CERTIFICATE IN PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICS

DEVELOP YOUR KNOWLEDGE RELATING TO

THE PERSONAL AND PRIVATE BANKING

ENVIRONMENT IN A DIGITAL AGE

Level: SCQF Level 9/EQF Level 5/6

Module Version 1

AUDIENCE: 3. examine the impact on banks, their customers, and LEARNING RESOURCES:
their employees, of a range of legislation and regulation
Current or aspiring bank employees; although not on current banking practice and the extent to which it is Learning resources include:
essential, prior banking qualifications, for example the designed to rebuild trust and confidence in banks
Institute’s Professional Banker Certificate and Professional • an interactive study guide in pdf format
Banker Diploma, would be an advantage, as would 4. differentiate between several views on the
• text books and online resources for core reading
knowledge of formal academic methods. responsibilities of a business, and assess key ethical
issues and challenges facing the banking sector • recommended further reading and resources..
AIM: 5. critically assess a range of theories relating to the ethics ASSESSMENT:
of leadership and corporate governance in banking
To enhance the learner’s understanding of professionalism Professionalism and Ethics is assessed by a 6,000 word
and ethics and the implications of professionalism and 6. critically evaluate, from an ethical perspective, the
work-based assignment designed to transform theory
ethics for banking in a digital age. The learner will develop impact, and potential impact, of environmental factors
into practice and ensure a close fit between professional
their skills in relation to thinking critically about how and technological developments on current and future
qualification and business need. Completing the
ethical behaviour can be encouraged in banking, whether banking practice.
assignment will enable the learner to demonstrate their
through codes of ethics, regulation, or through good achievement of the module learning outcomes, as well
leadership. The learner will explore how ethical demands DELIVERY METHODOLOGY:
as their understanding of professionalism and ethics in a
might change with future developments, such as digital Professionalism and Ethics has six units. The learning digital age and their application of professional values
innovations and growing environmental pressures. approach includes: and behaviours.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: • reading and self-study Formative assessment is provided in the form of online
• self-assessment and reflective activities objective testing at the end of each unit.
On completion of this module, the learner will be able to:
• case studies
1. critically reflect on the moral considerations that
apply to bankers which derive from the nature of • online discussion forums
bank products and services, and the ways in which • online knowledge checks at the end of each unit
professionalising banking could help ensure those • applying learning at work
responsibilities are fulfilled • reviewing and reflecting on current practice
2. differentiate between a range of theories and • creating a personal development plan to develop
approaches to ethical thinking and assess the extent to the learner’s skills and further enhance their
which these could help resolve ethical dilemmas and professional practice.
ethical arguments
3 | Module Specification: Certificate in Personal and Private Banking

Module Version 1 (Cont’d.)

UNIT 1: BANKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Indicative content

The learner will be able to: The learner can:

LO1: Critically reflect on the moral considerations that 1.1 Assess the defining characteristics of a profession Understanding the nature of a profession
apply to bankers which derive from the nature of and the extent to which banking is, or should be,
Banking as a profession
bank products and services, and the ways in which a profession.
professionalising banking could help ensure those Chartered Banker Institute, the CB:PSB, and the
1.2 Identify the qualities that define a professional
responsibilities are fulfilled. drive for professionalism
banker and explain the meaning of key concepts
used in the Chartered Banker Institute’s Code of Chartered Banker Institute’s Code of Professional
Professional Conduct. Conduct
1.3 Assess the extent to which employers and Fair treatment of customers
professional bodies can help instil ethical values
Integrity
in their employees and members.
Using codes of ethics to instil ethical behaviour
1.4 Explain why the financial services sector is regulated
more tightly than other sectors. Trust
1.5 Reflect on the moral considerations a bank has when Considering transactions from a moral perspective;
selling complex financial products and services the moral obligation of the seller
to customers.
4 | Module Specification: Certificate in Personal and Private Banking

Module Version 1 (Cont’d.)

UNIT 2: ETHICAL THEORY AND ETHICAL REASONING

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Indicative content

The learner will be able to: The learner can:

LO2: Differentiate between a range of theories and 2.1 Differentiate between ethical and legal requirements. What is ethics?
approaches to ethical thinking and assess the
2.2 Differentiate between the claims of, and assess the Ethics and the law
extent to which these could help resolve
objections to: radical subjectivism; moral relativism;
ethical dilemmas and ethical arguments. Radical subjectivism
moral objectivism; consequentialism; deontology;
and virtue theory. Moral relativism
2.3 Distinguish between the concepts of validity Moral objectivism
and soundness.
Ethical reasoning
2.4 Assess the extent to which making a constructive
Consequentialism (including utilitarianism)
moral argument could help to resolve
moral disagreements. Deontology
2.5 Reflect on the ways in which ethical reasoning could Virtue ethics
be used to challenge perceived unethical behaviour
at work.
5 | Module Specification: Certificate in Personal and Private Banking

Module Version 1 (Cont’d.)

UNIT 3: REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Indicative content

The learner will be able to: The learner can:

LO3: Examine the impact on banks, their customers, 3.1 Outline the scope of legislation and regulation that is What is regulation?
and their employees, of a range of legislation and of particular significance to banking.
Rules and principles in banking regulation
regulation on current banking practice and the
3.2 Assess ethical issues surrounding regulation and the
extent to which it is designed to rebuild trust and Private sector regulation
justification for different regulatory practices.
confidence in banks.
Why regulate the banking sector?
3.3 Evaluate the key arguments for and against the
regulation and de-regulation of the banking sector. Motivations to regulate the financial sector
3.4 Examine a range of theories about how and why we Theories of regulation
should regulate.
Law, morality, ethics and regulation
3.5 Assess the extent to which regulation and legislation
can help rebuild trust and confidence in banks.
6 | Module Specification: Certificate in Personal and Private Banking

Module Version 1 (Cont’d.)

UNIT 4: BUSINESS ETHICS

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Indicative content

The learner will be able to: The learner can:

LO4: Differentiate between several views on the 4.1 Differentiate between, and assess, several views on The purpose and responsibilities of business
responsibilities of a business, and assess key the responsibilities of a business.
Ethical stance
ethical issues and challenges facing the
4.2 Assess the ways in which the responsibilities of a
banking sector. The responsibilities of employees
business relate to the rights and responsibilities
of employees. The Senior Managers and Certification Regime
4.3 Identify and assess key ethical issues and challenges Ethics in the financial sector
facing the banking sector.
The rights of employees
4.4 Identify key ethical issues that can arise in advertising
The ethics of advertising
and international business.
International business ethics
4.5 Examine key ethical questions about the status
of whistleblowing. Whistleblowing
7 | Module Specification: Certificate in Personal and Private Banking

Module Version 1 (Cont’d.)

UNIT 5: LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, CULTURE AND CONDUCT

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Indicative content

The learner will be able to: The learner can:

LO5: Critically assess a range of theories relating to the 5.1 Compare and critically assess different views The ethics of leadership
ethics of leadership and corporate governance of leadership.
Ethical issues in leadership
in banking.
5.2 Assess the extent to which different views of
Leadership case studies
leadership provide useful insights to what makes
a good leader and what makes an ethically Corporate culture
good leader.
UK banking culture
5.3 Apply a theoretical understanding of leadership to a
Conduct and conduct risk
range of cases.
Corporate governance:
5.4 Identify the ways in which organisational culture can
affect ethical conduct. • governance failures in banking
5.5 Explain what is meant by corporate governance and • governance and culture
identify the principles of good corporate governance.
8 | Module Specification: Certificate in Personal and Private Banking

Module Version 1 (Cont’d.)

UNIT 6: THE FUTURE OF BANKING: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Indicative content

The learner will be able to: The learner can:

LO6: Critically evaluate, from an ethical perspective, the 6.1 Apply a non-theoretical approach to a range of A non-theoretical approach to novel ethical problems
impact, and potential impact, of environmental emerging ethical problems affecting banking in a
Understanding environmental problems: the tragedy
factors and technological developments on current digital age.
of the commons
and future banking practice.
6.2 Define ‘the tragedy of the commons’ and critically
Understanding the solution: the concept of sustainability
evaluate possible solutions to it.
Sustainability and future generations; intergenerational
6.3 Analyse the concepts of sustainability and
justice
intergenerational justice.
Environmental responsibilities of businesses and banks
6.4 Evaluate the main arguments that are in favour
of banks having moral obligations towards Digital innovations and issues of responsibility
the environment.
Ethical issues in automation and artificial intelligence
6.5 Identify and assess several distinct ethical issues
arising from the increased use of technology in
banking in a digital age.
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