With increasing transaction volumes and complexity, managing cash has become a major challenge. It is essential for financial service providers to manage money effectively, because in cash management more than anywhere else "time is money". This course provides participants with a good understanding of cash processing and cash management.

The importance and complexity of corporate actions are often underestimated. When corporate actions are not performed correctly, they can result in significant losses. This course examines various aspects of corporate actions with the objective of providing participants with a good understanding of corporate actions and how they are processed.

The market for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has grown rapidly. The unique characteristics of ETFs make them an interesting alternative to traditional funds and equities. This course is designed to provide participants with a good understanding of ETFs and the markets in which they are traded.

The futures market is one of the largest financial markets in the world. Yet it is a market that is not well known, primarily because of its operational. Forward contracts are similar to futures contracts, but they are handled over the counter. This course provides participants with a detailed look at futures and forward contracts, as well as various aspects of the markets for futures and forward in both Europe and the U.S. Exercises and case studies ensure the practical orientation of the course.

Although derivatives have a reputation of being high-risk financial instruments, they can be used effectively for hedging, arbitrage, financial engineering and speculation. Derivative markets are mostly limited to specialists, because of the complexity, large monetary value and high leverage of these instruments. This course introduces participants to derivatives and their markets, both on exchanges and over the counter.

The financial markets of the world are vast and extremely complex. Yet each market has its unique characteristics, often making it difficult to understand. This course provides participants with a good understanding of different financial markets in terms of market characteristics, financial instruments, market activities and players.

As the money available for public pensions decreases, private investors are attempting to protect their futures by investing in life insurance and retirement plans. This trend has been a boon for insurance companies, which have been innovative in developing new products that address the needs of investors. But the wide range of "life" and pension products offered today is often difficult for investors and financial service professionals to understand. This course describes the details of the life insurance and pension products that are common in today's markets.

In light of recent market developments, the area of custody has become more important and more visible than ever before. The increased focus on custody is likely to result in major changes to EU regulations and, subsequently, market practice. By focusing on custody operations for securities and investment funds in Europe, this course provides participants with an in-depth understanding of custody from both an operational and a regulatory perspective.

Because of an increased focus on cost management and the widespread availability of computers throughout companies, corporate finance is no longer restricted to the accounting department. Managers of practically every department must compile budgets, write business cases and perform cost accounting. This course provides department managers and their support staff with the knowledge they need to understand finance and to perform the department-level accounting tasks that are often required of them.

Both the primary and secondary markets for debt instruments are extremely important components of financial markets. This course is designed to give participants a good understanding of debt instruments, their characteristics and the markets in which they are issued, traded and settled.