The dual-engine strategy

Client profile

A powerhouse in the EMEA banking sector, this global investment bank provides critical corporate and investment services across borders. They operate in a high-pressure, high-stakes environment where knowledge isn't just power—it's currency.

The mission

In a rapidly evolving market, the bank faced a complex mandate: maintain rigorous standards in core financial technicals while simultaneously upskilling the workforce in the new language of global business—Sustainability.

The challenge: scaling excellence across borders

For a workforce spanning multiple regions and diverse job functions—from fresh analysts to seasoned front-office dealmakers—a "one-size-fits-all" training program would fail.

The L&D team faced three critical hurdles:

• The Engagement Gap: How do you get time-poor bankers to engage with voluntary learning?
• The Sustainability Deficit: How do you move ESG from a "nice-to-have" to a core competency?
• The Compliance Burden: How do you streamline CPD (Continuing Professional Development) so it feels like growth, not admin?

The solution: a “life-cycle” learning ecosystem

The bank partnered with xUnlocked to deploy a dual-platform strategy (Finance Unlocked & Sustainability Unlocked), creating a seamless learning journey that evolves with the employee's career.

1. "From Day One" Integration
   Sustainability wasn't treated as an afterthought. It was woven into the DNA of the onboarding process. Every new joiner now engages with sustainable finance concepts immediately, establishing a baseline of ESG literacy before they even hit their desk.
2. The Tiered Mastery Model
   To drive relevance, the bank introduced a three-level curriculum:
   • Foundational & Intermediate: Mandatory pathways for Analysts and Apprentices, ensuring the next generation of bankers is technically flawless.
   • Advanced & CPD-Aligned: Frictionless, regulatory-compliant training for Front-Office staff, allowing them to earn credits while sharpening their market edge. This effort generated over 330 firm CPD credits.
3. Data-Driven Nudges
   This wasn't a “set and forget” launch. Using xUnlocked’s customer success insights, the bank used multi-touch engagement tactics—including event-linked nudges—to keep learning top-of-mind throughout the year.

The impact: high-volume, high-value learning

The results contradict the myth that bankers don’t have time to learn. By offering high-quality, relevant content, the bank achieved engagement levels rarely seen in the financial sector.