Practical finance education for working adults and career switchers

Elements of Banking — a one-year, three-semester flagship program

A rigorous, industry-informed program covering retail & commercial banking, capital markets, risk management, compliance, financial statements, lending, payments, and digital banking — built for people who will actually work in finance, not just talk about it.

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Duration: 12 months (3 semesters)
Format: Hybrid — evenings + optional weekend intensives
Credential: Professional Diploma

Fast facts

Industry-connected, career-first

Built with hiring managers and front-line bankers to make graduates job-ready on day one. Strong employer network and placement assistance.

Intake: Jan, May, Sep
Avg class size: 24
Practicum: Capstone placement

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Elements of Banking — Program overview

One-year intensive divided into three semesters. Each semester pairs core lectures with labs and a short project. The capstone semester places students in real employer projects.

Semester structure

Semester 1

Foundations of Banking & Financial Systems
Financial Reporting & Statement Analysis
Personal & SME Banking Operations

Semester 2

Corporate & Commercial Lending
Payments, Treasury & Cash Management
Risk Management & Prudential Standards

Semester 3

Capital Markets Primer & Trading Simulation
Regulatory Compliance & AML
Capstone Practicum: Employer Project

Who should apply

Career changers, junior professionals, operations staff aiming for advancement, fintech product managers, recent grads seeking functionally-focused skills.

Modular micro-credentials

Short standalone credentials available for specific skills: Payments Operations, Credit Analysis, Financial Modelling, and AML Fundamentals. Stackable into the diploma.

Admissions snapshot

Admissions are rolling. We evaluate work experience, motivation, and a short numeracy assessment. Scholarships available for qualifying applicants.

Tuition: CAD 14,500
Duration: 12 months
Format: Hybrid

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Employer partners

We partner with leading banks, boutique asset managers and payments firms across Toronto for placements and guest lecturing.

Major Bank Payments Fintech Boutique AM

Faculty & Industry Practitioners

Practitioners teach alongside academics. Short bios emphasize functional experience and recent roles.

Dr. Eleanor Park

Former Chief Risk Officer, Commercial Bank

Focus: risk frameworks, capital adequacy, stress testing, enterprise risk management.

Marco Santos

Payments Product Lead, Global Fintech

Focus: real-time payments architecture, API-first banking, and product design.

Aisha Rahman

Former Corporate Lending Manager

Focus: credit analysis, relationship management, SME lending.

Career outcomes & student voices

"The Elements of Banking gave me a practical toolkit to move from retail into a payments product role. The capstone with a fintech partner was decisive."

— Jordan L., Class of 2024

"The simulations are brutal but fair. You leave knowing how to price a loan, manage liquidity and read a balance sheet in minutes."

— Priya M., Class of 2023

Outcomes

70% of graduates placed within 6 months
Average entry-level salary uplift: 32%
Employers: banks, fintechs, payment processors

Admissions & financing

Applications are rolling. We accept international students for non-degree professional diplomas. Flexible payment plans and employer sponsorship arrangements available; limited scholarships for career changers and underrepresented groups.

Application requirements

Resume and statement of purpose (500 words)
Two professional references (or one academic + one professional)
Short numeracy assessment (online — 30 minutes)