American Institute of Banking (AIB)

What Is the American Institute of Banking (AIB)?

The American Institute of Banking was formerly an organization founded and overseen by the American Bankers Association (ABA). The AIB’s primary purpose was providing specialized training courses and certifications for the banking industry. It worked alongside the Institute of Certified Bankers (ICB) which was also an ABA supported group. Both the training and certifications of the AIB and ICB have now been rolled up under the ABA brand. Most all ABA trainings and certifications are offered to both members and non-members.

Understanding the American Institute of Banking

The AIB was formerly known as somewhat of a watchdog over the banking industry, working in conjunction with the ABA to provide up-to-date information on government policies along with key training and certifications that provided specialized support for banking industry workers. The ABA founded the AIB in 1903.

Both the AIB and ICB served as important subsidiaries under the ABA brand. The AIB provided specialized training. The ICB offered more complex and comprehensive certifications targeting professionals in areas such as wealth management and estate planning. The ABA combined the efforts of the AIB and the ICB under its ABA brand umbrella, now offering AIB and ICB trainings autonomously under the ABA brand name.

The ABA is the largest banking trade association in the United States. Combined efforts from the AIB, ICB, and other proprietary trainings make the ABA the top leader for banking industry training and certification programs in the United States.

The ABA was established in 1875. Its banking members and representation cover the entire banking sector, including banks of all sizes. Through the combined efforts of the AIB and ICB, the ABA can offer a full gamut of trainings, covering everything in banking from bank operations to capital planning and risk management. The ABA is also a provider of banking industry publications and research. Additionally, the ABA is known for its lobbying activities.

AIB Trainings and Certifications

Before its merger with the ABA, the AIB focused on trainings and certifications that provided specialized help in key operational banking areas. The trainings and certifications of the AIB can still be found through the ABA and may be informally referred to as AIB training. AIB trainings include the following:

Business Banking and Commercial Lending

Mortgage Lending

CEO and Bank Leadership

Retail Banking

Risk Management

Wealth Management and Trust

Institute of Certified Bankers

The ICB was also formerly a separate organization operating under the ABA umbrella. The ICB’s training and certifications were more complex and comprehensive. ICB trainings are now a part of the ABA and include the following: 

Both AIB and ICB worked under the auspices of the American Bankers Association before they were fully merged into one brand name. AIB and ICB programs were known to be offered through local ABA providers.

Educational Banking Industry Institutes

The financial services industry and banking in particular offers a wide variety of opportunities for educational training and professional advancement. The ABA is the largest trade association in the U.S. but many other educational institutions also exist for training, including the following: