Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services

Course Provider
Dates     Duration	13,15,20,22,27,29 September  4, 6 October 2010   6 pm - 9 pm
Venue	Institute of Bankers, IFSC, Dublin 1
Course Fees	Full Fee: €2900 Network Members Fee: €1740
Accreditation	Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualificiation, through the School of Professional Finance. The School of Professional Finance is a recognised school of University College Dublin, affliliated with the UCD College of Busines and Law
CPD Hours	To be confirmed

Programme Introduction

Complex financial instruments, constructed through the use of derivatives, have seen a phenomenal growth in both range and usage over the past decade. Understanding the risk and return characteristics of these products have become critical in the asset management, valuation and trading areas of International Financial Services.
The objective of this programme is to provide candidates with not only an understanding of how the types of complex financial instruments are used in the financial markets but also their use in hedging, risk management and more speculative strategies.

Programme Objectives

On completion of this programme candidates will be able to:

• Explain how the most common complex financial instruments and derivatives work and understand their uses;
• Evaluate the benefits and risks of differing instruments and explain how they can be used for speculation, arbitrage, hedging and general risk management;
• Describe how these instruments are used for investment strategies within the major asset classes (equities, currencies, bonds, commodities and property);
• Appraise the role of regulation and the rating agencies in the application of financial instruments;
• Understand the role that complex financial instruments played in the recent market turmoil and what lessons can be learnt for the future; and
• Review the use of complex financial instruments in financial institutions from an internal and external viewpoint, including accounting treatment/reporting, risk management and regulation.

Who should undertake the ProfessionalCertificate in Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services?

This programme is designed for those directly involved in the design and trading of derivatives, and also those who engage in activities that require a good working knowledge of the characteristics of derivative products.

Such roles should include, but are not limited to: 

• Fund valuation teams
• Fund administrators
• Treasury staff in banks, financial institutions and non-financial corporations
• Sales and marketing personnel engaged in the area of complex financial instruments
• Institutional investors
• Fund managers
• Compliance officers
• Accountants
• Risk managers
• Regulators

Syllabus Summary (This is a summary of the syllabus and not a full statement of content)

• Options
• Futures/Forwards
• SWAPS
• Credit Derivatives
• Structured Products
• Understanding Exchange Traded Funds & Contracts for Difference and UCITS
• Measuring and Controlling Risk
• Accounting for Derivatives
• Implications of Derivatives usage
• Convertible Bonds
• Collaterised Mortgage Obligations (CMOs)
• Collaterised Debt Obligations (CDOs)
• Mortgage Backed Securities(MBSs)/ Asset Backed Securities(ABSs)
• Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
• Credit Default Swaps (CDSs)
• Contracts For Difference (CFDs)

Programme Structure

The emphasis in lectures is on the communication of key concepts and on the practical application of these concepts using examples and illustrations. Participants are expected to have read material in advance of the lectures and to participate in classroom discussions.

Programme Delivery

This one-module programme will commence in September 2010.Lectures will take place in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Dublin.

Learning Supports

• When your registration has been processed you will have access to the following learning supports:
  Access to the online Student Centre (using your password which will be sent to you following registration), including:
• Individual lecture and examination schedule
• Lecture notes and handouts
• Past exam paper
• Secure access to your examination results

What are the Entry Requirements?

Experience in derivatives, although preferable, is not a requirement for registering for the Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services.

Programme Leader - Kevin McConnell

Kevin, a Chartered Financial Analyst, is Head of Research at Bloxham Stockbrokers since 2001. He is a member of the CFA Institute in Ireland and is a Registered Stockbroker with the Irish Stock Exchange. Kevin specialises in covering the Banking sector and overall investment strategy for Bloxham, advising institutional investors and the in-house funds on investment decision making.

Over the past 10 years, Kevin has been heavily involved in a corporate advisory role to Irish public listed companies, specialising in identifying strategies for maximising shareholder value. He was recently voted "Best Equity Strategist in 2009" in the annual Institutional Stockbroking Survey conducted by Finance magazine and his work is widely covered in the domestic and international media.

To Register

The closing date for registrations is Friday, 10th September 2010. To register, please click BOOK THIS COURSE and complete all sections of the Application Form.

BOOK THIS COURSE

The Institute of Bankers School of Professional Finance is a recognised school of University College Dublin, affiliated with the UCD College of Business and Law.