In order to provide the much-needed thrust on financial inclusion, a flagship program called the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was announced by Hon. Prime Minister in his independence day address on 15th August 2014, with an objective to take banking services to the unbanked and under-banked areas. After the initial implementation of the program, over 12 crore bank accounts have been opened under the PMJDY. It is important to make these accounts active and operational. Business Correspondents / Business Facilitators (BC / BF) act as a bridge between Bank branches and the people in the area. BC / BF is the first point of contact and the front face of the bank branch to the people and they would help to make these accounts operational. A few field-level studies reveal that the BCs though well versed with technologies like handling POS devices, Micro ATMs Biometric devices, etc., are lacking in knowledge of basic banking products and services. It has, therefore, been felt necessary that the BCs need to be imparted the desired knowledge. Indian Banks Association has made it mandatory to certify BC Agents by IIB&F after 3 days of training. In this context, IIBF has launched a certificate examination with the following objectives.

Objectives: This course is aimed at providing the knowledge inputs and skill sets to BC / BFs. The objective of the course is, therefore, to provide basic knowledge in banking operations and help the BCs in developing an overall understanding of the following aspects :

1. The role/functions of banks.

2. The basics of banking operations and procedures.

3. Role and function of BC / BFs.

4. Financial advising and counseling.

5. PMJDY scheme.

Periodicity and Examination Centres :

A) Examination will be conducted on pre-announced dates published on the IIBF website. The periodicity of the examination will be depending upon the requirement of the banking industry.

B) List of Examination centers will be available on the website. (Institute will conduct the examination in those centers where there are 20 or more candidates.)