Frequently Asked Questions
Membership
A. Individual Membership
- 1. Am I eligible to join AICB?
AICB membership is open to employees of financial institutions, as well as individuals who intend to pursue a career in banking.
Please click here to view the available membership categories and the respective requirements.
- 2. How do I become a member of AICB?
Applications for membership can be made online via the AICB Member Portal at any time of the year. Click here to register as a member.
- 3. Do I need to become a member before I can take a qualification with the Institute?
Candidates studying for a qualification (with the exception of Pasaran Kewangan Malaysia Certificate and Investor Protection Professional Certification candidates) are required to hold a valid membership with AICB to begin or continue with their studies.
- 4. What are the benefits of membership with AICB?
As a member of AICB, you will have access to a range of exclusive benefits such as:
- Professional recognition: Recognition as a professionally qualified individual in the banking fraternity, including global recognition for the Chartered Banker brand.
- Career development opportunities: Access to a range of qualifications to suit the different needs of your career progression.
- Networking opportunities: Access to a range of member engagement events.
- Career resources: Complimentary banking magazines and journals.
- Access to online learning resources/references: Various forms of CPD offerings and recognitions.
- Subsidised programmes: Learning programmes and conferences at member rates.
- 5. Can I use a professional designation if my membership has expired?
The use of a professional designation is subject to continued membership with the Institute and meeting the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
- 6. How do I upgrade my membership category?
Affiliate members with a valid status will be automatically upgraded to the Associate category upon completion of any of the following qualifications:
- Professional Banker
- Retail Credit Professional
- Business Credit Professional
- Advanced Certification in AML/CFT
- Bank Risk Management
- Advanced Certification in Regulatory Compliance
- Certification for Bank Auditors (CBA)
- Prior Experience Conversion Programme (PEC)
- Pasaran Kewangan Malaysia Certificate (PKMC) (Applicable to AICB–FMAM Dual Membership Holders only)
Meanwhile, members with a valid status will be automatically upgraded to the Chartered Banker status if he/she has completed the Chartered Banker qualification.
Click here for more information.
- 7. What are the fees payable for membership?
New admissions will be charged a subscription fee. Thereafter, the annual subscription fee is due and payable on or before 1 January of each year. Members are required to renew their annual subscriptions online via the AICB Member Portal on the AICB website.
The membership subscription fees are available on the AICB website. Click here to view the membership admission and renewal fees.
- 8. Can my employer sponsor the membership subscription fee?
Employers who are Corporate Members of AICB may opt to sponsor their employees’ membership subscription fees.
Members are required to submit the request for sponsorship via the AICB Member Portal. Members are highly encouraged to obtain prior approvals from their respective employers.
- 9. Does AICB offer discounts on annual subscription fees?
The Institute offers reductions in annual subscription fees to members (except Affiliate members) who are aged 60 and above and have retired from gainful employment and business activities.
Applications for the reduction of the annual subscription fee shall be made online using the prescribed form accompanied by supporting documents.
- 10. How do I get an invoice or receipt for my payment?
An invoice or receipt can be obtained from the AICB Member Portal.
- 11. I cannot remember my username and password for the AICB Member Portal — how do I log in?
a. Your username is your NRIC number (for Malaysians) or passport number (for non-Malaysians) or Membership Number
b. Click here to obtain your temporary password. A temporary password will be sent via email.
- 12. What must I do to readmit myself for my designated membership?
All applications for re-admission shall be made online via the AICB Member Portal. Upon approval, the applicant shall pay a re-admission fee equivalent to the total of the current year’s subscription and the subscriptions for the previous years (at the applicable subscription rates) during which the individual’s membership had lapsed. Re-admission to membership does not entitle the member to retrospective benefits.
- 13. Why have I been removed from the membership register?
An Individual Member shall cease to be a member in the following circumstances:
a. in the event of death
b. if he/she fails to pay the annual subscription fee, or
c. if he/she becomes of unsound mind.
- 14. How do I cancel my membership?
An Individual Member may cancel his/her membership by sending a notice in writing to the Secretary at [email protected] and upon acceptance by the Council, he/she shall cease to be a member and his/her name shall be removed from the Register of Members. A member whose notice of resignation has not been received by the Secretary prior to 1 February of any year shall remain liable for any fees or subscriptions in respect of that year.
- 15. How do I access the e-Resources?
You can access the e-Resources via the AICB Member Portal. Once you have logged in, click on e-Resources, where you will have access to a wide range of resources, including reference books and articles, videos and e-learning modules. Please ensure that you have a valid membership status to access these resources.
- 16. How do I renew my membership and what are the payment options available?
Log in to the AICB Member Portal to pay your annual membership subscription fees via:
a. Bank sponsorship
You may select this option if your employer agrees to sponsor the AICB annual membership subscription fee. The sponsorship request will be sent to your employer for approval. Upon approval, your membership status and expiry date will be updated accordingly. Should the request be rejected, you may proceed with option b. Requests which are pending for more than 30 days will be automatically rejected.
Note: The bank sponsorship option is only available for members who are employed by AICB’s Corporate Members.b. Self sponsorship
You may proceed with the payment via debit/credit card or online banking. Once the payment has been made, your membership status and expiry date will be updated. You may also retrieve the invoice and receipt from the AICB Member Portal account statement folder. Should the update take longer than 24 hours, please send us an email at [email protected]. - 17. What happens if I do not renew my membership?
You will lose a range of exclusive benefits available to AICB members, which include:
- recognition as a professionally qualified banker, including global recognition via the Chartered Banker designation
- career development opportunities with access to a range of qualifications to suit the various requirements of your career progression
- networking opportunities with access to a range of member engagement events
- career resources such as thought leadership publications, online learning resources and references, CPD offerings and recognition.
- subsidised programmes, such as e-learning and knowledge-sharing programmes, and thought leadership conferences at member rates.
- 18. Do I need to maintain my membership to enrol for a qualification?
Candidates studying for a qualification (except Pasaran Kewangan Malaysia Certificate and Investor Protection Professional Certification candidates) are required to hold a valid membership with AICB. A candidate's professional qualification will continue to be recognised if a valid membership is maintained with AICB.
- 19. If I do not renew my membership but I intend to do so later, would that be possible?
Any Individual Member who fails to pay the annual subscription fee within three months from the due date shall cease to be a member and his/her name shall be removed from the Register of Members unless the Council decides otherwise.
If you have been removed from the Register of Members, you may apply to become an AICB member again. Re-admission applications may be made via the AICB Member Portal.
Upon approval of the re-admission application, a member shall pay a re-admission fee equivalent to the total fee of the current year’s subscription and the subscriptions for the previous years (at the applicable subscription rates) during which the individual’s membership had lapsed. Click here for more information (page 7, para 11, Re-Admission to Membership).
- 20. May I attend the events and webinars conducted by AICB if I do not renew my membership?
We welcome non-members to most of our events. However, non-members are required to pay the non-subsidised fee to attend, while members enjoy preferential rates. We do, from time to time, run events that cater only to AICB members.
- 21. Can I use my professional designation if I am no longer a member?
The use of a professional designation is subject to continued membership with AICB and meeting the CPD requirements. You will need to maintain your membership with AICB post-completion of a qualification.
B. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- 22. What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the means by which members of professional associations maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills, and develop the personal qualities required in their professional lives.
The Institute’s approach to CPD is to foster a commitment to lifelong learning among members. The Institute encourages all Individual Members to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills throughout their careers to ensure they remain professionally competent and able to provide high quality services to customers, employers and other stakeholders.
Click here for more information.
- 23. Who needs to complete and comply with the CPD requirements?
All members, except Life members, are subject to mandatory CPD and must comply with the following minimum requirements for CPD:
- Group 1: Members who hold a professional designation awarded by the Institute are required to undertake at least 35 hours of relevant CPD activity in each calendar year, of which 20 hours must be structured CPD. At least 10 hours of the structured CPD must be in areas directly related to banking, and 5 hours of the structured CPD, in ethics.
- Group 2: Members who hold a professional designation and who are Dual Membership Holders (AICB–FMAM) are required to undertake at least 38 hours of CPD activity in each calendar year in areas directly related to banking or finance. Of this, at least 20 hours must be structured CPD programmes conducted or recognised by AICB, Financial Markets Association of Malaysia (FMAM), Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), Asian Banking School (ABS), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) or other professional bodies or organisations, and 5 hours must be structured CPD in Ethics.
Click here for more information.
- 24. When do the CPD requirements take effect?
Newly admitted members or current members who have attained a professional designation are required to comply with the CPD requirements from 1 January of the following year.
Click here for more information.
- 25. Can I transfer any additional CPD hours that I have logged for the current year to the following year?
Members who have undertaken more than the required amount of CPD as set out in regulation 5.1 may not carry forward the surplus hours to the following year. The CPD attainment set out in regulation 5.1 is the minimum that members are required to achieve to maintain their professional competence. It is recommended that the time invested in CPD exceeds these minimum levels.
- 26. What is structured and unstructured CPD activity?
Structured CPD is any form of formal learning activity that is designed to achieve specific learning outcomes and is capable of being objectively verified by a competent source. Unstructured CPD is any informal learning activity such as on-the-job training, online research, self-study, casual reading of professional journals and participation in events, where the focus is on knowledge sharing. For more information, click here.
- 27. Where do I update my CPD activity?
Please log in to the AICB Member Portal to update your CPD activities under the CPD tab.
- 28. What will happen if I fail to comply with the CPD requirements?
Members who fail to comply with the CPD requirements for two consecutive years will have their membership downgraded and the use of their professional designations suspended.
- 29. Are there any members who are exempt from the CPD requirements?
All members are expected to comply with the CPD requirements.
However, if a member is unable to meet the CPD requirements due to special circumstances, he/she may apply for exemption from CPD. Circumstances recognised for exemption include:
a. Prolonged illness or disability
b. Onerous caring duties for a close family member
c. Parental leave
d. Unemployment, and
e. Career break.
To apply for exemption from CPD, kindly log in to the AICB Member Portal and submit your application for approval.
C. Corporate Membership
- 30. Is my organisation eligible to join AICB?
Corporate membership of the Institute is open to licensed banks, licensed investment banks, other licensed financial institutions, regulators of the banking and financial services industry, and other institutions approved by the Council.
For more details on Corporate membership, please click here.
D. Admission
- 31. How do I register for an examination sitting/module?
Please log in to the AICB Member Portal and select the Qualification tab to register for examination sittings/modules.
- 32. How long will it take to process my application?
It will normally take about 1–2 weeks for us to process your application. However, it may vary depending on the following circumstances:
- The completeness of the application
- How easily we can verify your information
- How long you take to respond to any request or clarification
- The volume of applications we receive.
- 33. What will happen if I do not submit the required documents by the given deadline?
Your application will be declined if you do not submit the required documents by the given deadline. Following this, you may resubmit your application.
- 34. How long will it take for me to complete the Professional Banker qualification?
The duration to complete the Professional Banker qualification is 3 years. You may choose to sit for the modules concurrently or do them 1 module at a time.
- 35. Is there a time limit to complete the PKMC qualification?
Yes, candidates are required to pass all 4 modules within 2 years of admission as a member of Persatuan Pasaran Kewangan Malaysia (PPKM), failing which their memberships will be terminated by PPKM and any module passes gained will be nullified.
- 36. Is there a time limit to complete the IPPC qualification?
No, there is no time limit to complete the IPPC qualification.
- 37. Do I need to register as a member with AICB to sit for the PKMC or IPPC examinations?
No, FMAM membership is sufficient. All new members who pass the examinations in its entirety or who are existing FMAM Ordinary members (a prerequisite for trading in the Malaysian financial markets) will be granted a dual membership with both FMAM and AICB.
- 38. How do I check the status of my application?
You will be notified via email once your application is processed. Alternatively, you may log in to the AICB Member Portal from time to time to view your application status.
- 39. Can I get a refund if I withdraw from the module for which I registered?
As stated in the examination policy, all registrations are not refundable or transferable. For more information, please click here.
E. Assessment
- 40. Why am I unable to view my results?
You are unable to view your results because your AICB membership has expired.
- 41. Can I withdraw from an examination after I have registered for it? Will I get a refund for the examination fee?
A candidate who withdraws or is absent from an examination will not be entitled to any refunds of the module or examination fee paid. He/she is also not allowed to carry forward the fee to the next examination sitting.
- 42. Can I defer my online examination?
Candidates may apply for deferment if they were unable to reschedule the examination booked at a test centre or take the examination due to extenuating circumstances. The application for deferment must be done at least 48 hours prior to the original examination session. The deferment is only applicable on the following grounds:
- Illness/injury/hospitalisation
- Illness of an immediate family member
- Bereavement of an immediate family member
- Personal/emotional circumstances
- Involvement in accident
- Victim of crime
- Victim of natural disasters
- Any other extenuating circumstances.
Candidates who wish to apply for deferment under extenuating circumstances may do so with supporting documents via the AICB Member Portal.
- 43. Can I appeal for a review of my examination result?
As much as we sympathise with your disappointment and frustration, we assure you that the examination results you have obtained accurately reflects your performance in the examination. The Board of Examiners' decision on results is final, and appeals will not be considered.
- 44. How will I be notified of my results?
Examination results will be made available to candidates via the AICB Member Portal at a pre-determined time as published on AICB's website. Candidates may log in to the AICB Member Portal to view their examination results.
- 45. When will I receive my certificate?
The certificate will be sent to the respective banks’ Learning and Development (LnD) department for distribution 2–4 months after the completion of the qualification. The Chartered Banker certificate will be presented during the annual Chartered Banker Conferment Ceremony.
- 46. Are appeals allowed for any of AICB’s qualifications?
The decision of the Board of Examiners on a candidate’s examination results is final and no appeals will be entertained.
- 47. I have received my results, but only the grade is indicated. Can I request for the actual marks/score for the examination?
It is the Institute’s policy that examination results are expressed in the form of grade bands. The actual scores of an examination are confidential and will not be released.
- 48. What are the online examination delivery options available?
There are 2 examination delivery modes available. You may sit for your examination:
- via remote proctoring (OnVUE) from your home/office, or
- at the approved Pearson VUE test centres.
- 49. How do I book an online examination?
Examinations bookings can be done online via the examination provider, Pearson VUE. Please log in to the AICB Member Portal to make an examination booking.
- 50. What do I need to bring to the test centre?
You are required to bring your original NRIC/passport/driving licence and the examination booking confirmation. Click here for more details on the items that are allowed/disallowed during the examination.
- 51. How do I change my examination mode from remote proctoring to taking the examination at a test centre and vice versa?
You may access your online Pearson VUE account through the AICB Member Portal to cancel your current examination booking and re-book an alternative examination mode.
- 52. How do I cancel my examination?
You may access your online Pearson VUE account through the AICB Member Portal to cancel your examinations. For examinations held at test centres, you must make the cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the examination, while for remote proctoring, you may make a cancellation before the start of the examination.
Check your email inbox for the confirmation email on your cancellation.
- 53. How do I reschedule my examination?
You may access your online Pearson VUE account through the AICB Member Portal to reschedule your examinations. For examinations via remote proctoring, rescheduling can be done before the start of the examination, while for examinations held at test centres, rescheduling must be done at least 48 hours prior to the examination.
Below are examples on how to reschedule an examination held at a test centre:
Example 1:
Original examination date: 6 January 2023 (Friday @ 9 am)
New examination date: 4 January 2023 (Wednesday @ 9 am)
Rescheduling must be done by: 2 January 2023 (Monday, before 9 am)Example 2:
Original examination date: 6 January 2023 (Friday @ 9 am)
New examination date: 8 January 2023 (Sunday @ 9 am)
Rescheduling must be done by: 4 January 2023 (Wednesday, before 9 am)Check your email inbox for the confirmation email on your rescheduling.
- 54. Will I receive a confirmation email after I have made an examination booking?
Yes, once your examination is booked, you will receive a confirmation email from Pearson VUE.
- 55. If I failed my examination/assessment, am I allowed to re-sit/re-take the examination or assessment?
Yes, you may apply to re-sit/re-take the examination/assessment. Please note that fees are applicable.
- 56. What happens if I decide not to continue with my qualification?
If you decide not to continue with your qualification, you are required to cancel your qualification by emailing us at [email protected]. Kindly note that no refunds will be issued.
- 57. Can I reschedule an examination booked at a test centre less than 48 hours prior to the session?
Examinations cannot be rescheduled less than 48 hours prior to your session. You may apply for deferment if you are unable to:
- reschedule the examination at least 48 hours prior to the session, or
- take the examination due to extenuating circumstances.
F. Online Learning Support
- 58. How do I access my online learning materials?
Please log in to the AICB Member Portal, click on the Qualification tab, and select “Online Learning” to view the online learning materials.