Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services
This programme is designed for an ever increasing range of people working in the international financial services area who are engaged in activities which now require a good working knowledge of the characteristics of derivative products and complex financial instruments.
| Award Name | Special Purpose Certificate (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Special Purpose |
| Awarding Body | University College Dublin |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Purpose Certificate (Level 7 NFQ) | Special Purpose | University College Dublin | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
1 trimester
Delivery: Online
It is strongly recommended that students attend all their scheduled online lectures. Details and schedules for the delivery for each module are set out in the study guides accompanying each module.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirements are as follows:
• Five passes in the Leaving Certificate, including English and Mathematics
• Five O Level/GCSE passes, including English Language and Mathematics.
IOB will also consider applications on a mature candidate basis from applicants who are 23 years of age before the date of their application for admission to the programme.
Professional Body Membership
You must be a current member, or become a member of IOB.
Further information
Next intake
Autumn Trimester (2023/2024 academic year)
Please note that the programme content and fees are subject to change in the 2023/2024 academic year. Any changes will be outlined in the 2023/2024 prospectus and at iob.ie in August - the start of the new academic year.
This programme has IFS Skillnet funding available for certain companies. Find out more.
Programme cost: €1,250
IFS Skillnet fee: €915*
Funding may be available through the Summit Finuas Skillnet.
The objective of this programme is to provide you with not only a very practical understanding of how the most common types of complex financial instruments and derivative products are used in the financial markets, but also their use in hedging, risk management and return enhancement strategies.
How you will benefit
On successful completion of this programme, you 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 learned for the future
• Review the use of complex financial instruments in financial institutions from an internal and external viewpoint, including accounting treatment/reporting, risk management and regulation.
About the programme
The use of complex financial instruments in investment fund strategies has seen a huge increase over the past five years. Many alternative fund strategies seek to generate returns from asset classes solely created from derivative structures, such as the use of Total Return Swaps or Credit Default Swaps for long-short strategies in equities or bonds. Derivatives are now used in combination with even the most basic equity and bond management strategies.
The growth in derivative usage comes at a time of vast changes in regulatory oversight in both Europe and the US, as a reaction to the recent financial crisis. The regulatory changes are being implemented through the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and will impact the most fundamental aspects of how these products are traded, how collateral/counterparty risk is treated and how transactions are reported.
Understanding the risk and return characteristics of complex products and the derivatives which underpin those strategies has now become a critical function in the asset management, valuation and trading areas in international financial services.
Continuous Professional Development
If you hold an IOB designation or a designation managed by IOB, CPD hours may be awarded on successful completion of this programme.
Complex Financial Instruments
(NFQ level 7, 10 ECTS)
• Explain how complex financial instruments work and understand their uses.
• Evaluate the benefits and risks of differing instruments and 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 on 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.
• Evaluate the use of complex financial instruments in financial institutions from an internal and external viewpoint, including accounting treatment/reporting, risk management and regulation.
Two hour exam at the end of the programme 70%. The exam consists of written, essay-style questions.
Assignment 30%
Award
When you successfully complete this programme you will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Complex Financial Instruments in International Financial Services from UCD.
This is a level 7 qualificationon the National Framework of qualifications.
For more information please contact education@iob.ie
Institute of Banking
Email: info@iob.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 6116500
Fax: +353 (0)1 6116565