Certified Private Banker (CPB) Level 1

Programme Overview

Certified Private Banker (CPB) Level 1 is the next step for Client Advisors/ Relationship Managers who have completed Client Advisor Competency Standards (CACS) Paper 1 and 2. It offers a set of modules which covers the full range of wealth management competencies and applied skills for the high-net-worth client segment.

Modules

Each module can be taken on its own. This gives participants the flexibility to complete them in different ways to fit their schedule, meet the required hours or achieve IBF certification. For modules with online learning, the online component should be completed before the class to equip participants with the necessary knowledge for the class, as well as the assessment.

CPBL1 – Client Management Skills

This module will help you layer structure over “soft skills” as you learn about best-in-class frameworks for acquiring new clients and anchoring existing clients.

With the digitalisation of financial services and the emergence of robo-advisory, client advisor needs to further differentiate their value to remain the preferred choice for their clients.

Along the journey of prospecting, onboarding, advising and periodic portfolio reviews, you will learn how to maximise these opportunities to deepen the client relationship for success.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 20

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 6
• Classroom Hours: 16
• Online Hours: 4

CPBL1 – Ethical Conduct (Online)

The module highlights the importance of not just doing what is legal, but what is right. 

It equips participants with professional and personal ethics and how they may be impacted by the environment they work in and/or the persons they work for or with.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 4

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 4
• Online Hours: 4

CPBL1 – Investment Advisory

The module equips you with the knowledge and skills to help high-net-worth clients make better-informed decisions by considering their risk appetite, time horizon, financial needs, and product suitability at the point of account opening and across periodic portfolio reviews.

Understand the full investment advisory process and how this can be applied effectively to strengthen your value as a client adviser.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 11

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 5
• Classroom Hours: 8
• Online Hours: 3

CPBL1 – Acquiring and Managing Chinese HNW Clients (Cultural and Financial Insights)

Appreciation of the regional wealth management landscape can be gained by understanding the culture, sensitivities, market dynamics and evolving regulations in key regional markets. This module focuses on China.

It will provide you insights into the differences in mindsets between generations of high-net-worth clients, paradigm shifts due to globalisation as well as skills to develop trust and build long-lasting relationships with high-net-worth clients.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 8

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 2.5
• Classroom Hours: 8

CPBL1 – Wealth and Legacy Planning

This module will upskill you to initiate and develop purposeful wealth planning discussions with high-net-worth clients, in partnership with relevant specialists. It covers topics such as basic legal and tax concepts used in wealth planning, the typical solutions available to facilitate fiscally transparent asset protection, residence planning, trust and succession planning.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 11

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 6
• Classroom Hours: 8
• Online Hours: 3

CPB – Wealth Management in the Digital Age

This module examines how digital technology can create meaningful touchpoints and how data could provide new business and HNW client insights. Learn about the latest trends and technologies which are disrupting the financial industry. Understand their impact and how you should future-proof yourself to remain relevant in your role as a client advisor.

You will also understand new risk paradigms in the digital workplace to minimise fraud and cybersecurity breaches, how artificial intelligence works and how to integrate robo-advisory into the investment advisory process so you will stay relevant and effective.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 8

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 2
• Classroom Hours: 4
• Online Hours: 4

Introduction to ESG Advisory

The Introduction to ESG Advisory is a one-day program that is a combination of the Certificate in ESG Landscape and Impact on Business and the Certificate in Sustainable Investment Management.

The module introduces the basic concepts of ESG. Sustainable investments are critical to addressing the energy transition, which has a multi-trillion-dollar capital requirement. UHNW clients and family offices are increasingly demanding that both financial performance and non-financial factors, such as ESG, be considered.

Upon completion of this module, you will be awarded the following 2 certificates:

• Certificate in ESG Landscape and Impact on Businesses
• Certificate in Sustainable Investment Management

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 8

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 0
• Classroom Hours: 8

Introduction to Climate Change and Decarbonisation Strategies

Introduction to Climate and Decarbonisation Strategies is a one-day program that equips participants with a comprehensive grasp of foundational climate science principles, the ability to interpret international climate agreements, and the skills to seamlessly integrate sustainability considerations into financial strategies.

Participants will also develop expertise in evaluating climate-related risks and identifying opportunities stemming from climate change.

Upon completion of this module, you will be awarded the following 2 certificates:

• Certificate in Introduction to Climate Change Management
• Certificate in Carbon Market and Decarbonisation Strategies

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 8

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 0
• Classroom Hours: 8

Family Office Essentials for Wealth Advisers

Family offices are growing in their significance as a client segment for wealth advisors. This course provides the essential information in the principles, structures, and strategies of family offices. Designed for professionals serving ultra-high-net-worth families, the program explores why family offices are established, their key functions, and how they differ from individual wealth management.

Participants will gain insights into common family office structures and tax strategies, governance frameworks, and investment approaches, including asset allocation and risk management. The course also addresses critical areas such as philanthropy, legacy planning, and succession, equipping participants to integrate family values with long-term wealth objectives.

Total Training Duration / CPD Hours: 8

• Core FAA/SFA CPD: 2
• Classroom Hours: 8

Download programme brochure

Who Should Attend

The Level 1 programme is designed for professionals with less than 3 years of experience in Private Banking (or serving the high-net-worth client segment):

• Client Advisors, Relationship Managers, Assistant Relationship Managers and all other Covered Persons
• Private Client Relationship Managers, Senior Priority Relationship Managers in Consumer or Retail Banking
• Insurance Advisors, Financial Consultants and Independent Financial Advisors
• Product and Investment Specialists

New entrants and mid-career switch professionals should complete the CACS assessment before starting with the Level 1 programme.

Useful Links

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the programme will be awarded: 

Fees and Funding

Fees and Funding

Fees and Funding

¹ For Singaporeans aged 40 and above, you are eligible to utilise the SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) further to offset your course fee after the IBF subsidy.

² Fees shown are after IBF-STS funding assuming students meet the minimum academic standards outlined by IBF and are physically based in Singapore. The fees are also subject to IBF accreditation approval for all modules.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Funding

Note:

For the CPBL1 – Client Management Skills module, a re-assessment fee of S$500 excluding GST will be charged for additional role-play assessment attempts.

Click here to read more about the terms & conditions governing registration, payment, cancellation, deferment and no-show.

The information above is correct at the time of publication. Wealth Management Institute reserves the right to amend the fees and/or terms and conditions as appropriate. 

In addition to Course Fees, each participant will also be charged a non-refundable and non-claimable application fee of S$85 (including GST).

This programme is pending accreditation by the Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF). When accredited, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents will be eligible for funding support of up to 70% course fee subsidy under the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS).

Fees shown are after IBF-STS funding. Subsidised fees apply upon participants’ successful completion of the programme, which includes (i) fulfilling minimum attendance requirements and (ii) passing all relevant assessments.

Subsidies are subject to change by IBF and fees will be adjusted based on prevailing funding rates. Click here to read more about funding support for IBF-STS, and terms & conditions governing registration, payment, cancellation, deferment and no-show.

The information above is correct at the time of publication. Wealth Management Institute reserves the right to amend the fees and/or terms and conditions as appropriate.

Schedule

Dates published may subject to change.

2026 Schedule

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