Our history and heritage

LIBF became Walbrook Institute London. Our new name honours our London heritage and our commitment to innovation, accessibility, and the future of education. As Walbrook, we continue to provide flexible, online degrees – helping students worldwide achieve their ambitions.

Learn more about our new name >

LIBF’s educational activities were acquired by the IU Group, with training and qualifications continuing under LIBF Limited, a UK subsidiary of IU. Meanwhile, LIBF’s charitable status was maintained independently as The London Foundation for Banking & Finance (LFBF).

We launched the Centre for Governance, Risk and Regulation, connecting an international network of experts to provide training and thought leadership in financial services.

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated our shift towards digital learning. We introduced remote invigilation for exams and expanded our digital content, including webinars, podcasts, and videos.

To mark our 140th anniversary, we launched a year of celebrations – including a gala event, the publication of our third book, Banking on Change, and the establishment of two research centres.

We became an approved apprenticeship training provider and introduced our first degree-level apprenticeship programme, supporting careers in the banking industry.

A new era began as we rebranded to The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF). We also launched the Henry Grunfeld Library at our Lovat Lane campus.

We were granted University College status and became ifs University College. A new campus at Lovat Lane in London was opened, creating a dedicated space for full-time students.

A transformational year – we gained Taught Degree Awarding Powers (TDAP) and launched full-time degree programmes at our City of London campus, alongside expanded professional qualifications.

We became the first educational body in financial services to introduce electronic assessment for regulatory qualifications, making exams more accessible and efficient.

To reflect our expanding focus, we rebranded as the Institute of Financial Services (IFS). This year also saw the launch of CeMAP, the first qualification for UK mortgage professionals.

Innovation in education continued as we developed the first professional award linked to a university degree, bridging the gap between academic study and industry qualifications.

A major milestone in financial education – we merged with the Chartered Building Societies’ Institute, expanding our expertise and influence in banking and financial services.

We gained our Royal Charter and became the Chartered Institute of Bankers, reinforcing our role in setting professional standards and advancing financial education.

The Institute of Bankers was founded with 1,000 members from across the UK and overseas. By the end of the year, membership had doubled to 2,000, reflecting the strong demand for professional banking standards.