Whether at top executive, middle management or even junior administrator level, conveying information, a message or even intent clearly, flawlessly and in appropriate detail is critical for getting the message across, establishing attention, winning business and building continued success. Business writing must form a credible basis upon which sound decisions may be taken. In this regard, besides communicating information accurately in an appropriate format, effective business writing demonstrates rationale, enhances credibility, carries influential impact, and conveys suitable courtesy. All powerful determinants for maintaining interest, rapport and enhancing sustainable achievement in the world of business. This short course gives practitioners, managers and administrators insights into sharpening and enhancing their business writing and communication skills in multiple and varied business contexts such as writing with impact and garnering results, drawing up reports as a sound basis for decision-making and outcome reporting, minute taking as well as delivering and presenting to an audience.
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is a new regulation aiming to establish Digital Operational Resilience for the Financial Sector and compliance with this new regulation comes into effect in January 2025. The Act aims to create common EU rules on digital operational resilience, ensure safeguards for ICT risk management and mitigation against cyber-attacks and other risks are in place, provide oversight in terms of critical ICT Third party services and dependencies and reduce financial and administrative burden on organisations. This course will help attendees to learn more about the updated Regulatory Technical Standards and associated guidance notes in preparation for compliance with this Act in January 2025
The Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a previously existing role that has been rendered mandatory in certain instances by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). DPOs are responsible for overseeing data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with GDPR requirements. Now that the GDPR is in force, it is important that organisations are compliant with the many regulations and operational requirements provided by the GDPR. This course is designed to help DPOs fully understand their role, assisting them in setting up of the right processes and procedures as well as control measures and helping DPOs determine whether the appointment of a DPO is mandatory for their organisation. In view of this and the significant possible consequences of noncompliance, it is recommended that DPOs attend this course.
This course covers material relating to structured products also known as market linked investments or synthetic investment instruments which are designed to facilitate highly bespoke risk and return objectives. Students will learn how investment banks pre-package financial instruments using derivatives, a basket of securities, single securities, and other capital market products. Participants will learn that structured products are normally used as a low cost alternative to a direct investment as part of the asset allocation process or to hedge risk found within an investment portfolio.
The real estate sector is going through a time of change, having penetrated the larger capital markets and is now much more affected by national and global economic trends. Besides looking into the basic principles and theory of valuation and gaining knowledge on the fundamentals of valuation practice, this course: • will look into developments and trends affecting the nature of and the need for valuation services in Malta in the short to medium term; • aims to stimulate debate amongst valuers and clients/ users of valuations over what action is needed to ensure the provision of quality valuation services that the modern economy requires; and • will enable you to assess the property market and be in a position to recognise which situations require which types of valuation, choose and apply the right methodology and create the valuation report in line with best practice and international standards.
The Compliance Officer is the regulator’s invisible arm in that it ensures that the institution’s business is being conducted in line with regulations, internal policies and procedures. Checks are carried out primarily through compliance monitoring programmes; be they on-site or desk based reviews. The fulcrum of the findings prompted by the reviews is to bring these to the attention of senior management. Senior management is ultimately responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the compliance function and in ensuring that the business is carried out in line with regulatory requirements.
Whistleblowing
is one of the largest forms of detection of occupational, fraud, bribery and
corruption and one of the best methods for the prevention of commercial crime.
Yet, there are still individuals who, due to fear of retaliation, do not report
any wrongdoings as there is a perception that these whistleblowers are not
afforded enough protection.
tbc
This course is designed to familiarize attendees with red flags and Money Laundering (ML) indicators, as well as the robust measures required to manage ML risks. In today’s world, robust AML controls are not only necessary to safeguard reputation, but also mandated by the Regulator. As ML risk cannot always be controlled and reduced to an acceptable level, the course delves into the reporting requirements imposed by the Regulator, including the reporting of suspicious activities and transactions, requests for information and the annual Risk Evaluation Questionnaire. Specifically concerning the latter, the course goes into the purpose and aim of the REQ, the sections and the information that is normally requested by the Regulator. Reference will be made to the FIAU implementing procedures Part 1, as well as official guidance issued by the FIAU on the subject matter.
This course aims at providing attendees with the necessary tools and techniques aimed at identifying money laundering machinations and in combating the funding of terrorism. The course has been developed in an engaging and comprehensive format in order to provide attendees with the appropriate training to meet the regulatory requirements of subject persons whilst providing a practitioner’s insight. The course shall focus both on the applicable legislative framework as well as on practical case studies.
Complying with the AML/CFT framework is an increasingly important regulatory requirement for all subject persons. This course, two-part session will outline the applicable Maltese AML/CFT laws and regulations, provide in-depth coverage of key ML/TF obligations of subject persons and discuss the effective implementation of risk-based policies, procedures, controls and measures. Following this course, participants should have a much better understanding of the key concepts of ML/TF, typologies, trends, safeguards and measures.
The management of third parties in the context of the processing of personal data has becoming crucial in the implementation of a GDPR framework, especially in an evolving landscape of technological challenges and dynamic relationships with different providers and business partners. Understanding the roles, the obligations and responsibilities allocated to each party involved is critical to determine the actions that are to be taken for an effective implementation of GDPR requirements. This also calls for the appropriate application of the “risk based” approach as well as the implementation of the “security” principle as addressed in the Regulation and in other data protection guidelines issued in relation thereto. Organizations are required to take the proper steps to analyze, assess and monitor their internal processes with the aim of implementing appropriate measures. The first part of this course is intended to provide Organizations with a practical insight and a methodological approach on how to manage third parties and how to determine the actions to be implemented for the purposes of building an effective GDPR framework. The second part of the course is designed to help Organizations in the risk assessment of their internal processes and in the implementation of practical measures and controls to be GDPR compliant.
This course is intended to educate and train professionals on the role of the risk function within an organization, and its effectiveness in acting as a second line of defense within the organization’s governance structure. The course will look into the practical implementation of risk and risk management, highlighting the main stages of a robust enterprise-wide risk management process.
This session will provide an in-depth look at the continuing disclosure obligations emanating from Chapter 5 of the Capital Markets Rules applicable to Issuers in terms of the said Rules. This session will cover both periodic financial reporting as well as ad hoc disclosure obligations, and should be particularly relevant to equity and debt issuers listed on the main market of the Malta Stock Exchange as well as entities contemplating listing.
This module will give a comprehensive overview of property valuations and reports, showing what a good quality and realistic valuation should assess, and explaining the methodology of creating a good quality property valuation. It will also address the common mistakes and errors commonly found in valuations and the importance of having a good standard of valuation since this is often the basis of investment decisions.
This course offers students an introduction into the exciting and complex world of derivatives, securitisations and asset-backed securities. Students will learn about the pros, cons and structure and operations of the securitised bond markets. Fixed-income securities, credit risk, securitised lending, and asset-backed securities will be covered extensively. The basic processes of structuring ABS deals, including how to value them as well as the risk management process required to manage a portfolio of these instruments, will also be covered.
Open-ended funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become very popular, cost-effective and efficient ways for investors to build diversified portfolios. Funds are widely used by investors and include a wide variety of assets including bonds equities, real-estate and commodities. This course will focus primarily on the different types of funds available to investors ranging from Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), to open-ended and closed-ended funds. The course will contrast ETFs versus traditional funds, differentiate between active and passive management, explain the prospectus, expense ratios and other key points.
The intent of this course is to help professionals better understand the link between risk and crisis management. The mantra of no risk, no reward still holds true, yet decision makers need to be fully aware and prepared for the various foreseen and unforeseen risks that can lead to crisis scenarios.This course is highly recommended to individuals that are new to the world of risk management and professionals that would like to better understand crisis management and recovery scenarios.
Immerse yourself in the innovative world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with this engaging 2-hour course, “AI: An Exploration into ChatGPT and Midjourney.” This course aims to provide a robust understanding of the fundamental concepts of AI, with a special focus on Generative AI. Participants will gain valuable insights into the transformative power of Generative AI algorithms such as ChatGPT by OpenAI and Midjourney through the examination of the latest advancements and future trends. These ground-breaking technologies are shaping diverse professional fields, from Human Resources and Marketing to Education. The interactive session is designed to foster a deeper comprehension of how Generative AI can be tailored to address specific professional requirements of our participants. Attendees will depart with an enriched understanding of Generative AI, its real-world applications, its opportunities, risks, and challenges.
As far as the creation of AML and Financial Crime Compliance policies is concerned, the gatekeeper, controller and the place where the “buck stops”, is the MLRO. This is a critically important position within any firm covered by AML Rules. When it comes to the identification, detection, escalation, reporting, managing and training of staff on Anti-Money Laundering procedures, it is the responsibility of the MLRO to ensure this all happens as effectively and efficiently as possible.
