- FRM® and CAIA® prep programs are added to meet growing client demand

NEW YORK and LONDON, 27 July 2009 - 7city Learning, a global financial services training company, today announced that the firm has added two new exam training programs in the U.S. The firm is offering preparatory courses for exams for the Financial Risk Manager (FRM®), the certification administered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP® ©), and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® (CAIA), which was founded by the CAIA Association®. These programs are comprehensive and are offered as in-house courses for institutions or as study programs for individuals.

Steven Block, Course Director  of 7city, said: “We have introduced these courses to meet financial services firms’ growing interest in ensuring that their professionals are qualified to address new challenges, both in the areas of risk management as well as alternative investments. In the last year, expertise in risk as well as alternative investments has become increasingly important for financial services firms.  Our clients include buy- and sell-side firms who demand that their employees have a broad-based understanding of the market and products, as well as the techniques used to measure and manage risk.”

The FRM is a crucial qualification for financial risk professionals and offers increased credibility and earning potential for individuals who hold it. Among the benefits for FRM holders: the designation is recognized world-wide, holders are valued by recruiters and hiring managers, and the training prepares holders to work in today’s evolving market.

The CAIA is the first and only qualification that focuses on alternative investments and is essential for professionals working in the alternative investments industry, including: investment advisors, investment consultants, investment analysts, fund managers and fund administrators.

Gil Christie, CEO of 7city, said: “We have seen an upsurge in interest in professional qualifications courses as our clients seek to ensure that their professionals fully understand the market context for today’s complex products and are able to make the best decisions on behalf of their firms and their firms’ clients.”

These two new programs are offered in a variety of formats utilizing both 7city’s in-classroom learning options and the firm’s award-winning online learning portal. Course options allow students to study in their preferred learning style – online, in-classroom, or through a combination of both – as well as at convenient times, including weekends and evenings. Students also benefit from the specialized backgrounds of the course instructors, all of whom have worked as professionals in the financial services industry and bring their real-world experience into the classroom. The new qualifications’ course instructors include Steven Block and Bob Wieczorek. Mr. Block’s background includes extensive expertise in fixed income, foreign exchange and options and risk management as well as the full range of derivatives instruments. In addition, he offers the trader’s perspective, having headed desks at Chase Manhattan Bank, Commerzbank, Banque National de Paris and Nomura Capital Markets. Mr. Wieczorek has over eighteen years of asset management, capital markets and corporate finance experience and previously launched STORM Capital Partners, a market-neutral hedge fund.

Institutions with students enrolled in either of these new courses benefit from 7city’s Managed Training Services, which handles administrative duties, from managing the process of registering and authorizing training through to managing all exam bookings. In addition, student activity is tracked and reported back to clients, allowing training managers the ability to view attendance, online usage, and diagnostic standing.

ABOUT 7CITY LEARNING
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7city Learning is a global financial services training company providing leading edge solutions for financial and professional skills training. Based in New York, London and Singapore and servicing a blue chip client base, 7city is at the forefront of learning and development and has been acknowledged for its innovative approach and level of professional service. 7city achieved The Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track status in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.

7city Learning is part of the 7city Group Limited.