The Equalified Banking Strategist (EBS) is Equalifi’s advanced professional designation in banking. It recognises a comprehensive understanding of how banks are regulated, run and grown, and the ability to apply that understanding to strategy, business performance, credit, risk and customer outcomes.
Banking is changing faster than at any time in its history. Regulation is tightening around capital, asset quality, conduct and financial crime, digital public infrastructure has transformed payments and lending, and banks now compete with NBFCs, fintechs and big tech for customers. The EBS prepares professionals to lead in this environment, with the breadth to see the whole bank and the depth to make sound decisions within it.
The EBS curriculum covers banking fundamentals, central banking and monetary policy, banking regulation and supervision, the Basel framework and capital management, bank business models and strategy, bank financial statements and performance analysis, deposits and liability management, retail banking and lending, MSME, agriculture and priority sector lending, corporate and commercial banking, trade finance and transaction banking, credit risk management and asset quality, treasury, liquidity and asset liability management, operational risk, compliance and internal controls, KYC, AML and financial crime, wealth management and third-party products, digital banking and fintech, customer experience and consumer protection, financial inclusion, bank governance and leadership, ethics, and sustainable banking and emerging trends.
The EBS assesses practical judgement, not only recall. The designation is earned in three levels: an MCQ examination, a project and a viva. Together, these test a candidate’s ability to analyse a bank’s performance and risks, develop a strategic plan, and defend their recommendations before a senior management or board committee.
Two awards, one pathway
| Award | Levels required | What it recognises |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in Banking | Level 1: MCQ Examination | Structured knowledge of banking regulation, products, credit, risk, operations and digital banking |
| Equalified Banking Strategist (EBS) | Levels 1, 2 and 3: MCQ Examination, Project and Viva | The ability to apply that knowledge to a real banking situation, with sound professional and ethical judgement |
Candidates may stop after Level 1 and hold the Certificate in Banking, or continue to Levels 2 and 3 to earn the EBS designation, which is renewed every three years.
Who should take the EBS?
Bankers across retail, corporate, MSME, rural, treasury, operations, risk, compliance and digital banking; branch and regional heads; credit and relationship managers; professionals in NBFCs, co-operative banks, small finance banks and payments banks; fintech professionals working with banks; consultants, auditors and analysts covering the banking sector; and graduates seeking a career in banking.
Important
The Certificate in Banking and the EBS designation are educational qualifications awarded by Equalifi. They do not replace any certification that a bank or regulator may require for specific roles.
Exam details
The EBS is assessed in three levels, taken in order.
Level 1: MCQ examination
The Level 1 examination is the Certificate in Banking examination. It assesses understanding of the full EBS curriculum, with knowledge, application and case-based questions. Passing Level 1 earns the Certificate in Banking.
Equalifi offers the Level 1 examination through an external, remote-proctored platform. Once registration and payment are confirmed, candidates receive an exam link by email. Candidates may schedule and take the exam within one year of registration, from any location, subject to the platform’s requirements.
Candidates need a reliable internet connection and a computer with a working camera. Please read the technical and exam-day instructions before starting the exam.
Level 2: Project
Candidates who pass Level 1 move on to the project, based on a banking case set by Equalifi, such as a bank, a business line or a region. Candidates prepare a strategy report covering:
- an analysis of the bank’s financial performance, asset quality, capital and liquidity, benchmarked against peers,
- an assessment of its market position, customers, competition and regulatory environment,
- a strategic plan for the bank or a chosen business line, covering growth, products, distribution and digital,
- an assessment of the credit, operational, compliance and conduct risks of the plan, with controls, and
- financial projections, key performance indicators and an implementation road map.
Equalifi will share the project brief, the submission guidelines and the evaluation criteria.
Level 3: Viva
Candidates who pass the project are invited to a viva with an Equalifi assessment panel, conducted as a mock senior management or board committee. Candidates present their strategy, defend their analysis and recommendations under questioning, and respond to a professional and ethical scenario typical of banking. Candidates who pass the viva are awarded the EBS designation.
Assessment structure
| Level | Assessment | Award on completion | Format | Duration | No. of Questions | Passing Criteria | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MCQ Examination | Certificate in Banking | Online, remote-proctored | 2 hours | 100 | 60% | 20% per incorrect answer |
| 2 | Project | — | Written submission (bank strategy report) | As per project brief | — | As per evaluation criteria | — |
| 3 | Viva | Equalified Banking Strategist (EBS) | Oral assessment as a mock senior management or board committee (online or in person) | As scheduled | — | As per evaluation criteria | — |
Validity and renewal
The Certificate in Banking does not expire. The EBS designation is valid for three years from the date of award and is renewed by completing continuing education.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | 45 hours every three years, with at least 10 hours in each year |
| Ethics | 3 hours of Equalifi Ethics and Professional Conduct, included in the 45 hours |
| Core subject | At least 21 hours in banking, regulation, credit and risk management |
| Annual | Declaration of adherence to the Equalifi Code of Professional Conduct, and the annual renewal fee |
Ways to earn hours: Equalifi summits, masterclasses, executive education and webinars (credited automatically); courses and events from recognised institutions; speaking, writing, teaching and serving on Equalifi assessment panels; reading professional research; and passing further Equalifi Certificate exams.
Grace period and reinstatement: If the hours are not complete by the end of the cycle, a 90-day grace period applies. After this, the designation lapses and may not be used. Lapsed holders can reinstate within two years by completing the missing hours plus 15 additional hours; after two years, reinstatement requires a fresh viva.
Candidate audit
Equalifi randomly audits a percentage of applications on a regular basis. Candidates are responsible for providing the requested supporting documentation to verify the education and professional background stated in their registration form. Equalifi does not contact employers or educational institutions to obtain verification documents on a candidate’s behalf.
Candidates selected for audit will be notified by email and will have 10 business days to respond. They must meet the audit requirements before receiving the Certificate in Banking or the EBS designation.
Failure to comply with the audit, falsification or misrepresentation of information, plagiarism in the project, or any unprofessional conduct will result in denial or cancellation of the registration and/or revocation of the certificate or designation, and all fees will be forfeited. A candidate who does not comply with an audit will also be subject to audit when reapplying in future.
Fee details
| Route | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certificate in Banking (Level 1) | INR 3,540 |
| Equalified Banking Strategist (Levels 1, 2 and 3) | INR 17,700 |
Fees are inclusive of GST. The Level 1 examination fee applies to each attempt.
Access Pass benefits
Fee waiver: Equalifi Chartered, Professional and Virtual Pass holders receive a 50% waiver on the exam fee.
Learn more about the Equalifi Access Pass.
Exam preparation: Access Pass holders receive access to exam preparatory material on the Equalifi portal. For stronger exam readiness, candidates are also encouraged to attend Equalifi’s executive education programmes and masterclasses on banking, credit and risk management. Access Pass holders receive a 10% to 50% fee waiver based on their pass category.