88 Complete Certificate Program, 28 Earn Professional Banking Diplomas
NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Banking Institute of Liberia on Friday June 5, 2026 graduated 116 people during its formal closing and certification program held at the Central Bank of Liberia.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Among them, 88 participants completed the Certificate of Achievement Training Program while the remaining 28 completed the first cycle of the Professional Banking Diploma.
According to authorities of the Banking Institute of Liberia (BIL), these graduates come from eight of Liberia’s commercial banks and the Central Bank program of Liberia.
Speaking at the graduation program, BIL Director General Assistant Professor Richard S. Panton said the milestone did not occur in a vacuum but as a result of the sustained confidence and investment of the Central Bank of Liberia.
“This milestone did not occur in vacuum. It is as a result of the sustained confidence and investment of the Central Bank of Liberia and the Liberia Bankers Association (LBA) member institutions, the commitment of our highly qualified professional facilitators and the unwavering effort of our small but dedicated BIL team. To each of you, we are profoundly grateful,” DG Panton said.
He said since the launch of the BIL, he and his team have embarked on a focused and disciplined effort to develop it into a Center of Excellence in Banking and Financial Management training, gaining recognition not only in Liberia but throughout the sub-region and beyond.
Banking Institute Improves Training Courses
During the period under review, the Banking Institute of Liberia boasted of a comprehensive assessment of its curriculum to improve BIL training courses and address new demands in the banking and financial industry.
“A comprehensive assessment of the curriculum was carried out to improve BIL training courses and address new demands in the banking and financial industry,” he said.
The Banking Institute of Liberia mentioned that consequently, five courses were updated and reorganized to more accurately reflect the skills being taught and the professional standards expected of modern banking experts.
Among the courses Mr. Panton named Banking Tellering, which he said was replaced by Fintech and Digital Banking. Banking Operations was broadened to Banking Operations and Practices, Bank Branch Management was elevated to Bank Management and Strategic Leadership, and Customer Service was rephrased as Customer Relationship Management to highlight the importance of a key banking skill.
Also, Credit Analysis has been expanded to include Lending and Credit Administration, covering a broader range of credit practices and loan management. The introduction of the Banking Law and Regulation course reflects the Institute’s recognition that an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing banking operations is not optional but essential for every banking professional, regardless of role or seniority.
“These changes mark an important step in the institute’s efforts to establish its Certificate Program as a competitive and forward-looking qualification for Liberia’s banking industry,” Panton noted.
According to Mr. Panton, the review concluded with the launch of the Professional Banking Diploma Course, serving as a foundation for specialized areas and as a preparatory program for the Institute’s Chartered Bankers Program, which is offered in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
Authorities said the Diploma course is a rigorous, practical program that demands active engagement in banking and financial management, meeting the standards expected of senior professionals.
Mr. Panton said it includes four detailed modules, through which participants examine the entire financial system via Economics of Banking and Finance, covering banking principles, financial institutions, monetary and fiscal policies, financial accounting and liquidity management.
“The Banking Law and Regulations segment guided participants through Liberia’s legal and regulatory framework, including the Commercial Code, insolvency law, corporate fraud, and global supervisory standards,” the Banking Institute of Liberia Director General said.
BIL Urges Graduates to Carry Qualifications with Purpose
Mr. Panton said human capital development remains the cornerstone of sustainable growth in any economy and noted that when banking professionals are trained to world-class standards and equipped with both technical knowledge and professional ethics, the sector performs better, credit flows more responsibly and the financial system becomes a genuine engine of national development.
“Moving forward, BIL will further develop its program portfolio, establish international qualification partnerships, increase investments in research and sector publications and enhance our Center of Excellence framework to ensure BIL graduates remain competitive both within Liberia and across the region.”
He then called on the graduates to become ambassadors of the Banking Institute of Liberia and carry their qualifications with purpose and pride.
UBA Liberia Boss Calls for Continuous Learning
Meanwhile, the keynote speaker of the BIL graduation ceremony, UBA Liberia Managing Director Ayokunle Olajubu, praised the graduates for their dedication and hard work.
Mr. Olajubu encouraged the graduates to view their certificates as the beginning rather than the end of their professional journey, urging them to continue learning and developing their skills to meet the evolving demands of the banking sector.
The UBA leader said banking is rapidly evolving through digital transformation, regulatory reforms and changing customer expectations, and that the value of knowledge and professional competence cannot be overemphasized.
“Banking is rapidly evolving through digital transformation, regulatory reforms, changing customers’ expectations and that the value of knowledge and professional competence cannot be overemphasized,” Mr. Olajubu mentioned.
“Liberia’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience with steady economic growth, declining inflation and a more stable financial environment. And I must tell you, banks and bankers are the key ingredients for development in Liberia.”
Mr. Olajubu said the financial sector is undergoing a significant transformation, naming the introduction of mobile money and other digital platforms as engines for that change.
“Banking is about to change. Banking is going to be brought not only to the doorstep but to the palm of the people. And so we need to have people that are sound and can also help us get to this point.”
He said the graduates are expected to be trusted advisors, innovators and catalysts for economic growth, adding that their knowledge will help businesses grow, support entrepreneurs, facilitate investment and improve the financial well-being of individuals and communities across Liberia.
