consumer Protection Code

    MiFID

    Data protection

    Anti-money laundering.

    QFA Loans

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Describe the personal financial need for a loan, and the different ways in which such a need can be met by different types of loans and consumer credit on offer.

    Explain the features, benefits, limitations, security requirements and taxation treatment of consumer loans and credit arrangements, and their associated insurances.

    Discuss and demonstrate the impact of regulation on the provision of housing loans and different forms of consumer credit.

    Detail the steps and documentation involved in obtaining a housing loan and evaluate and recommend an appropriate housing loan option from those on offer.

    Identify the issues and processes involved in debt restructuring and equity release and describe the process and protocols to be adopted for the recovery of loan arrears.

    Specific areas covered:

    Types of housing loans

    Central bank requirements

    Regulation

    Loan application

    Housing loan insurances

    Arrears

    Consumer credit.

    QFA Investment

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Discuss the operation of the financial services markets and the impact of government economic and monetary policy on Investments.

    Describe the features, benefits, limitations and risks associated with the different classes of investment assets available within the industry.

    Identify and discuss the basic investment principles.

    Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of investments required to effectively advise clients.

    Specific areas covered:

    Markets

    Asset classes

    Shares

    Bonds

    Deposits

    Collective investment schemes

    Unit-linked savings

    Regulation.

    QFA Pensions

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Explain the need for retirement provision.

    Describe the taxation, legislation and regulatory framework for pensions.

    Identify the features, benefits and risks of pension product options available to clients.

    Display the skills and competencies required to effectively advise clients in all areas of Pensions.

    Specific areas covered:

    State pensions

    Personal pension plans

    Employer pension schemes

    AVCs

    ARFs

    Annuities

    Quantifying pension needs

    Investment

    Regulatory bodies.

    QFA Life Assurance

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Describe the main life assurance needs of the consumer at all life stages.

    Explain the main features, benefits, limitations, and risks of different types of life protection policies.

    Detail the issues involved in starting a policy and in paying out benefits.

    Identify the constituents in a valid will and know the impact of the Succession Act.

    Discuss financial mathematics principles that underpin personal life assurance and pension products and perform related calculations.

    Specific areas covered:

    Why protection is needed

    Term assurances

    Income protection

    Serious illness

    Business insurances

    Estate planning

    Unit-linked savings and bonds

    Quantifying protection needs

    Regulation.

    QFA Financial Planning

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Analyse and appraise a clients’ financial needs and attitude to risk.

    Critically evaluate different financial products offerings and assess their relevance in structuring a financial portfolio that fulfils your clients’ needs.

    Make an investment recommendation for a client on the basis of having assessed their needs, attitude to risk and match these against product offerings.

    Prepare a detailed client financial review with regard to their life stage, personal circumstances, needs and attitude to risk.

    Specific areas covered:

    Providing advice to consumers

    Consumer reviews

    Suitability statements

    Recap on retail financial products

    Taxation issues.

    Optional: (all 5 ECTS)

    Stock Exchange Regulatory Environment

    (NFQ level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Outline the rules of the Irish Stock Exchange.

    Describe the main pieces of legislation that constitute the regulatory environment in which a stock broking firm operates in, e.g. Insider Dealing, Prospectus Directive, MiFID etc. Explain the role and functions of statutory bodies and persons in the regulatory environment, e.g. Financial Regulator, ODCE etc. Describe in general terms the various instruments traded and settled on the Irish Stock Exchange.

    Stock Exchange Securities and Markets

    (NFQ level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Describe the features and characteristics of various instruments traded on exchanges, e.g. equities, bonds, money market and derivative instruments.

    Explain the issuance process, settlement process and trade reporting requirements employed for the main categories of instruments traded on an exchange.

    Outline the process to assess a client’s needs from both a private client and institutional client perspective.

    Describe the operation and compute simple calculations for the following taxation regimes in Ireland; Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Capital Acquisition Tax and Corporation Tax.

    Explain the general accounting principles and the purpose of the primary statements in Financial Reporting.

    Calculate the main accounting ratios and explain their significance.

    PDC 1 - Compliance and the Regulatory Structure

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Compliance is an established function in financial services organisations and is recognised by regulators as an essential part of the control infrastructure. This module looks at the role of the Compliance function in financial services. It presents the role of the Central Bank of Ireland and describes how financial services are regulated both in Ireland and internationally. It also focuses on ethics and fiduciary relationships and outlines the legal environment that applies to financial services.

    PDC 2 - Conduct of Business Rules

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    This module considers the significant increase in the complexity and volume of the regulation underpinning compliance procedures. It also explores consumer protection legislation such as the Consumer Credit Act, the Consumer Protection Code, along with the Markets in Financial Markets Directive (MiFID). The module considers Data Protection regulations and the impact of these on financial services organisations. It also considers Financial Crime including Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing and the Compliance professional’s role in these areas. The module aims to assist students in developing a best-practice approach to counteracting, hindering and ultimately safeguarding individuals and corporations from fraud in the financial system

    PDC 3 Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Compliance

    (NFQ level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Assess the authorisation, supervision and prudential requirements for various financial entities Describe the legal environment which applies to financial services and outline the key principles of Company, Contract, Competition and Securities Law. Explain the nature of fiduciary relationships, and evaluate their significance in a regulatory environment

    PDC 4 Compliance Management

    (NFQ level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Appraise the concepts behind compliance practice, planning and monitoring and evaluate the broadening role of compliance and the compliance officer.

    Analyse the importance of compliance reporting and devise a regulatory relations policy in relation to inspections, themed visits and routine relations.

    Critically evaluate the importance of Ethics and Reputation in the compliance function.

    Assess the system of controls, assurance and governance in an organisation and analyse the relationship between these and compliance.

    Optional: (all 5 ECTS except Responsible and Sustainable Finance)

    Digital Risk Management (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Over the course of the module you’ll learn how to identify risk, how to apply risk  frameworks and how to mitigate digital risk. This practical module will be immediately relevant to your role as you develop a deeper understanding of trends in RiskTech, RegTech and emerging threats through analysis of real-world case studies.  The topics include:

    • Introduction to Digital Risk Management and scope and types of digital risk

    • Cyber Risk

    • Risk FrameworksM

    • Managing Digital Risk

    • RegTech

    • The Regulatory Environment

    • Operational Resilience

    Consumer Protection Risk, Culture and Ethical Behaviours

    (NFQ level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Consumer Protection Risk Assessment and Conduct Risk

    Consumer Protection Risk Management Frameworks (CPRMF). Conduct risk and conduct risk standards. Selling financial products appropriately - including outcomes. Understanding of customer experience. Drivers and causes of conduct risk. Constituents of conduct risk including behavioural economics. Relationship with the overall banking risk framework. Conduct risk appetite statements. Conduct risk policies and common metrics. Conduct risk impacts on customers, on employees, the financial institution and on markets.

    Culture and Behaviour

    Understanding the importance of culture in ensuring good customer outcomes. Indicators of an effective risk culture. Regulator expectations and reports. Roadmap for achieving desired culture. Governance arrangements around the design, monitoring, and analysis of culture MI. How culture can be assessed in organisations/culture audits. Understanding the role of group dynamics. Diversity, inclusion and its impact on decision making. Understanding the impact of biases when making compliance decisions. Understanding and embedding ‘Consumer Focus’ behaviour. Understanding the role of mind-set and sense-making on behaviours and how this is being applied in supervision of culture and behaviours. CPRA and Behavioural Economics.

    Ethics

    Foundational concepts of ethics, values and integrity. What it means to be ethical in financial services and how the right ethical climate supports good decision-making. What obligations does the financial services industry have to customers? What is the right thing to do?. What happens when things go wrong. How to effectively challenge and escalate.

    Digital Financial Services

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Describe the information society and explain the impact of digital technologies for economies, business, management and financial services in the medium and long term

    Outline the Information Technology elements, human inputs and processes that go into creating digital services and products

    Describe online banking from both the bank and customer perspective

    Trace how the digitisation of payments has evolved from credit and debit cards to instant online payments, digital wallets and of the emerging business landscape within the digital financial services sector

    Assess technologies, products and services in early stage development that may impact on the digital financial sector

    Introduction to Data Analytics for Financial Services

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Explain how Data Analysis and Business Intelligence are being used to modernize and drive value in financial services

    Explain the conceptual foundations of Business Intelligence and describe the project frameworks for successful delivery

    Explain how data is managed, governed and controlled at enterprise scale and how a data analyst carries out data management Apply the fundamental techniques and tools for data analysis Apply the practical skills to develop Business Intelligence report and explain how BI solutions scale to enterprise level

    Applied Data Analytics

    (NFQ Level 7, 5 ECTS)

    Outline how Advanced Analytics is being used to modernize and drive value in financial services. Explain how basic descriptive statistics bring extra rigour and depth to data analysis.

    Draw conclusions from data using the basic techniques of inferential statistics. Use the powerful business technique of A/B testing to determine best outcomes. Explain how predictive modelling techniques are applied to solving real world problems Outline the wider set of analytical tools and how to choose the appropriate tool to solve your business problem.

    Responsible and Sustainable Finance

    (NFQ level 7, 10 ECTS)

    • Introduction to sustainable finance

    • Response to planetary change

    • Catalyst for change and eu regulatory initiatives

    • Principles of responsible banking | IFS Stream – Principles of Responsible Investment

    • Sustainable banking | IFS Stream – Sustainable Funds

    • Non-financial disclosures, climate and sustainable reporting

    • Risk management

    • Green, social and sustainable bonds

    • Implementing a culture of sustainability

    • The future path


    Stage 2: Complete the 6 core modules outlined below.

    Principles and Practices of Credit Risk Management

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    Key categories of risks to which banks are exposed with focus on credit risk.

    Basel principles for the management of credit risk.

    Bank risk appetite frameworks.

    Components of the credit risk management framework.

    Credit portfolio management and credit concentration risk.

    Credit risk appetite statements.

    Credit culture.

    The end to end credit process.

    Overview of the canons of lending.

    Credit application process.

    Bank capital.

    Risk weighted assets.

    Basel II & Basel III, Basel IV.

    Minimum Regulatory Requirements.

    Introduction to credit models.

    Impairment provisioning.

    Stress testing.

    Impairments and capital.

    Pricing for risk.

    Key Lessons from Irish banking crises, Honohan Report, Regling & Watson, Nyberg.

    Customer Experience Management

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    On completion of this module, students will be expected to be able to: Explain what is meant by CEM. Explain the key stages in the CRM process. Demonstrate an understanding of the customer relationship cycle and the implications for financial institutions. Demonstrate an understanding of what customers value in their relationship with their financial institution. Discuss the ethical conduct underpinning interactions with customers. Assess the implications of regulation on CEM practices.

    Business Economics

    This module provides students with a framework that can be used to analyse contemporary business economic issues. As a standalone economics module, the focus is on developing awareness of economic issues and their linkages to financial markets. On completion of this module, students will have:

    • Analyse a country’s macroeconomic performance using a wide range of macroeconomic data and statistics

    • Evaluate current fiscal and monetary policies in Ireland and major international trading partners elsewhere

    • Demonstrate the application of key concepts in both microeconomics and macroeconomics

    • Analyse why different market structures create differing levels of competition and business performance

    • Evaluate how businesses can leverage profitable opportunities to gain greater control over its markets and strategic rivals

    Finance and Investment Decisions

    On successful completion of this module candidates should be able to:

    • Apply Financial statement analysis and financial ratios, and their use in analysing the performance and well being of a company.

    • Value a bond and other financial assets. 

    • Apply the use of investment appraisal methods in different business decisions, including expanding the business, and international investment. 

    • Understand how derivatives including forwards, futures, and options are used for investment purposes.

    • Critically understand how the risk and return of assets and how portfolios and asset pricing models such as the CAPM can aid investments.

    • Be knowledgeable on the details for difference sources of long term and short-term financing that a firm can use. 

    • Understand whether markets are efficient and implications for market users.

    Business Management

    This module aims are to provide you with insights on management theory, thinking and practice to support the application of the knowledge and tools to manage a business or function more effectively. On successful completion of this module candidates should be able to:

    • Apply tools for analysing the business environment and assess strategic alternatives

    • Assess and recommend management approaches for effective business management.

    Operational Risk Management Practices

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    Operational risk defined. The importance of operational risk and the Probability Risk and Impact SysteM (PRISM). The differences between operational risk and other types of risk. Recent failures in operational risk. Operational risk basics. Three lines of defence. Operational risk taxonomies. Operational risk management frameworks. Risk capacity. Risk appetite statements. Risk policies. Risk pricing and capital. Risk information, Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) reporting and KRI framework. Risk assessment. Risk management and action plans. Risk modelling. Insurance mitigation.

    The practical workshop areas will include inter alia: Financial crime prevention. Anti–Money Laundering/Countering of Financing of Terrorism. Know Your Customer, Irish and UK. Anti- Corruption laws. External and internal fraud. Information security, IT resilience, cybercrime. Outsourcing. Business continuity planning. Data quality and other practical areas.


    Stage 3: Complete the 6 core modules outlined below.

    Principles and Practice of Banking

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    On completion of this module, students will be expected to be able to: 

    • Apply their understanding of theories and core principles underpinning banking in a real-world context

    • Identify the range of risk banks are exposed to and be able to evaluate and implement risk-mitigation strategies

    • Critically evaluate the transmission of banking risks and the wider societal implications

    • Critically reflect upon their professional practice and their role and contribution within the banking profession.

    SME Credit Risk Assessment

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    On completion of this module, students will be expected to be able to: Describe and explain the main features, characteristics of SMEs and various legal trading entities available to SMEs in Ireland and the features of the main sectors in which SMEs operate. Describe and discuss the features and characteristics of the main types of security for SME lending. Use a framework for SME credit analysis (adhering to the canons of lending to undertake a complete credit assessment of an SME credit proposal, including detailed financial analysis of financial accounts including sensitivity analysis, repayment capacity, security analysis, and an analysis of the business’ competitive position, its management and its core competences to form a judgement of whether to approve, defer or decline the request. Prepare and interpret Cash Flow Statements. Explain working capital management and its importance to an enterprise’s profitability and liquidity. Communicate clearly to pertinent stakeholders (internal and external) the bank’s credit policy and requirements for SME’s.

    Digital Product Management in Financial Services (10 ECTS)

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

    Demonstrate an appreciation of the ways in which digital product management drives digital transformation in financial services

    Appreciate the roles and responsibilities of digital product managers and their teams

    Understand the importance of digital products and services in financial services competitiveness, strategy and risk

    Understand key trends associated with the ways that data and intelligence drive financial services Product and Service Development

    Critically reflect upon your own professional role and contribution to financial organisations in the context of the application of digital technologies and systems.

    SME Financing and Distressed Credit Analysis

    (NFQ Level 8, 10 ECTS)

    • Traditional banking facilities for SME borrowers

    • Alternative sources of finance for SMEs

    • Start-up business lending

    • Agricultural lending

    • Property lending

    • Conducting the borrower loan interview

    • Writing the credit application

    • Negotiating final terms and conditions

    • Legal documentation and drawdown

    • Procedures for deciding on impairment provisions

    • Monitoring and control framework

    • Identifying and reviewing a potentially distressed customer

    • Negotiating with customers in difficulty

    • Managing arrears and restructuring

    • Cancelling facilities, collections and recoveries

    • Loan restructuring options

    • Importance of the facility letter in impairment cases

    • Legal remedies for recovery.

    Compliance for sustainable finance: building the foundation (10 ECTS)

    At the end of this module, you will understand:

    • What is sustainability and what does it mean for the economy, business and the financial sector;

    • ESG origins and evolution - you will gain knowledge of macro level sustainability issues for the economy, business and the financial sector. Examine the relevance of corporate purpose and how compliance, culture and ethics can align to support the sustainability strategy within a financial services organisation;

    • Sustainable Finance - what and why? The evolution of sustainable finance and ESG. Review the key stakeholder groups driving the sustainable finance agenda globally, why they are doing so and what specifically they are doing;

    • Climate change and climate-related financial risk and opportunity;

    • Promoting a culture of compliance; are individual accountability regimes and controlled functions aligned with supporting the sustainability strategy in financial services?;

    • Ethics, compliance and corporate culture in financial services;

    • Corporate purpose (in the context of financial services firms) and corporate sustainability strategy;

    • Primer on financial services regulatory and supervisory landscape (Ireland, EU, UK & US also international influences e.g. IOSCO, FSB, NGFS);

    • Sustainable Finance in action across financial sectors (i.e. what does ESG mean at the level of a bank, an asset manager, insurance firm, an investment fund, pension etc).

    Professional designation

    Members who complete the relevant modules, and who commit to completing Continuing Professional Development hours, will be entitled to use the designation Professional Banker.

    Key Dates

    Level 7 and 8 Key Dates 2023/24

    Examination schedule 2023/2024


    Next intake

    Spring Trimester

    Closing date

    26 January 2024

    Entry Requirements

    The minimum entry requirements to Stage 1 are as follows:

    • Five passes in the Leaving Certificate, including English and Mathematics

    • Five O Level or GCSE passes, including English Language and Mathematics

    • IOB will also consider applications to Stage 1 on a mature candidate basis from applicants who are 23 years of age before the date of their application for admission to the programme.

    Progression to Stage 2 requires that students have:

    • Completed Stage 1

    or

    • Completed the University Diploma in Financial Services

    or

    • Completed the Joint Financial Services Diploma (subject to matriculation, which involves an NUI fee of €150)

    or

    • Applicants with an ordinary degree in business (or equivalent) will be considered for direct entry to Stage 2.


    Professional Body Membership

    You must be a current member of IOB, or become a member, to undertake this programme.


    Please note, the Professional Banker designation is a fundamental acquirement for those seeking to develop and advance a career in banking, including management roles.

    Make the most of IOB Learn

    Your personalised learning platform

    IOB members gain access to IOB Learn with exclusive resources, content and the ability to log CPD hours on the go.

    Join IOB today