There is no doubt in the fact that the banking and finance sector is among the ever evolving fields with the advancement in technological domain. As such, there is no restriction on what can apply for the banking or finance jobs in the private or government sector. However, if you can avail some banking and finance courses on the graduation qualification then you can get a competitive edge over other candidates.
There are multiple courses in finance and banking domain which you can avail but it would be best if you can do as per your career domain. Here is the list of the best banking and finance courses you can do in 2025.
Why Pursue Banking and Finance Courses?
Courses in banking and finance will prepare you with required concepts and training to be at a particular position in the sector. You will learn many concepts, but the major ones are financial analysis, investment banking, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
No doubt, graduates can also pursue profitable jobs in corporate finance departments with the help of banking and finance courses. They can get better opportunities at commercial banks, investment banks, and other financial organizations as well with enrolling in such courses.
Top Banking and Finance Courses to Consider
Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance
Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance by National Institute of Bank Management, NIBM is among the top courses that financial enthusiasts choose to pursue with graduation. This course is of 1 year and you will learn a lot of things, to name a few, you will learn developing managerial skills which will be quite specific to the banking sector.
You will get a chance to work on and learn about the financial markets, risk management, and banking operations as well. If you want to grow in a banking or finance career, then you can greatly benefit from this diploma.
Certificate Program in Investment Banking
Certificate Program in Investment Banking by Indian School of Business, ISB is the another best certificate program in finance and banking you can consider doing. The overall duration of this certificate course is 6 months. With enrolling in this course, you will learn about the investment banking operations which will also include the knowledge on mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and financial modeling as well.
MBA in Banking and Finance
MBA in Banking and Finance by Global BIFS Academy is best if you are considering doing a full-time 2 years MBA course following your graduation. With an MBA in Banking and Finance here, you will get specializations in banking and finance with a major focus on financial management, investment strategies, and risk assessment.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Who is not aware about the course Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)? Everyone is and once in a lifetime, all of us think about whether we can do a CFA course or not! The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course is conducted by CFA Institute itself. In general, there are three levels of the course which you need to complete and it will typically take 2-4 years to complete all three levels on average.
One thing you must note here is that the CFA program is globally recognized and most demanded as well. It will help you to gain all the knowledge required on investment management covering topics portfolio management, equity analysis, ethical standards, among others.
Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
Financial Risk Manager (FRM) is another very popular + most demanded course all over the world. This is conducted and administered by Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). The course is divided into different levels similar to the CFA course. However, it typically takes several months per level and to complete the course as well, there is no duration as such. With the FRM certification, you will learn a lot about risk management principles and practices covering market risk, credit risk, operational risk, and risk modeling.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is quite similar to the above two mentioned, that is, CFA and FRM course. It is administered and conducted by Financial Planning Standards Board India. It generally typically takes about a year to complete the overall course. You will learn a lot about personal financial planning, including retirement, tax, estate, and investment planning with the CFP certification.
Investment Banking Operations Course
Investment Banking Operations Course is one of the specialized courses. The course is administered and conducted by IMS Proschool. The overall duration of the course is 4 months. It will help you to get all the required information and train you on the operational roles within investment banks with reconciliation, settlements, and compliance processes.
Investment Banking Certification by Wall Street Prep
Investment Banking Certification is administered and conducted by Wall Street Prep, which is an online platform. This is a self paced course. It will help you to attain the required practical training in financial modeling and valuation techniques used in investment banking.
Conclusion
There are multiple courses to list when it comes to the banking and finance course to pursue. Now to choose the best one, you need to narrow down your check list ~ choose what domain you want to get into and then choose the course you want to pursue following your graduation. If there is a time crunch, you can not do a 2-year master course then do a diploma or certificate course. Starting from MBA programs at Global BIFS Academy to advanced certifications like CFA or FRM, there's something for everyone looking forward to in the banking and finance domain.