Dates

26 March 2010

 Course Overview

This one day course is designed to give delegates new to financial markets or those considering a career in the city with an overview of the main institutions, their role within the city and the financial instruments in which they trade.

The day is suitable for those with limited or no knowledge of the financial markets and includes several enjoyable, interactive exercises including a review of the days Financial Times to give delegates an insight into looking at the financial pages of the newspapers.

It also gives delegates an opportunity to discuss any topical issues that they may have seen or read about in the news or financial press.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

After attending the course, delegates will have a good understanding of the main institutions, what they do and who their clients are along with the markets and products traded on them. They will also gain an invaluable understanding of the jargon that they will encounter.

Course Content

Financial Institutions

A description of the different types of Banks including an explanation of their different functions and who their clients are, including
    • Investment Banks
    • Commercial Banks
    • Private Banks

This section also introduces delegates to some of the main departments within these banks, the responsibilities of staff in these departments and some of the jargon used e.g., middle office, back office / operations.

    • Central Banks – the role of the Bank of England including the setting of interest rates
Other financial institutions including,
    • Hedge Funds
    • Private Equity
    • Lloyds of London

How the City is Regulated
An introduction to the role and objectives of the Financial Services Authority
The role of the Bank of England
Other types of regulation including codes and the impact of EU Directives
The role of the compliance department

Equities
Public and private companies
What is an equity?
The main types of equity - ordinary shares, preference shares and the rights they give to shareholders
How are they issued? – a brief overview of the Initial Public Offering process
How are they traded? – a look at how they are bought and sold including an explanation of pricing, costs, the systems used and the operational aspects of settlement. This topic looks at the London Stock Exchange and the other markets on which equities can be bought and sold.
Indices – popular indices, what they say about the markets and how they are used.

Bonds and bond markets
What is a bond?
Corporate bonds – who issues them, some of their more common features including a look at convertible bonds and the role of the Credit Rating Agencies
Gilts – the role of government issued bonds and their features
Trading and settlement of bonds
Eurobonds – key features, the players in the Eurobond market and how they are traded
Asset backed securities – an explanation of what they are

The Money Markets
The purpose of the money markets and an explanation of the instruments traded

The Currency Markets
An explanation of currency trading, the quotation of exchange rates and the spot and forward markets

Derivatives
The main types – futures, options and swaps
How do they work and what are they used for? – an explanation of how each of the above work, an introduction to the markets in which they are traded and their main uses including hedging and speculation

 

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