The Institute of Banking Studies (IBS) is a not-for-profit semi-government organization that was originally established in  by an Amiri Decree as the "Banking Studies Center". It was conferred the status of a Specialized Institute in by an amendment of the Amiri Decree. IBS functions under the auspices of the Central Bank of Kuwait. By virtue of the Amiri Decree, the IBS can offer education, training and English language programs and research to serve the developmental needs of the Kuwaiti banking and finance sector.