CAIIB ABFM Syllabus 2026, Check Detailed ABFM Syllabus & Pattern

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The Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) is an important exam for banking professionals who want to grow in their careers. One of its key papers, Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM), focuses on financial management concepts used in the banking sector. If you are planning to appear for the CAIIB ABFM exam, it is very important to clearly understand the syllabus before starting your preparation. This article will help you with the detailed CAIIB ABFM Syllabus 2026.

Which topics are included in the CAIIB ABFM Syllabus 2026?

The CAIIB ABFM Exam is one of the four compulsory papers within the CAIIB certification conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF). The syllabus is divided into four key modules, each covering important topics for effective decision-making and strategic management in banks.

  • Module D: Emerging Business Solutions – Discusses hybrid finance, startup finance, private equity, artificial intelligence, business analytics, green financing, and SPACs.
  • Module A: Management Process – Covers fundamentals of management, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.
  • Module B: Advanced Concepts of Financial Management – Focuses on financial strategies, capital investment, risk adjustment, and decision-making techniques.
  • Module C: Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions – Includes corporate valuations, discounted cash flow models, other valuation techniques, and the mechanics of mergers and acquisitions.

What is the CAIIB ABFM exam pattern 2026?

The candidates must note that there is no negative marking. ABFM Paper will have MCQs including the case lets/case studies. The detailed pattern for the CAIIB ABFM exam is given below:

SubjectNo. of QuestionsTotal MarksDuration
Advanced Business and Financial Management1001002 hours

Also Check: CAIIB Syllabus 2026

What are the modules covered under the CAIIB ABFM paper?

The CAIIB ABFM Syllabus 2026 is divided into four key modules. Below is a summary of the modules:

ModuleTopics Covered
Module AThe Management Process
Module BAdvanced Concepts of Financial Management
Module CValuation, Mergers & Acquisitions
Module DEmerging Business Solutions

What topics are covered in CAIIB ABFM Module A Management Process?

The syllabus for Module A of ABFM i.e. Management Process is given below:

ChaptersTopics
Basics of Management– Definition of Management
– The Management Process
– Functions of Management
– Importance of Management
– Management Thoughts & Approaches
– Management Challenges & Opportunities
– Introduction to Strategic Management
– Business Environment Analysis
Planning– Fundamentals of Planning
– Steps in Planning
– Importance of Planning
– Advantages and Disadvantages of Planning
– Management by Objectives (MBO)
– Plan Components
– Contingency Planning
– Forecasting & Decision Making
Organizing– Introduction and Fundamentals of Organizing
– Importance of Organisation
– Stages in Organising Process
– Principles of Organising
– Types of Organisations
– Organisation Structure, Charts, and Manuals
– Organisational Culture
– Authority & Responsibility
– Key Issues in Organisation Structure
– Organisational Change
– Conflict Dynamics
Staffing– Functions and Objectives of Staffing
– Nature and Facets of Staffing
– Significance of Staffing
– System Approach to Staffing
– Recruitment, Selection, Training, Retention, and Development
– Knowledge and Learning Management
– Performance Appraisal
– Human Resource Development (HRD)
Directing– Characteristics and Importance of Directing
– Elements of Directing
– Leadership
– Motivation
– Communication
– Supervision
Controlling– Basics and Characteristics of Controlling
– Advantages and Limitations of Controlling
– Types of Control Management
– Control Process
– Relation Between Planning and Control
– Control Techniques
– Control Techniques and Information Technology

Check: CAIIB Exam Date 2026

What topics are covered in CAIIB ABFM Module B Advanced Concepts of Financial Management?

The syllabus for Module B of Advanced Concepts of Financial Management is given below:

ChaptersTopics
Sources of Finance and Financial Strategies– Equity Capital
– Internal Accruals
– Preference Capital
– Term Loans
– Debentures
– Alternative Financing Strategies in the Context of Regulatory Requirements
Financial and Operating Leverages– Financial Leverage
– Degree of Financial Leverage and its Behaviour
– Operating Leverage
– Degree of Operating Leverage and its Behaviour
– Combined or Total Leverage
Capital Investment Decisions– Objective of Capital Investment Decisions
– Estimation of Project Cash Flows
– Forecasting and Relation to Capital Regulation (Short, Medium, Long Term)
– Relationship Between Sales, Production, and Functional Budgets
– Cash Forecasts
– Cost Analysis for Projects
– Methods of Investment Appraisal
– Social Cost Benefit Analysis
Capital Budgeting for International Project Investment Decisions– Foreign Investment Analysis
– Special Considerations: Foreign & Home Currency Cash Flows
– Foreign Currency Discount Rate Computation
– International Portfolio Investment and Institutional Constraints
– Direct and Indirect Channels for International Portfolio Investment
– Exchange and Country Risk
– Return and Risk of Foreign Investment
– Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM)
– Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT)
– International Capital Budgeting Issues in Overseas Projects
– Approaches for Evaluation of Overseas Projects
– Evaluation Methods
– Impact of Transfer Pricing
Adjustment of Risk and Uncertainty in Capital Budgeting Decision– Sources & Perspectives on Risk
– Sensitivity Analysis
– Scenario Analysis
– Hillier Model
– Simulation Analysis
– Decision Tree Analysis
– Corporate Risk Analysis
– Managing Risk
– Project Selection Under Risk
– Risk Analysis in Practice
Decision Making– Decision Making Using Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis
– Decision Making Using Relevant Cost Concepts
– Decision Making Using Activity-Based Costing (ABC)
– Ethical and Non-Financial Considerations Relevant to Decision Making

Also Check: How to Choose the Right Elective Paper

What topics are covered in CAIIB ABFM Module C Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions?

The syllabus for Module C of Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions is given below:

ChaptersTopics
Corporate Valuations– Approaches to Corporate Valuation
– Adjusted Book Value Approach
– Stock and Debt Approach
– Direct Comparison Approach
– Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Approach
– Steps Involved in Valuation Using DCF
Discounted Cash Flow Valuation– Estimating Inputs
– Approaches to Discounted Cash Flow Models
– Various DCF Models
– Dividend Discount Model (DDM)
– Applicability of DDM
Other Non-DCF Valuation Models– Relative Valuation Model
– Equity Valuation Multiples Model
– Enterprise Value Multiples Model
– Choosing the Right Multiples
– Book Value Approach Model
– Stock and Debt Approach
Special Cases of Valuation– Intangibles: Brand, Human Capital Valuation
– Real Estate Firms
– Start-up Firms
– Firms with Negative or Low Earnings
– Financial Service Companies
– Distressed Firms
– Valuation of Cash and Cross Holdings
– Warrants and Convertibles
– Cyclical & Non-Cyclical Companies
– Holding Companies
– E-commerce Firms
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Restructuring– Types of Transactions
– Reasons for Merger
– Mechanics of a Merger
– Costs and Benefits of a Merger
– Exchange Ratio in a Merger
– Purchase of a Division / Plant
– Takeovers
– Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs)
– Acquisition Financing
– Business Alliances
– Managing Acquisitions and Divestitures
– Holding Company & Demergers
– Deal Structuring and Financial Strategies
– Negotiations, Payment, and Legal Considerations
– Tax and Accounting Considerations
– Tax Reliefs and Benefits in Amalgamation (India)
– Financial Reporting of Business Combinations
– Deal Financing
– Financing of Cross-Border Acquisitions in India

Check: CAIIB Study Material

What topics are covered in CAIIB ABFM Module D Emerging Business Solutions?

The syllabus for Module D of Emerging Business Solutions is given below:

ChaptersTopics
Hybrid Finance – Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Securities
– Types of Hybrid Securities
– Preference Share Capital
– Features of Warrants
– Features of Convertible Debentures
– Differences Between Warrants and Convertible Debentures
– Valuation of Warrants
– Valuation of Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (Partly or Fully)
– Objectives of Issuing Warrants and Convertible Debentures
– Features of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB)
– Mezzanine Financing
– Innovative Hybrids
Start-Up Finance – Benefits to Startups Under the Startup Plan
– Startup Definition in India
– Challenges Faced by Startups
– State Startup Policies
– Pitch Presentation
– Programs and Competitions for Startups
– Tax Exemptions
– Funding Options
– Investor Outlook for Startups
– Funding Schemes and Programs
– International Challenges and Bridges
Private Equity and Venture Capital – Characteristics of Venture Capital Investments
– Key Distinctions Between Private Equity and Venture Capital
– Financing Options Through Venture Capital
– Investment in Private Equity
– Benefits of Private Equity
– Drawbacks of Private Equity
– Due Diligence
– Exit Strategies
Artificial Intelligence – History of Artificial Intelligence
– Applicability in Banking and Finance
– Future Scope of AI
– Neural Networks, Control Theory, and Cybernetics
– Rational Agents
– Motion and Manipulation
– Tools and Techniques of AI
– AI and Morality
Business Analytics as a Management Tool – Essentials of Business Analytics
– Types of Analytics
– Elements of Business Analytics
– Big Data Analytics
– Web and Mobile Analytics
– Comparing Web vs Mobile Analytics
– Importance of Business Analytics
Green and Sustainable Financing – ISO Standards for Green Finance
– Building Green Finance
– International Best Practices in Green Finance
– Public Policy in India
– Progress of Green Finance in India
– Challenges and Way Forward
– Growth of Regulatory Framework
– National Efforts Towards Green and Sustainable Financing
– RBI Views on Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance
Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) – Advantages and Disadvantages of SPAC
– SPAC Formation and Timelines
– The SPAC Merger
– Stakeholders and Characteristics of SPACs
– Process and Capital Structure
– Trust Account, Warrants, Forward Purchase
– IPO Agreements
– De-SPAC Process

What are the paper-wise CAIIB 2026 exam dates for the May-June cycle?

The CAIIB 2026 May-June cycle will be conducted online from 31st May 2026 to 21st June 2026. The details of the paper wise exam dates are as follows:

Paper / SubjectExam Date
Advanced Bank Management (ABM)31st May 2026
Bank Financial Management (BFM)7th June 2026
Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM)13th June 2026
Banking Regulations & Business Laws (BRBL)14th June 2026
Elective Paper (Rural Banking / HRM / IT & Digital Banking / Risk Management / Central Banking)21st June 2026

Also Download :

CAIIB Previous Year PapersDownload Link
Paper 1 (ABM)Download PDF
Paper 2 (BFM)Download PDF
Paper 3 (ABFM)Download PDF
Paper 4 (BRBL)Download PDF

What are the paper-wise exam dates for the November-December 2026 CAIIB cycle?

The CAIIB 2026 November-December cycle will be conducted online from 6th December 2026 to 27th December 2026. The details of the paper wise exam dates are as follows:

Paper / SubjectExam Date
Advanced Bank Management (ABM)6th December 2026
Bank Financial Management (BFM)12th December 2026
Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM)13th December 2026
Banking Regulations & Business Laws (BRBL)20th December 2026
Elective Paper (Rural Banking / HRM / IT & Digital Banking / Risk Management / Central Banking)27th December 2026

FAQs

Q1. What are the important topics in CAIIB ABFM Syllabus?

The CAIIB ABFM Syllabus consists of 4 modules and all the modules are important.

Q2. Which modules are included in CAIIB ABFM?

The CAIIB ABFM modules are the management process, advanced concept of financial management, valuations, mergers and acquisitions and emerging business solutions.