Membership Become chartered in trade and transaction banking

Study flexibly, develop your skills, and build your professional profile while working to become chartered as a trade and transaction banking specialist.


Whatever stage you’re at in your career, studying our professional qualifications is the most flexible way to achieve chartered status. You may even discover that you’re already on the way to achieving chartered status without even knowing.


Our professional qualifications allow you to fit your studies around work and other commitments – as well as to choose a route that suits your career and ambitions. To achieve chartered status, you will need to complete two stages:


  • Stage one: Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Specialists (QTFS)

  • Stage two: Advanced Diploma in Banking & Finance (AdvDipB&F).


Whilst studying for both stages, you will automatically become a Member of LIBF – giving you access to our professional networking events and careers support.


Stage one: Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Specialists (QTFS)

Stage one focuses on trade finance but allows you to tailor it to suit your interests and goals. Choose a minimum of three from our trade finance and transaction banking qualifications, as follows:

  • Level 3 Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF) or Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Payments (CertPAY)

  • Level 4 Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS) or Level 4 Certificate for Specialist in Demand Guarantees (CSDG)

  • Level 4 Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC) or Level 4 Certificate in Supply Chain Finance (CSCF).

Or, if you prefer, you can choose three of the Level 4 certificates.


After stage one you will:

  • be awarded QTFS at no extra cost

  • receive instant online acceptance subject to eligibility

  • receive a bespoke downloadable Diploma

  • have your credentials stored in our online QTFS Registry, in addition to the individual Registries for CDCS, CSDG, CTFC and CSCF.



Stage two: Advanced Diploma in Banking & Finance

The second stage can be completed in 12 months. You will need to complete:

  • Level 6 Financial Risk Management in Banks (FRMB)

  • Level 6 Strategic Management & Innovation in Banking (SMIB)

  • Level 6 Managing Operational Risk and Governance (MOPR).

You will also need to take Professionalism, Conduct and Ethics (5PCE) if not already achieved as part of your stage one studies.


After stage two – provided you have three years’ professional experience – you will be eligible to apply for chartered status.


You will also:

  • be invited to attend our Graduation and Presentation ceremony at the Guildhall in London to receive your diploma

  • receive a printed Advanced Diploma in Banking & Finance certificate display in your workplace

  • be entitled to use the designation AdvDipB&F after your name and in your email signature.

Ready to apply?

If you have completed both stages, and have three years of professional experience, you are ready to apply.





Application form

Do you have an enquiry?

If you’d like to talk to someone about your eligibility for chartered status, please get in touch with us.





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Membership

When studying one of our qualifications, you will automatically become a Member of LIBF. Our membership services will support your studies and give you access to benefits such as our professional networking events and careers support.


Find out more

Contact us about our professional qualifications

If you have any questions about our professional qualifications in finance and banking, please contact our customer services team.


Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 6.00pm GMT.