Safety and Soundness Certification

Objectives:

• To achieve recognition of the advanced expertise required to conduct and lead complex, high-risk, or specialized examinations, and to serve as a subject matter expert in evaluating institutional risk across multiple supervisory areas.
• To promote continuing education and the advancement of specialized knowledge, enabling examiners to adapt to evolving risks, regulatory expectations, and industry developments.
• To emphasize the need for professionalism, leadership, and mentorship in developing less experienced staff and shaping examination strategy in the field.
• To enhance and maintain the quality of job performance, analytical depth, and supervisory insight of examiners responsible for leading complex examinations and contributing to broader supervisory strategies.

The CSBE certification is step 4 in the CSBS bank safety and soundness credentialing program for those without managerial and/or supervisory responsibilities. Candidates for the CSBE designation must provide evidence of the following:

• EIC experience on at least eight (8) full-scope examinations, including at least two (2) large, complex, or problem entities, or an agency-approved equivalency demonstrating comparable leadership of complex scope, based on the agency’s size, charter mix, and availability of EIC assignments. Demonstrated mentoring of entry/intermediate examiners during examinations.
• Satisfactory completion of the following course offerings or equivalent:
  • Requirements for the COE, CCE, and CEIC designations and
  • One or more specialty courses: Large Bank Examination School, BSA/AML Examiner School, Leadership Effectiveness and Development (LEAD), Graduate School of Banking, or another recognized advanced or specialized course relevant to the field.

Applicants must ensure that they meet all certification requirements and will then complete an attestation of successful job performance and mastery of job-related skills, providing a thorough written response for each competency category. Their supervisor will then review and affirm the attestation to ensure accuracy and completeness. The core competencies are an integral part of the certification, and a high degree of reliance is placed on the attestation for determining compliance with these skill areas. The supervisor reviewing the application form should be familiar with the applicant’s experience, performance, and skills/abilities and be confident that the applicant meets all the requirements outlined in the form.

TECHNICAL - Provides leadership in the examination process:

• Effectively plans and leads large, complex, or multi-entity examinations.
• Utilizes advanced examination systems and analytical tools as applicable (SES, internal risk dashboards, analytics platforms).
• Conducts data analysis and interpretation, including identifying patterns, trends, and anomalies in financial statements, loan portfolios, or operational reports.
• Independently identifies examination challenges and develops solutions consistent with regulatory standards.
• Organizes and delegates assignments effectively; monitors progress of assigned personnel to ensure accuracy and timely completion of work.
• Supervises the organization and documentation of workpapers according to prescribed procedures.
• Designs or tailors work programs to address unique institution risk profiles.
• Oversees the entire examination process, including joint examinations with multiple state or federal agencies and examinations of institutions with multiple lines of business.

CONCEPTUAL - Provides effective evaluation of overall financial institution activities:

• Collects and analyzes examination data to draw accurate conclusions. Adjusts the scope of examination as required.
• Integrates complex findings into actionable recommendations aligned to priorities.
• Assesses internal controls, governance, and risk management frameworks at an advanced level.
• Applies specialized techniques (e.g., liquidity stress perspectives, portfolio trend analysis, emerging risk scanning) to inform ratings and supervisory strategy.

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE - Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations.

• Applies state/federal rules to complex operational, credit, and market risk profiles.
• Evaluates compliance with safety and soundness standards, consumer protection, and licensing requirements.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of regulatory frameworks, guidance, and emerging trends affecting banking operations.
• Recognizes and escalates potential violations, compliance deficiencies, or unsafe practices to supervisory personnel.
• Reviews policies and practices to determine whether they align with regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Assesses risk mitigation strategies and evaluates internal controls in line with regulatory expectations.

COMMUNICATIONS - Provides effective oral and written communications:

• Conducts meetings with management and boards; negotiates and resolves issues professionally.
• Coordinates with other authorities in planning/execution; facilitates cross-functional collaboration.
• Produces and supports others in developing clear, risk-focused reports of examination.
• Supervises personnel on assigned examinations, ensuring adherence to procedures and policies.
• Coaches and mentors less experienced examiners, guiding application of legal/regulatory requirements and examination strategy.

RECERTIFICATION

Every three years, participants will be required to provide evidence of the successful completion of a minimum of 63 continuing education hours (CEH). If an examiner exceeds this requirement, up to 14 CEHs may be carried over into the new three-year term. Continuing education should be selected with the goal of maintaining, improving, or expanding the examiner’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants are also required to review and remain in compliance with updates to certifications. Should a material change related to the certification occur, additional training may be required to maintain certification.