Top 5 Online Certification Courses in Banking & Finance for Career Growth in 2025

Let’s say you are standing at a coffee shop and you get a loyalty card. For every 10th cup of coffee you would buy, you shall get one cup free. Similarly, in a mini-banking system, you deposit your money and earn interest. That’s how banks and financial institutions work on a larger scale, from managing deposits and offering returns to building trust. It is a fact that the finance sector is the backbone of the world economy.

Success notices efforts, whether after 12th or after UG. The banking sector’s blockchain, fintech, and AI lists are evolving faster than ever. Whether you are a fresher or an experienced professional, you should stay ahead. This is where online certification courses swoop in as lifesavers for your career. In this blog, we have explored the top 5 online certification courses in banking and finance for career growth in 2025. So, grab that free cup of coffee and let’s begin the journey.

Top Online Certification Courses in Banking & Finance

Let’s look at the top online courses popularly opted for by banking and finance professionals.

1. Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)

This online certification is less known and yet powerful. CFA is the most common and respected designation you would have heard of in the financial sector. The CFA is a three-level exam which requires discipline and extensive study. You can take the Level 1 exam four times yearly, i.e., in February, May, August, and November. This is followed by a Level 2 exam, in which you can appear three times a year, in May, August, and November. The Level 3 exam can be taken twice yearly, in February and August. Remember, the CFA is not a quick way to career upliftment; it requires strong commitment and long study hours. If you can invest so much time and are not looking for a quick fix to your ailing career, this course can benefit you.

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  Conducting Body: CFA Institute
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  CFA Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree or a final-year student, or four years of work experience or a combination of work & college that totals to four years.

2. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

A CPA is a licensed professional who has successfully passed the required exam. The CPA exams are created according to the guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. This certification shows your proficiency in taxation, auditing, financial accounting, financial reporting, risk management, and company law. Getting the CPA licence would take 150 hours of course duration completion and rigorous exams.

The exam is 16 hours long and consists of four sections, each of which needs to be completed in four hours. There are three core sections in the exam and an optional section. The core sections are financial accounting and reporting, auditing and attestation, taxation, and regulation. To pass the exam, you should receive a score of 75%.

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  Conducting Body: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
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  CPA Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in commerce, accounting, or a business-related field.

3. Financial Risk Manager

The Financial Risk Manager is a premier certification globally recognised to train finance professionals for risk management. You should pass two rigorous exams and work for two years in the field to earn the certification. After completing this certification, you can work for any major bank, insurance company, accounting firm, regulatory body, or asset management firm. Part 1 of the exam has 100 questions, and Part 2 has 80 questions.

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  Conducting Body: Global Association of Risk Professionals
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  Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute and two years of relevant work experience.

4. Management of Commercial Banking

This 12-week course deals with commercial banking activities from a risk management perspective. The main focus of the course is to manage risks like interest rate, liquidity, credit, or operational risks. Although the course is offered on the SWAYAM portal, it is taught by the IIT Kharagpur faculty. The Management of Commercial Banking course is free to enroll in, but if you want the certificate, you would need to take the exam, which would be paid.

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  Conducting Body: IIT Kharagpur
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  Delivered On: SWAYAM Portal
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  Eligibility: Anyone from an economics, commerce, or business background

5. Digital Banking Business Model

As you know, technology has entered the banking sector and is now inseparable. This course by the State Bank of India would help you understand the technology-enabled changes in the banking sector. Moreover, you learn how to implement digital transformation projects. The course is four weeks long, where you can easily devote 2 to 4 hours per week and learn at your own pace. Through this course, you better understand the digital journey for consumers and learn about business models driven by exponential technologies.

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  Conducting Body: State Bank of India
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  Eligibility: No hard prerequisites, just the right knowledge and understanding of the banking business.

Skills You Gain from Banking and Finance Certifications

Bonus Courses

When do you get most excited when shopping in a mart? Obviously, when you get a 50% discount or a freebie. We know that. So, we have listed a few bonus courses for banking and finance aspirants.

How to Choose the Right Certification?

If you are confused about finding the right career match, we have prepared a roadmap. Let’s start the engine!

Before enrolling, ask the following questions:

The End

Yes, the banking and finance sector is growing faster, and so is the need for highly skilled professionals to match the pace. These online courses offer a convenient and effective way to gain updated knowledge and skills to thrive in this dynamic field. So, take the first step towards better and more efficient work opportunities. Remember, the only limit to your success is your willingness to learn.