For Individuals
For Teams
  • CBCA program: 58 total courses, 19 required for exam eligibility
  • Self-paced & 100% online
  • Get full CBCA program, community, & more with a CFI membership
  • Get this program and CFI's full training catalog for your organization
  • Manage learning, create custom paths & measure progress
  • For teams of 2 or more users

CBCA® Program Overview

Looking to become a certified credit analyst? CFI’s Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA®) Certification Program propels your commercial lending career with essential skills for starting or advancing a commercial lending career. Learn advanced underwriting for more profitable deals through our purpose-built curriculum, offering 50+ banking courses, case studies, and a resource library with financial models and risk assessment tools.

This comprehensive program supports growth in roles like commercial banker, credit analyst, risk manager, or private lender, covering financial analysis, credit structuring, and qualitative skills such as management and industry analysis, effective business and credit writing, and sales and relationship management. Elevate your career as a world-class commercial lending professional with CFI's CBCA® Certification Program.

What's in the Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst Program?

58 courses

Consisting of 2930+ lessons

310+ interactive exercises

Learn by doing with guided simulations

Blockchain certificate

To verify your skills

500,000+ 5-star ratings

Best-in-class training, as rated by you

Earning Your Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst Certification

Step 1.

Prep Courses

Optional

Choose from 11 optional courses to learn or review the fundamentals.

Careers in Commercial Banking
4.9 (262 Ratings)
51min
51min
Introduction to Banking
4.8 (455 Ratings)
53min
53min
Banking Products and Services
4.9 (187 Ratings)
2h 11min
2h 11min
Accounting Fundamentals
4.9 (7,488 Ratings)
2h 28min
2h 28min
Forms of Business Structure
4.8 (257 Ratings)
57min
57min
Fundamentals of Credit
4.9 (506 Ratings)
1h 14min
1h 14min
Analyzing Growth Drivers & Business Risks
4.9 (368 Ratings)
1h 6min
1h 6min
Excel Fundamentals - Formulas for Finance
4.8 (4,948 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
Pitch Deck Essentials for Lenders
5 (35 Ratings)
1h 11min
1h 11min
Introduction to Agribusiness
4.9 (35 Ratings)
1h 4min
1h 4min
Excel Fundamentals - Quick Start Guide
4.9 (216 Ratings)
2h 33min
2h 33min
See All Prep Courses
Step 2.

Core Courses

Complete 16 required core courses to build your skill set in commercial banking & credit analyst.

5 Cs of Credit
4.9 (172 Ratings)
44min
44min
Reading Business Financial Information
4.9 (67 Ratings)
1h 36min
1h 36min
Assessing Drivers of Business Growth
4.9 (62 Ratings)
45min
45min
Evaluating a Business Plan
4.9 (61 Ratings)
1h 15min
1h 15min
Assessing Management
4.8 (40 Ratings)
57min
57min
Cash Flow Cycles and Analysis
4.9 (49 Ratings)
1h 2min
1h 2min
Financial Analysis for Credit
4.9 (46 Ratings)
2h 50min
2h 50min
3-Statement Modeling
4.8 (972 Ratings)
3h 15min
3h 15min
Loan Security
4.9 (39 Ratings)
50min
50min
Loan Covenants
4.9 (44 Ratings)
1h 16min
1h 16min
Credit Administration and Documentation
4.9 (37 Ratings)
32min
32min
Loan Pricing
4.7 (39 Ratings)
1h 47min
1h 47min
Account Monitoring and Warning Signs
4.8 (49 Ratings)
54min
54min
Effective Business Writing
4.9 (63 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
Completing a Credit Application
4.9 (34 Ratings)
1h 19min
1h 19min
Professional Ethics
4.9 (5,042 Ratings)
50min
50min
Hide All Core Courses
Step 3.

Elective Courses

Choose a minimum of 3 electives (out of 25 available) to master more advanced topics and specialized lending concepts.

Commercial Mortgages
4.9 (22 Ratings)
2h 4min
2h 4min
Lending to Complex Structures
4.8 (6 Ratings)
2h 7min
2h 7min
Retail, Restaurant, & Franchise Lending
5 (4 Ratings)
1h 45min
1h 45min
Equipment Finance
4.8 (12 Ratings)
1h 23min
1h 23min
Syndicated Lending
5 (26 Ratings)
1h 16min
1h 16min
Construction Finance Fundamentals
4.9 (19 Ratings)
1h 15min
1h 15min
Commercial Banking - Debt Modeling
4.9 (12 Ratings)
1h 44min
1h 44min
Real Estate Fundamentals
4.8 (55 Ratings)
1h 23min
1h 23min
Asset-Based Lending & Alternative Finance
5 (8 Ratings)
1h 51min
1h 51min
Venture Debt
5 (3 Ratings)
2h 14min
2h 14min
Private Banking
5 (16 Ratings)
2h 9min
2h 9min
Lending to Medical Professionals
5 (3 Ratings)
2h 7min
2h 7min
Profitable Lead Generation
4.9 (8 Ratings)
1h 35min
1h 35min
ESG for Commercial Lenders
5 (6 Ratings)
1h 39min
1h 39min
Problem Loans
4.2 (5 Ratings)
1h 26min
1h 26min
Converting Leads to Customers - Negotiation & Closing
5 (3 Ratings)
1h 44min
1h 44min
Trade Finance
4.8 (9 Ratings)
1h 39min
1h 39min
Operational Modeling
4.9 (240 Ratings)
3h 45min
3h 45min
Corporate & Business Strategy
5 (825 Ratings)
2h 24min
2h 24min
Monthly Cash Flow Modeling
4.9 (905 Ratings)
1h 10min
1h 10min
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Modeling
4.9 (107 Ratings)
2h 41min
2h 41min
Securitized Products
4.9 (9 Ratings)
1h 45min
1h 45min
Origination Fundamentals - Debt Capital Markets Perspective
4.9 (14 Ratings)
2h 11min
2h 11min
Agriculture Lending Fundamentals
4.7 (3 Ratings)
1h 17min
1h 17min
Using IBISWorld to Analyze and Benchmark a Business
5 (3 Ratings)
1h 1min
1h 1min
See All Elective Courses
Step 4.

Case Study Challenges

Optional

These case study challenges allow you to apply your knowledge and skills by solving real-world problems.

Woodchucks Ltd. - Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate
4.8 (12 Ratings)
50min
50min
RockCrusher Rentals
4.9 (12 Ratings)
1h 5min
1h 5min
Rocky Mountain Holdings Ltd. - Commercial Mortgage
4.8 (25 Ratings)
57min
57min
Modeling Taxes for Different Business Structures
5 (1 Ratings)
1h 1min
1h 1min
Widgets Inc. - Adjusting a Business Owner’s Net Worth
5 (3 Ratings)
42min
42min
Boss Brewing Inc. – Connecting Capital Structure & Credit Structure
4.6 (5 Ratings)
55min
55min
See All Case Study Challenges
Step 5.

Step 5: Final Exam

After completing the required courses, take a final exam in credit and lending (with a minimum passing grade of 70%) to earn your program certification.

Step 6.

Step 6: Get CBCA® Certified

Congratulations! Upon completion of the program, you will receive a blockchain-verified digital certificate with your new credentials.

Skills & Learning Objectives in Banking & Credit Analysis

1
39%
Financial Analysis
2
26%
Credit Structure & Documentation
3
16%
Management & Business Analysis
4
12%
Risk Management
5
7%
Industry Analysis
1
2
3
4
5
  1. 1.
    39%
    Financial Analysis
  2. 2.
    26%
    Credit Structure & Documentation
  3. 3.
    16%
    Management & Business Analysis
  4. 4.
    12%
    Risk Management
  5. 5.
    7%
    Industry Analysis

Financial Analysis

  • Understand and project cash flow cycles and a borrower’s working capital funding gap
  • Build a dynamic, logically designed, well structured 3-statement financial model
  • Calculate a borrower risk rating based on historical financial results

Credit Structure & Documentation

  • Recommend appropriate lending structures based on client needs, within the context of the financial institution’s credit policies
  • Explain the administrative process behind credit documentation and work with specific examples of loan agreements and guarantees
  • Complete a formal credit application, step-by-step

Management & Business Analysis

  • Identify best practices and strategies to assess a businesses’ management team
  • Interpret and analyze a borrower’s business plan
  • Compare different forms of business structure and define the unique risks associated with lending to each

Risk Management

  • Recommend collateral security structures to mitigate the risk of loan loss for a lender
  • Define different loan covenants and recommend appropriate uses
  • Identify early warning signs with potential problem accounts

Industry Analysis

  • Explain how macroeconomic factors may affect a borrower’s ability to service debt obligations into the future
  • Recommend adjustments to credit structures based on industry-specific risks
  • Explore industry data providers for sources of benchmarking information

Courses Taught by Banking & Credit Experts

Lisa Dorian

Lisa Dorian

Lisa Dorian is Co-Founder, and formerly Chief Risk Officer and Managing Director, of CFI. As a finance executive, she gained extensive experience in governance, risk, and compliance, as well as business process and strategy.
Kyle Peterdy

Kyle Peterdy

Kyle is VP, Commercial Banking & Credit with CFI. Kyle’s background is in commercial lending, including real estate transactions and construction project financing, where he spent significant time assessing physical environmental risks.
Tim Vipond, FMVA

Tim Vipond, FMVA

Tim is the Co-Founder and CEO of CFI Education with an extensive background in entrepreneurship, financial analysis, and investment banking.
Scott Powell

Scott Powell

Scott is the Co-Founder of CFI. Over the past 30 years, he has focused on designing and delivering learning solutions for clients in the financial services sector, particularly in the areas of commercial banking, investment banking, capital markets, and asset management.
Gabriel Lip

Gabriel Lip

Gabe is a subject matter expert at CFI and was a commercial lender at TD Bank with 15 years of experience. He recently managed a $100 million portfolio of higher-risk and non-performing credits at the restructuring and insolvency group.

Careers in Commercial Banking & Credit Analysis

Over 85% of executives, supervisors, and HR professionals agree that certified individuals bring value, gain credibility, and are seen as top performers.
* Source

  • Risk Manager & Credit Adjudicator

    Risk Manager & Credit Adjudicator

    Assess and approve transactions for banks and other financial institutions.
  • Commercial Loan Broker

    Commercial Loan Broker

    Analyze and package deals more effectively to facilitate quicker turnarounds and better terms for clients.
  • Private Lender

    Private Lender

    Work with capital providers and family offices to underwrite more effective credit transactions, including commercial real estate financing and asset-based lending.
  • Credit Analyst

    Credit Analyst

    Expand your knowledge and expertise to work in corporate or commercial banking, as well as rating agencies.
  • Commercial Loan Officer

    Commercial Loan Officer

    Work with owner-operators and C-level executives on behalf of financial institutions to manage borrowing.

The CBCA®️ program has upskilled teams at:

What Our Students Say

Over 75% of CFI learners report improved productivity or competency within weeks.

The best course to have in depth knowledge of Credit analysis. I would recommend this course to all who are in process to learn credit analysis.

Abhishek Choudhry

CBCA is a very relevant certification for professionals who are or aspire to be in Commercial Banking and for people who want to have a general understanding of finance.

Vikram Singh

I found the CBCA as one of the best certificates in banking, and I recommend all Relationship Managers in SME/Corporate banking, and the credit risk assessors to take this designation.

Subhi Ghazal

All courses of the CBCA program were provided in a very clear and easily understandable way. The lecturers were covering the subjects in a very effective manner. The design of the presentations looks very pleasant too.  

Andrii

Frequently Asked Questions

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.

What is the CBCA® certification and who is it designed for?
The Commercial Banking & Credit Analyst (CBCA®) Certification is designed for students and professionals pursuing careers in commercial banking, credit analysis, risk management, or lending. It’s a strong fit for anyone who wants to build practical skills to evaluate creditworthiness, structure loans, and manage client relationships.
What are the admission requirements for the CBCA® program?
There are no formal prerequisites to enroll in the CBCA® Certification. The program is open to beginners and experienced professionals alike. All you need is a computer, Excel 2016 or newer, and an internet connection to complete the online training and exercises. You have the option to take prep courses in areas such as Excel, accounting, commercial banking, and credit.
How long does it take to complete the CBCA®, and how flexible is the program?
Most learners complete the CBCA® Certification in 4-6 months, though you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule. The program is fully online and self-paced, so you can learn at your own time and revisit materials anytime for the duration of your annual subscription.
Is the CBCA® certification recognized worldwide by employers?
Yes. The CBCA® Certification is blockchain-verified and globally recognized by employers in banking, lending, and finance. With alumni in over 170 countries, this credential helps professionals stand out in commercial banking, credit, and risk management roles.
What career opportunities can the CBCA® help me pursue?
The CBCA® program prepares you for roles such as Credit Analyst, Commercial Banker, Relationship Manager, Risk Officer, and Loan Officer. By mastering skills in financial analysis, credit evaluation, and loan structuring, you’ll graduate with the job-ready expertise needed to succeed in lending and credit-focused careers.
How does CFI ensure the CBCA® training is practical and job-ready?
The CBCA® curriculum is designed by commercial banking professionals and built around real-world case studies and interactive exercises. You’ll practice the same analysis and credit evaluation methods used on the job, ensuring you graduate with skills that can be applied immediately in client-facing roles.
How are CBCA® exams conducted, and how do I earn my certificate?
Exams are taken online and include multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and Excel-based questions. You’ll need to pass each course with at least 80%, and you can retake exams as needed. After completing the curriculum and final exam, you’ll earn a blockchain-verified CBCA® certificate to share with employers and on LinkedIn. See more details on the CBCA™ final exam.
Are CFI courses accredited?
Yes. CFI is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and recognized by CPA institutions in Canada and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) in the U.S. for continuing professional education (CPE) credits. Accreditation ensures your training meets high professional standards. You can find more information here.
How much does the CBCA® certification cost, and what’s included with my subscription?
The CBCA® Certification is included in CFI’s annual subscription plans, which give you unlimited access to all courses, programs, and future updates during your subscription. There are no hidden fees; everything you need to complete the FMVA® and earn your credential is included.
What kind of learner support and career resources does CFI provide during the program?
CFI courses are designed for self-paced learning, but you’ll have access to email support for technical and general questions. Learners in the Full Immersion plan also receive premium benefits like one-on-one email feedback from instructors, instant help with AI Tutor, and personalized model feedback. All learners gain access to CFI’s global community, career tools, and free resources to help you apply your skills and take the next step in your career. You can learn on the go with the CFI Mobile App—this course is mobile-friendly and accessible on both smartphones and tablets.

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.

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