[4 February 2009]
New programme at SMU to develop talent for the stockbroking profession

The new SMU-SAS Certificate in Securities Marketing is one of the key initiatives by the Singapore Exchange and the stockbroking industry to grow and develop the trading representative community

Singapore, 4 February 2009 – The Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched a new executive training programme for the professional development of trading representatives (TRs) as well as to prepare new entrants planning to join the stockbroking industry. Developed by the Financial Training Institute (FTI) at SMU in partnership with Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) and the Securities Association of Singapore (SAS), the new SMU-SAS Certificate in Securities Marketing is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and competencies to market financial securities. It is the first professional training of its kind to be started by a university. Participants can expect to broaden their product knowledge and client servicing skills in the move towards providing value added advisory services.

The SMU-SAS Certificate in Securities Marketing, a competency-based training and assessment programme that meets the exacting requirements of the Financial Industry Competency Standards (FICS), provides a training roadmap towards eventual accreditation. Participants will graduate with a certificate and – upon passing the FICS accredited assessment – be awarded the Specialist Diploma in Securities & Futures. The training will also prepare new entrants to sit for the Capital Markets and Financial Advisory Services (CMFAS) examinations, a qualifying criterion to obtain a practising licence to be a dealer under the Securities and Futures Act or the Financial Advisers Act.

The first run of the three-month programme, which takes place from 17 February 2009 to 30 May 2009, will be delivered by the FTI at SMU and taught by a team of industry professionals in securities investment and stockbroking brought in by SMU and SAS. The curriculum will cover an overview of the securities and futures industry, regulatory and legislation framework, code of conduct, investment recommendation, client relationship management, marketing, servicing and trade execution. Please see Annex for details. As an FICS accredited programme, eligible institutions and qualified individuals can apply for 80% funding support under the Financial Sector Development Fund (FSDF) set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Course fees (excluding GST) are S$7,000 (before funding) and S$1,400 (after funding).

“The global financial crisis is rewriting the landscape of financial services industry. Increasingly, brokers will need to be ready to take advantage of opportunities that will emerge from current turmoil. As a knowledge partner in this new programme, FTI@SMU provides the training pathways for brokers and remisiers to broaden their product knowledge and enhance their soft skills. It is also an excellent starting point for newbies, fresh graduates and mid career types interested to join the stockbroking profession. Upon completion, they will be equipped with the capability to expand their product and service offerings, and move towards value-added advisory services,” said Associate Professor Annie Koh, Dean of Executive and Professional Education, Singapore Management University.

“We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with SMU to create and develop a new route to properly train and prepare newbies for their entry into the securities industry. With this well-rounded certificate course, new trading representatives will enter the dealing rooms, equipped not only with a licence to deal but also with the skills to develop client base, market securities and serve their customers professionally. The SAS is also excited about the possibilities for developing continuing education programmes that will go beyond merely scoring minimum continuing education programme (CEP) credits to upgrade skills, deepen and update knowledge and enhance the professionalism and image of the industry,” said Mr Lim Eng Hai, Chief Executive Officer, Securities Association of Singapore.

“SGX is pleased to see the securities industry and academia come together to launch this programme to upgrade the skills of our trading representatives community, and to support this programme. It is a critical step in the industry development roadmap, to develop the trading representatives and grow their ranks to provide quality advisory and execution services for the benefit of the retail investor,” said Mr Chew Sutat, Executive Vice President & Head, Market Development, Singapore Exchange Limited.

About the Financial Training Institute at SMU

The Financial Training Institute at SMU (FTI@SMU) is the lead training and assessment provider for Financial Industry Competency Standards (FICS) accredited training and assessment programmes for Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, Fund Management, Private Equity and Securities & Futures. It is an extension of SMU's leadership in business education, and the delivery of quality continuing education for banking and financial professionals. FTI@SMU aims to meet market needs for an independent training and assessment provider that fulfils the highest standards set by the Institute of Banking & Finance (IBF); to champion a broad suite of FICS accredited courses which are relevant, critical and forward-looking in developing competency skills; and to provide an interactive learning environment that gives participants ownership in charting their learning roadmap that is most effective in fulfilling the individual's career aspirations. www.smu.edu.sg/centres/fti