Dates                                                                                    

6 October 2008
12 May 2009
9 October 2009

 Course Overview

This interactive and exercise-based course is targeted at delegates of varying backgrounds, providing them with a thorough and effective introduction to financial markets. The course allows participants to understand the work of their firm and set their own work in context – any jargon participants are encountering is explained clearly and simply. Learning is supplemented by frequent work in “hands-on” exercises, designed to reinforce learning. Participants are given ample opportunity to ask questions in a supportive and non-threatening environment.

Participants will be required to bring a scientific calculator and a laptop with USB port to the course.

Course Content

Banking
Understanding corporate and investment banking and the differences between them
Anatomy of a bank

Exercise – navigating around an investment bank

Overview of investment banking products
Key jargon terms: demystified
Where people fit
Who can afford their own yacht?
Understanding front, middle & back office roles

Exercise – identifying roles

Making bank strategy work
Choosing an investment bank
Review: what are the risks that investment banks face?

Getting to grips with the business press
Unpacking the financial pages
How to know everything by reading 3-5 pages max

Exercise – identifying deals / identifying opportunities

Fund management
Fund management: defined
Whose money is it?
What do they do with it?
How are they rewarded?
How is success measured?
Key industry trends
Key players in the industry
Big decisions for a fund manager
Key roles played by people in fund management
What keeps a fund manager awake at night?

Getting to grips with the FT
Unpacking the FT
How to know everything by reading 3-5 pages max

Exercise – identifying deals/ identifying opportunities

Other financial institutions
Fund management
Private banking
Hedge funds
Major strategies and risks
Private equity firms

Debt products
Clear, simple and concise introduction to the different forms of lending:
Senior debt
High-yield debt
Mezzanine
Payment-in-Kind
Asset based lending
Securitisations
Project Financing
Understanding the nature of different financial instruments and risk profiles
Drivers on debt holders

M & A and equity capital markets
M&A
Why does M&A happen?
Sources of synergies
What would you be most sceptical about?
Traps for the unwary
Decomposing hockey sticks
Equity capital markets
What is a float?
Overview of the process
Key roles

Exercise: Flotation as an exit route