Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Services via Online Distance Learning

Introduction to Financial Services

What are financial services; The financial services industry; Types of financial services; Roles of the financial system; Functions of financial services; Financial institutions; Changes in the financial service sector; Trends within the financial service; Professional bodies; The financial services consumer;

The Changing Financial Services Sector

Types of financial organizations governing the industry; Size and structure of financial service providers; The commercial banking industry; Small and large banks; Unit banks, branching, financial holding companies (FHC); Organizational structure of International banks; Financial objectives;

Lending Practices: Procedure and Policies

Lending policies and procedures; Types of loans; Managing credit risk; Regulating lending; Credit analysis; The lending process; The loan agreement; Loan review;

Lending Practices: Providing Loans to Consumers

Features of consumer loans; Consumer credit and protection code; Financial planning; Real estate loans; Home equity lending; Interest only and adjustable mortgages; Credit card loans; Laws and regulations; Determining rate of interest; Loan terms and conditions; Evaluating consumer loan applications; Credit scoring; The FICO Scoring System; Bankruptcy;

Lending Practices: Providing Loans to Businesses

Lending to businesses; Types of business loans; Usage of loans; Pricing; Short term and long term loans to businesses; Analyzing business loan applications; Collateral and contingent liabilities;

Deposit and Non Deposit Related Financial Services

Types of deposits offered by the financial services sector; Setting interest rates; Deposit related services and pricing; Alternative non deposit sources of funding; Liability; Determining cost; Risk;

Insurance, Investment Banking & Capital

Investment banking financial services; Commercial and investment banking; Mutual fund investment products; Annuity investment products; Rules and regulations surrounding investment services; Trust services; Types of insurance services; Capital management; Types of capital; Risks associated with Capital; International capital standards;

Management: Investment

Investment instruments; Advantages and disadvantages of investment; Measuring and analyzing returns; Investment risks; Aspects behind choice of investment; Maturity management tools and strategies; Capital market investment instruments (notes and bonds);

Management: Liquidity and Reserves

Introduction to liquidity: demands and supply; Issues faced by firms in terms of liquidity; Liquidity strategies; Approximating liquidity requirements; Different sources of reserves; Legal reserves and money position management; Central bank reserve requirements internationally;

Fund Administration

Shareholder services (Applications, Redemptions, Transfers);Trading (Principal Features, Market to Market, Margin accounts); Equities (Principle Features, Weighted Average / FIFO Cost Allocation; Realised and Unrealised Profits and Losses; Equities; Gilts/Fixed Interest Securities; Custody (Settlement Procedures, Safekeeping, Corporate Actions, Income Collection, Taxation Services, Proxy Voting, Trustees);  Valuations;

Managing Risk: Changing Interest Rates

Asset management strategies; Liability management strategies; Funds management strategy; Factors affecting interest rates; Measuring interest rates; Responding to interest rate; Interest –sensitive gap management; Time as an interest rate risk factor;

Managing Risk: Dealing with Interest Rate Risks & Risk Management Tools

Derivative contracts; Ways of dealing with interest rate risks: financial futures contracts; Interest rate swaps; Interest rate caps, collars and floors; Interest rate options; Short and long hedges; The securitizing process; Sales of loans to raise funds; Standby credits; Credit derivatives; Credit default swaps (CDS); Collateralized debt obligations (CDOs);

Fraud Protection

Introduction to fraud; Fraudulent activity; Types of fraud (access to account, card fraud, Internet, identify theft, counterfeit identification, phishing); Impact on the financial services sector; Cost of fraud; Consumer confidence; Legalities and regulations; National Fraud Authority (NFA); Fraud protection services;

Macroeconomics

Introduction to macroeconomics; Understanding macroeconomics; Principles of economics; How the market works; Gross domestic product; International trade; Open economy; Labour market; Income, expenditure and the circular flow; The consumer price index; Cost of taxation; Employment; Cost of living; The Philips Curve; National income; Supply and demand for goods and services; Money and inflation; The quantity theory of money; Interest rates; Social costs of inflation; Hyperinflation; Exchange rates; Economic fluctuations; Economic growth; Economy in the long run; Accumulation of capital; Population growth; Policies to promote growth; The Solow Model; The business cycle; Aggregate demand and supply; The IS-LM Model; The money market; How fiscal and monetary policies shift the LM Curve; Floating and fixed exchange rates; The Mundell-Fleming Model; Policy debates; Investment; Government policies;

Microeconomics

Introduction to microeconomics; Trade; Trade-offs and government policy; Production and supply’ Elasticities; Individual choice in supply and demand; Production and cost analysis; Competitive markets; Oligopoly and monopolistic competition; Strategic pricing; Uncertainty;

Marketing Financial Services

Introduction to marketing; Researching the marketplace; Ethics in research and information management; Segmenting and targeting the financial services marketplace; Consumer segments; Business segments; Targeting, positioning; Customer relationship management (CRM); Customer value; Loyalty programmes; Customer satisfaction; Relationships with stakeholders; Relationship with businesses; Internal marketing; Relationship lifecycle;

Building the Marketing Brand

What is a brand; Developing and sustaining the brand; The digital environment; The global environment; Brand equity; Creating value and benefits; New product development; Co-creation; Service quality and delivery; Affinity marketing; Costs; Pricing strategies; Marketing communications; Communication strategies;

Marketing and Distribution Channels

Choice of distribution channel; Contact centers and IVR’s; Remote banking; Mobile devices; Self-service banking; ATM; Telephone services; Internet; The communication message; Communication objectives; The marketing communication mix;

The Financial Services Industry Workplace

Careers in the financial services industry; Job descriptions; Code of conduct; Employer and employee rights and responsibilities; Performance appraisal; Security; Making decisions; Management, team leadership; Professional development; Time management; Organization;

Communication

Verbal and nonverbal communication in the workforce; Common obstacles to communication; Listening skills; Organization communication; Effective communication channels; Working in a team; Team roles; Benefits of negotiation; Dealing with conflict;

Working with Customers

Types of customers; Customer service; Call centres; Consistency and quality of communication; Channel improvement; Customer empowerment; Measuring the customer experience; Retaining customers;

Presentation and Written Communication

Developing office writing skills; Letters; Reports; Writing style; Language; Layout; Headings and subheadings; References and bibliography; Citing sources of information; Copyright; Defamation and confidentiality; Using graphs; Tables and figures; Planning a presentation; Choice of visual aid; Public speaking; Rehearsal techniques;

Financial Accounting

Introduction to financial accounting; Users of financial information; Key accounting models; Terminology; Need for financial statements; The balance sheet; Balance sheet layouts; Ratio and the balance sheet; Income statement and layout; Ratios, revenues and trade receivables; Owners’ equity; Cash flow measurement and documentation; Inventories and cost of sales; Tangible and intangible assets; Liabilities; Financial statements and recording transactions; Preparing financial statements; Analyzing and interpreting financial statements; Analysis tools; Auditing;

Financial Laws, Regulations and Compliance

Statutory bodies and regulators; Banking regulations; Banking laws; Regulation of other financial service institutions; Aims and objectives of regulations; International laws and authorities; Aspects of compliance; Compliance management;

The Future of Financial Services

Acquisitions and mergers; The prosumer; Customer experience; New technology that is transforming banking; Social networking; New payments; Cash-RFID; Biometrics; Mobile P2P micropayments;

International Financial Services

Introduction to international financial services; The financial service system; Types of international banking; Services and products provided; Treasury; Trade; Funds; Foreign exchange; Risks and regulations; Financial markets; Challenges within the international market; Market competition; International customers;

Spreadsheets (Calc)

Introduction to spreadsheets; Step by step instructions on using the features; Functions and applications for spreadsheets; Customizing the spreadsheet software; Installing the spreadsheet software; Security; Platforms; Operating system compatibility;

Financial Terminology

Detailed definitions of key financial services terms;

Setting Up & Marketing Your Own Consultancy

The Business Plan; Legalities; Setting Up; the Marketing Strategy; Knowing Your Competitors; Promotional Tools;

Presentation Skills

Preparation and Research; Speech Content; Subject Matter and Objectives; Speech Delivery and Variety; Body Language; Eye Contact; Presentation Aids; Management of Locations and Audiences; Presentation Structure;

Criteria for eligibility must be met in full prior to commencing the programme. For successful enrollment on the Postgraduate Diploma course, the minimum entry requirement is a prior Degree level qualification.

On successful completion of this course you will receive a Professional Postgraduate Diploma qualification that is certified and awarded by the ICM (Institute of Commercial Management).

The Institute of Commercial Management was founded in 1979 and is one of the leading Professional Examination and Certification Bodies in the world today. Fitzwilliam Institute have developed and provided practical skills training courses in liaison with the Institute of Commercial Management qualifications and certifications framework for over 25 years. The Institute of Commercial Management certifications and continual professional development training awards are recognised by leading industries, bodies and professions.

next start date: 19th April 2024

Duration: You will have full access to online resources and subject expert support for two calendar years. However, you can complete the course in as little as 1 year, by dedicating 6-8 hours of study per week.

Course Fees: 1995.00 EUR

To secure your place on the course the full fee is required. All fees must be paid in full before the course begins. Please note, the full course fees are inclusive of all course materials and certification costs.

Enrolment intake is strictly limited on this course. Early application is advised. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

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Fitzwilliam Institute closes on Bank Holidays and for a number of days at Christmas and New Year. Fitzwilliam Institute reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter courses without notice or to change any of the details in this brochure. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by Fitzwilliam Institute. Distance Learning courses are provided by Fitzwilliam Institute BGLS Ltd.