Become a Fellow

Become a Fellow (FCBI)

Fellowship (FCBI) is the highest grade of membership offered by the Chartered Banker Institute. It recognises senior banking professionals who have made a meaningful contribution to the profession and who actively support the Institute’s mission to promote ethical and responsible banking.

Becoming a Fellow signals your leadership, integrity, and commitment to professionalism in banking.

For full information on membership pricing please see our membership grades.

Why Become a Fellow?

Use the FCBI designation
Showcase your professional status with the Institute’s most prestigious post-nominal.

Be recognised as a leader and role model
Demonstrate your standing within the profession and your commitment to its future.

Join a powerful network of senior professionals
Connect with like-minded peers who share your dedication to responsible finance.

Shape the future of banking
Contribute your voice, experience, and insight to the development of the profession.

Promote ethical, responsible professionalism
Lead by example in upholding and advancing standards across the sector.

Take advantage of a special 150th year benefit
To mark our 150th anniversary, we’re offering a brand-new opportunity: Fellows who apply before the end of June 2026, can become Lifetime Members for a one-time fee of £2,025.This limited-time offer is also open to newly appointed Fellows, and offers long-term value, special recognition, and the chance to further support the Institute’s mission to champion responsible, professional banking. Flexible payment options are also available. More information available here. Please let us know when applying if you are interesting in Lifetime Membership.

Who Should Apply?

You may be eligible to apply if you:

Are a Chartered Banker (or working towards this via the Chartered Banker by Experience route)
Have 10 or more years’ experience in banking
Have contributed meaningfully to the profession or the work of the Institute
Are committed to ethical conduct, professionalism, and continuing professional development (CPD)
Act as a mentor and role model within the profession
Have up-to-date membership fees

In assessing candidates’ suitability, we will look for evidence of a breadth of experience which might be demonstrated through some of the following:

Evidence of leadership qualities e.g., leadership style, leading a team through change, mentoring/coaching others and communication skills
Building and maintaining technical knowledge
Commitment to learning and development e.g., CPD, professional networks and through other qualifications
Professionalism and ethics
Managing cultural shift
Delivering successful projects
Developing and implementing strategy.

The Application Process

Complete the Online Application Form

Fill in our application form to begin your submission.
Upload Supporting Documents

As part of your application, you will be asked to upload a copy of your CV, a recent headshot, and the contact details for two supporters. These should be either existing Fellows or individuals who have known you in a professional or educational capacity for at least two years.
Submit a Piece of Content

You will also need to submit a short piece of content that can be shared with our members. This could be a blog or article highlighting your expertise in a particular area, or reflecting on a current topic in banking. Alternatively, you might choose to submit a short video testimonial about the value of your Institute qualifications and how membership has supported your career. To get a sense of the kind of content we’re looking for, please visit our Knowledge Hub for examples and inspiration. This allows us to quickly and meaningfully showcase our new Fellows and the diverse perspectives they bring to the profession.
Application Review

Your application will be reviewed by our Fellowship panel with a final decision being made by our Board of Trustees.

If you’d like to speak with our team before applying, please email us at info@charteredbanker.com.

Fast-Track Option

Don’t have Chartered Banker status yet?
You can apply for Fellowship and Chartered Banker by Experience at the same time. If approved, Fellowship is awarded once the qualification is complete.

The Institute’s Board of Trustees may, at its discretion, recognise and recommend additional pathways to meeting the qualification requirement.

Ready to Apply?

Start your application today

How do I apply for Fellowship?

Applications for Fellowship should be submitted using the appropriate online Fellowship application form. Applications require the support of a proposer and seconder. These should be individuals who could, if requested, provide confirmation of your significant contribution to banking and to the objects of the Institute. They might be existing Fellows of the Institute but they do not need to be. If not Fellows, the proposer and seconder must usually have known the nominee in a business or education capacity for a minimum of two years. You will also need to submit a short piece of content that can shared with our members. This could be a blog, article or video.

Is it possible to make the nomination without the form?

Fellowship is the highest status conferred on members by our Institute. For this reason, the Board of Trustees requires all candidates to complete and sign a declaration on the application form, to ensure that prospective Fellows meet the required standards of professional and ethical behaviour. In completing the proposal form, proposers and seconders are also asked to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, candidates for Fellowship meet these required standards.

How long does it take to approve a Fellowship nomination?

Applications may be submitted at any time but will require to be reviewed by both the People and Nominations Committee and the Board of Trustees. The length of the approval process may therefore be affected by the normal cycle of governance meetings. For qualified Chartered Bankers the approval process would typically take up to 3-4 months but may be shorter. Individuals on the fast-track route who are required to complete Chartered Banker by Experience may take longer as final confirmation of Fellowship is dependent on completion of the qualification. The Institute will seek supporting statements from the proposer and seconder, and this can be a source of delay so it is helpful to ensure sponsors are aware that they will be contacted. Failure to attach a CV with the application or to submit the requested piece of content may also cause delay as the application will not be processed until all information has been obtained.

When is Fellowship confirmed?

Fellowship may be formally conferred at a recognition event to which the newly elected Fellow has been invited. However, candidates are entitled to refer to themselves as Fellows and to use the designation FCBI as soon as the Board of Trustees has formally advised them of their election to the roll of Fellows. In order to use and maintain their designation, Fellows are required to maintain their membership of the Institute and satisfy the annual CPD requirements.

What action do you take if the information supplied is incorrect?

Before submission, please check information supplied very carefully to avoid errors or discrepancies. If, prior to approval by the Board of Trustees, the information provided on the application form is found to be inaccurate or misleading, then the application is liable to be rejected. If this is discovered after the award of Fellowship has been made then, following further investigation, the Fellowship may be withdrawn and individuals may become subject to disciplinary action.

What is Chartered Banker by Experience?

Chartered Banker by Experience is designed for experienced banking professionals who wish to gain Chartered Banker status and become members of the Chartered Banker Institute. The qualification is intended for individuals who seek an accelerated, flexible yet rigorous route to Chartered Banker status. Find out more here.

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