Affiliate International Retail Banker

The Affiliate International Retail Banker programme is RBI’s entry-level retail banking qualification and is designed for people who run the bank on a day-to-day basis, from customer service people to sales and marketing people, and from people working in operations to those in credit risk. This programme is designed for busy professionals, and can be taken over the course of ten weeks with a requirement of 3 to 5 hours per week to cover reading, study, tutorials and exams.

Course Details

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Course details: Online lessons supplemented with interactive tutorials.
Hours: 3 – 4 reading per module plus hour-long live tutorial
Price: €799.00

Affiliate International Retail Banker Programme

ENTRY-LEVEL BANKING CERTIFICATION WITH THE AFFILIATE INTERNATIONAL RETAIL BANKER CERTIFICATION

Advance your career with one of the most trusted retail banking qualifications in the industry.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO RETAIL BANKERS NEED TODAY?

In a volatile and fast-transforming world where customers appreciate rapid and accessible digital financial services, retail bankers have to compete with well-funded new competitors while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards in a highly regulated industry.

Retail banking, which deals with large numbers of customers, requires people who have a deep understanding of customer service and a customer-centred culture, and how this is supported by an excellent operational culture. The programme is designed to build your skills and knowledge across these inter-related areas of retail banking. It will help you learn how to run a customer-centred, modern profitable retail bank.

Even banks with large branch networks understand that digital transformation is now a priority to compete with the fintechs, telcos and neobanks that are seizing market and value share from traditional banks. Digital transformation requires not just digital changes but culture transformation.

The Affiliate International Retail Banker certificate is our entry-level banking certification which covers all of the most important aspects of retail banking and provides an excellent foundation from which to build your knowledge and expertise.

HOW CAN THIS CERTIFICATION ADVANCE MY RETAIL BANKING CAREER?

With this retail banking qualification, you will learn how a modern digital customer-centric retail bank operates, in terms of the culture of retail banking, and technological tools of modern banking.

You will be more confident in your dealing with customers and other employees across the retail bank.
You will understand the central place of ethics in building customer trust and long-term relationships with customers.
You will appreciate the importance of a customer-centred culture and the central place of operations and high-quality customer management in retail banking.
You will know how customer data drives excellence in marketing, sales, and customer relationships.
You will have a comprehensive understanding of the risks in retail banking, and how to minimise them.
You'll understand what makes retail banking different from the financial services provided by fintechs and telcos.

RBI IS THE RETAIL SPECIALIST

Retail Banking Institute is part of Lafferty Group, which has been serving the retail banking industry with education and knowledge services since 1981. Our expert tutors have deep experience in retail banking across all five continents.

Unlike other business schools or training businesses, we are completely focused on retail banking. Our curriculum and research draws on our daily interactions with retail banks through our International Retail Banking Councils. This allows bankers from all around the world to learn from international best practice and see how it applies in their own markets.

Programmes aren't just theoretical; they are built from practical real-world case studies of leading retail banks worldwide. Participants don't just "learn about banking" -- they see how the best banks do it today, including digital transformations, fintech partnerships, and customer-centred business models.

Online Exams

There is continuous assessment with an exam for each module.

Successful candidates earn the Affiliate International Retail Banker certificate from Retail Banking Institute.

The Curriculum:

Introduction to Retail Banking

This introduction provides a comprehensive foundation in how retail banks operate and serve customers. Participants explore how deposits fund lending, how net interest margins drive profitability, and why regulation ensures stability. Through innovation case studies, learners understand how banks evolve to meet the needs of consumers, SMEs, and high-net-worth clients.

Ethics and Customer Trust

Ethics and trust form the cornerstone of sustainable banking relationships. This module examines how to create an ethical culture, implement trust-building strategies, and apply practical tools for transparency and integrity. Real-world case studies highlight how ethical leadership helps to build customer trust, customer loyalty, and brand reputation.

Customer Management I

Understanding customers is at the heart of retail banking success. This module teaches how to build a customer-centric organisation through segmentation, personalisation, and building and optimising customer trust. Participants will learn to measure satisfaction and loyalty using tools such as the Net Promoter Scores. Industry case studies provide practical examples.

Marketing for Retail Banks

This module shows how marketing builds powerful brands and customer relationships in financial services. It covers brand development, digital marketing, customer journeys, and the alignment of marketing and sales strategies Drawing on both banking and other industries, case studies demonstrate how a clear brand promise strengthens trust and engagement.

Sales Techniques and Relationship Building

Success depends on how deeply we understand and engage with our customers. This module covers planning, prospecting, rapport-building, storytelling, consultative selling, compliance, and closing techniques. It helps you integrate digital and face-to-face channels to create personalised experiences, drive cross-selling, and build long-term customer relationships.

Profitable Propositions

Creating value for customers begins with well-designed propositions. This module explores how to identify real customer problems, compare competitive offerings, and balance digital optimisation with transformation. Participants analyse why new digital banks often achieve higher satisfaction and how to apply those lessons in traditional settings. It's not just about selling products and services but building long-term relationships with customers.

Payments

The payments module unpacks how money moves across domestic and international systems. It covers card issuing and acquiring, mobile wallets, instant payments, cybersecurity, and the growing role of AI. Case studies bring to life the speed, innovation, and risks shaping today's global payments landscape. We learn why many banks are spinning out their payments business to compete with digital payments fintechs and digital lenders.

Operations & IT

Operations and IT are the backbone of every retail bank's performance. This module explores digital transformation, project management, and managing change and technology risk. Candidates study how culture and leadership drive successful digital transformation and examine real-world examples of operational excellence. You'll understand that it's not about digitising existing processes and that before getting to the AI layer, it's critical to optimise operations.

Risk Management

This module equips participants to identify, measure, and manage the full spectrum of risks facing retail banks. From operational and regulatory to technological, reputational, and ESG risks, it provides tools and frameworks for effective control. Learners develop a holistic understanding of governance, process, and proactive risk culture.

Retail Credit Risk I

Understand how sound credit risk management protects both the bank and its customers. This module covers credit scoring, portfolio management, early warning indicators, and risk mitigation techniques. Through practical tools and case studies, learners gain the confidence to assess, price, and manage credit risk responsibly.

For a detailed look at the material covered in each area, you can click through here to the Course Details.

SUPPORTING SERVICES

Video Tutorials Live
Virtual Instructions
In-house Training

This Affiliate-level retail banking qualification is suitable for aspiring or early-career professionals. On completion of the Affiliate International Retail Banker programme, successful candidates can progress to the second level, which trains candidates in how to manage people and services.

We welcome you to apply today for the Affiliate International Retail Banker programme.