Delivering the skills for a growing financial services industry

Delivering the skills for a growing financial services industry

I would like to praise ifs Malta s growing contribution to the Maltese economy through its learning activities, and in particular in its involvement in the Educational Consultative Council. It has been participating in the work of the European Banking and Financial Services Training Association Profs. Joseph Bonnici Governor, Central Bank of Malta Table of Contents Welcome 3 History 4 What we do 5 Qualifications 6 EBTN 10 Collaborators 12 Events 14 2

Welcome ifs Malta is a long standing institution in the provision of financial education, making available the necessary knowledge, skills and competences to enrich professional careers in the local financial services industry. The institute is founded on solid foundations of providing detailed and technical education together with engaging in continuous dialogue with employers, students and tutors, ensuring that remains abreast of what is happening in the financial services sector. With more than 50 years of experience in financial services education the institute has evolved considerably. From its humble origins, ifs Malta, has developed itself into a leading provider of knowledge and education for people employed in the Maltese financial services sector. ifs Malta seeks to promote a high standard of professional skills and values amongst persons engaged in the provision of financial services to the general public. ifs Malta, originally known as the Chartered institute of Bankers, has been at the forefront of providing and fostering professional education in the local financial services sector since 1961. Education has always been the backbone of the financial services sector s continuous development and this has been the key to the Institute s success. The Institute is committed to continue to strengthen financial services education for the benefit of its members, the financial services sector, its practitioners and the Maltese society in general. Kenneth Micallef President - ifs Malta 3

History ifs Malta, was established in 1961 as a voluntary organisation with a mission to promote knowledge and education in banking and financial services and to facilitate the elevation of professionalism within the sector. The Institute began offering qualifications awarded by the ifs School of Finance (then known as the Chartered Institute of Bankers - UK) and continues to do so to this day. These qualifications are complemented by a comprehensive range of other programmes and training courses offered by Central Law Training, International Compliance Association, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments and Bangor University. In 2007 it secured membership of the European Banking and Financial Services Training Association to share best practice and experience of how to constantly raise the bar for training standards and develop financial services education. In a bid to address shortages in the local talent pool, ifs Malta has fostered a close collaboration and relationship with the Malta Financial Services Authority and is an active member of the Education Consultative Council. Banks have traditionally been ifs Malta s main clients but the organisation has evolved and is now also working increasingly closer with the investment, funds and regulatory sectors. 4

Bridging finance and education for the past fifty years What we do ifs Malta is run by an elected committee of professionals from within the financial services sector, who serve on a voluntary basis. With the assistance of a small dedicated staff complement, ifs Malta seeks to promote and foster financial services education in Malta. This is achieved directly and through a number of strategic alliances, primarily with the University of Malta, Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST), as well as with established International schools in the area of financial education, including ifs School of Finance, CLT International, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments, the International Compliance Association and Bangor University. Through its comprehensive range of professional services the Institute offers qualifications from awareness Certificate to a Masters level of specialisation, mainly targeting the banking, investments, funds, trusts and regulatory sectors. In addition, the local Institute delivers regular tailor-made and general training programmes to various financial services organisations and the public at large. 5

Qualifications 6 Awareness Courses Maltese Financial Regulation Awareness in Financial Crime Prevention (Financial Services) Awareness in Anti-Money Laundering (Financial Services) Awareness in Financial Crime Prevention (Betting & Gaming) EQF Level 3 Certificate Risk in Financial Services Certificate in Investment Operations Certificate in Islamic Finance International Certificate in Wealth Management Certificate for Introduction to Securities & Investments EQF Level 4 Certificate for Financial Advisers Combating Financial Crime Global Financial Compliance

EQF Level 5 ICA Diploma in Compliance ICA Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering Professional Certificate in Banking Diploma in Investment Advice EQF Level 6 Advanced Certificate & Diploma in Fund Administration Professional Diploma in Banking Practice & Management BSc (Hons) in Banking Practice & Management EQF Level 7 Chartered Banker MBA Masters in Wealth Management MSc in Banking Practice & Management 7

STEP Certificate & Diploma in International Trust Management Distance Learning Plus (DL+) The STEP Certificate and Diploma in International Trust Management is a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and CLTI qualification. It is awarded in association with the International Trust Companies Association (ITCA) and Manchester Business School (MBS), a school of the University of Manchester. The STEP Certificate provides a solid grounding in international trust practice from a global and local perspective. Qualification The STEP qualification really motivates the individuals who study for it. You can see them mature as employees, becoming more confident and knowledgeable, which in turn benefits the clients. What benefits the clients will ultimately benefit the company as a whole. Pearline McIntosh, ACIB TEP, Vice President - Trust Services, Butterfield Trust (Bermuda) Limited. 8

The STEP Diploma is recognised worldwide as the benchmark qualification for those working in the international trusts arena. The Diploma explores common international principles and practices in detail and relates them to your local jurisdiction and other leading trust centres. It comprises the following four papers: TrustCreation: Law and Practice Company Law and Practice Trust Administration and Accounts Trustee Investment and Financial Appraisal Collaborators 9

EBTN The European Banking & Financial Services Training Association (EBTN), is a non profit organisation. It was established on 4th November 1991, and is composed of leading banks and financial training organisations across Europe. The Association became a forum to allow its members to work together on joint studies and projects and exchange experiences. Its vision is to create a common European Education and Training Culture within Banking & Financial Services Sector. www.ebtn.eu European Activities Biannual Conferences - a unique forum where the Executives responsible for Education and Training of bankers in their respective countries can meet, exchange views and keep abreast of the changes affecting their banking education/ training programmes and the global financial markets. International Conferences - a unique opportunity to exchange innovative and professional opinions in the field of HR management and latest developments in financial services. Workshops & Symposiums - the workshops handle topics of interest to EBTN members. In addition to its aim to offer knowledge of added value, it facilitates EBTN to fulfill its role as a platform for information, exchange and discussion on bilateral issues from a multilateral perspective. 10

European Projects 11

Collaborators ifs School of Finance (UK) is the division of the ifs that specifically supports and promotes professionalism in the regulated advice sector and the wider financial services industry. It does so through the provision of qualifications, continuing professional development services and through the dissemination of best practice. The Institute is an FSA Accredited Body and is recognised as an awarding body by Ofqual. www.ifslearning.ac.uk 12 The International Compliance Association (ICA) helps businesses, regulatory authorities, government agencies and clients promote best practice through education, dialogue, information exchange and detailed resource material. The ICA works with regulators and other representative groups all over the world. ICA's internationally recognised qualifications, which are awarded in association with the prestigious Manchester Business School, enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals, improve business practice and minimise risk. www.int-comp.org The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is a unique professional body providing members with a local, national and international learning and business network. STEPS provides education, training, representation and networking for its members, who are professionals specialising in trusts and estates, executorship, administration and related taxes. Members advise clients on the broad business of the management of personal finance. www.step.org

Central Law Training is the UK s leading provider of post qualification training and accreditation for professionals working in the legal and funds sector. Established over 25 years ago, CLT has been delivering CPD training and professional courses to a wide variety of professionals. Its The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK and in a growing number of financial centres globally. Evolved from the London Stock Exchange, CISI has now more Bangor University is a long established University dedicated to academic excellence. Bangor is rated top in Wales and is in the top 15 of UK universities for teaching excellence according to the Sunday Times University Guide 2012, (Sept 2011). www.bangor.ac.uk Interfima, a global organization, provides financial training courses to individuals, financial institutions and corporations around various locations it operates. Their mission conforms with the progress of their members, the organizations prosperity they serve, and the development of nationwide programme of than 40,000 members in 89 the markets and communities learning is second to none. countries. In the past year, the they operate. www.clt.co.uk institute set over 42,000 examinations in 68 countries, www.interfima.org covering a range of vocational qualifications. www.cisi.org 13

Events As part of its ongoing commitment, ifs Malta takes the responsibility of organising three main prestigious events, namely the Graduation Ceremony - to commemorate students hard work and achievements; the Annual Dinner a prestigious 14 event where key decision makers in the financial services come together for the occasion, and an Annual Seminar a seminar delivered to members and a very select audience which usually boasts a speaker of international expertise and repute.

Graduation the Institute commemorates the successful efforts and achievements of its students by annually presenting certificates during its graduation ceremony in recognition for all their hard work. Seminar the Institute delivers an Annual Seminar, attracting both local and foreign respected experts as key speakers. Financial services professionals and decisionmaking delegates are normally in attendance. This event offers plenty of networking opportunities for business professionals alike. Dinner the Annual Dinner has become an important annual event in the calendar of bankers and financial services practitioners where guests have the opportunity to meet and network. Keynote addresses are delivered by the Governor of the Central Bank and Minister of Finance during the evening. 15

ifs Malta 60, G Mangia Hill, Pieta PTA 1316. T: +356 21240335 E: info@ifsmalta.org W:www.ifsmalta.org Stay connected: