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;