Review of the Enhanced Competency Framework for Banking Practitioners

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) informs all Authorized Institutions of enhancements to be brought forward for the Enhanced Competency Framework for Banking Practitioners (ECF) following a recent review. The ECF's structure will be re-configured to establish a single common Core Level and ten workstream-specific Professional Levels, consolidating existing standards and integrating qualifications within individual workstreams at the Professional Level. Work experience requirements will be realigned to one year for the Core Level and three years for the Professional Level (with at least two years specific to the relevant workstream), and ECF certifications can be retained despite job role changes. The HKMA will issue new ECF guidance by mid-2028, with new training courses expected to roll out in 2030; authorized institutions are advised to maintain current ECF training plans in the interim.

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55th Floor, Two International Finance Centre, 香港中環金融街 8 號國際金融中心 2 期 55 樓 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong 網址：www.hkma.gov.hk Website: www.hkma.gov.hk Our Ref.: B9/183C 23 September 2026 The Chief Executive All Authorized Institutions Dear Sir/Madam, Review of the Enhanced Competency Framework for Banking Practitioners I am writing to inform you that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”) recently completed a review of the Enhanced Competency Framework for Banking Practitioners (“ECF”). 1 Enhancements to be brought forward The review focused on the overall structure, experience and certification requirements, and qualification taxonomy of the ECF. This was with a view to ensuring the ECF’s effectiveness in supporting the development of well-rounded and future-ready professionals for the banking sector. In consultation with the Talent Committee of HKAB, the Future Banking Committee of HKIB, and HKIB as the ECF Administrator, five enhancements are proposed:
Overall structure

Re-configure the Core Level to encompass a single, common (i.e. not
workstream-specific) set of competency standards that are essential for banking practitioners in general, preparing them for a broader range of future career development pathways. This also enables closer alignment with the HKIB Certified Banker programme. 1 The review followed through an action item recommended in the “Capacity Building for Future Banking, 2026–2030” study, which was published jointly by the HKMA, the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (“HKIB”) and the Hong Kong Association of Banks (“HKAB”) in August 2025.

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Source: Hong Kong Monetary Authority — original document · Summary generated with machine assistance and reviewed before publication; the authoritative text is the regulator's original document. How RegAlert works