Upcoming Events

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 in bringing 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.

Participants will gain a clear and focused understanding of the key role of directors and corporate secretaries in the management and administration of the company. Today, directors are being constantly evaluated and scrutinised by regulators and shareholders and is therefore essential directors appreciate the responsibility of the office, their duties, rights, obligations and the relationship with other stakeholders within the company. Participants will also be exposed to the liability directors face in the event of a breach or non-compliance with any applicable law. Recent judgments will also be considered. This course will also emphasize on corporate governance principles, best practices and the interpretation of various provisions of the Companies Act.

This course will attract CPE credit hours.

This course will be interactively run online through Zoom allowing active participation. Applicants will receive joining instructions by email and may join the course through their computer, tablet or mobile phone. An internet connection is obviously required.

Over the past two decades investors’ choices have expanded tremendously: rather than investing directly in various asset classes, we now have a plethora of investment mechanisms that give investors exposures to different risks. The traditional mutual funds and hedge funds have seen rising competition from ETFs and ETNs as investment providers compete for investors’ funds. In this lecture we will discuss the costs and benefits of each investment choice, the short-term and long term performance and the risks that each harbours for investors. We will also evaluate the costs, most importantly that of illiquidity, and how investors can minimise them for different types of stocks (e.g. small caps vs. large caps).

This course will be interactively run online through Zoom allowing active participation. Applicants will receive joining instructions by email and may join the course through their computer, tablet or mobile phone. An internet connection is obviously required.

This course will explain the characteristics and differences between the various assets classes available to investors, and how these are expected to perform over time. The different types of return on investment that can differ quite significantly between asset classes, as well as other important factors such as liquidity and risk will also be explained. Attendees will also learn about the principle of correlation and how this can affect the value of investments in asset classes as compared to investments in particular instruments. The lecturer will explain the distinction between value and productive asset classes. The participants will learn the importance of diversification by structuring their portfolio that is based on asset class strategies.

This course aims to offer participants an overview of  the regulatory and compliance landscape in relation to  Company Service Providers (CSPs) in Malta. Attendees  will be provided with a foundation to be able to understand  the plethora of requirements imposed by law, regulations  and other rules in force. This course will tackle the duties  of key officers of a CSP such as the Compliance Officer  and the Money Laundering Reporting Officer. The course  will suggest approaches as to how one may draw up a  sustainable CSP practice.

Students will learn how trusts are legal relationship created by one party and places assets under the control of another party referred to as the trustee for the benefit of the beneficiary. Participants will learn the intricacies of trusts, and the legal and tax ramification of their setup. There will also be discussions related to how to properly craft trust deeds and articulate the powers of trustees. Also students will learn why trusts are formed such as for the protection of assets or estate planning and why trustee independence helps avoid any suggestion that the settlor  continues to have control of the trust assets.  

Participants will learn the basic investing concepts, the many different variations of traditional investments available and which type of investments are most suitable for their needs. The course will delve into the history of the capital markets, their role in the economy, the different types of markets, and the activities of exchanges. Participants will also learn about the difference between bonds and equities, what they are, their special characteristics and terminology, how they are priced and the risks of owning such investments. Students will also learn about various investment styles such as value, growth, and fund investing. Students will be taught how to and why they should take a critical look at all investing options based on sound risk/reward assumptions.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) concepts will be covered extensively within financial services entities. This course is designed to familiarise attendees with techniques to detect money laundering. Robust AML policies are necessary to safeguard a business’s reputation. The MLRO (money laundering reporting officer) is a key member of an organisation’s management team and has serious responsibilities to manage and supervise anti-money laundering activities. This course will enable participants to design and influence a compliance culture within an organisation.

Human resource policies are continuing guidelines on the approach of which an organization intends to adopt in managing its people. They represent specific guidelines to HR managers on various matters concerning employment and state the intent of the organization on different aspects of Human Resource management throughout the relationship from recruitment and including training, compensation, promotion and career path, and succession. Policies therefore serve as a reference point when human resources management practices are being developed or when decisions are being made about an organization's workforce.

This course will seek to outline the principles of human resource policies, based on current regulations and best practice and will spell out the appropriate actions that should be taken in line with the policies.

This course will be interactively run online through Zoom allowing active participation. Applicants will receive joining instructions by email and may join the course through their computer, tablet or mobile phone. An internet connection is obviously required.

This course offer students an introduction into Islamic Finance which refers to a system of finance that is consistent with the principles of Sharia Law, which emphasises moral and ethical values in all dealings. Sharia prohibits the payment or acceptance of interest charges (Riba) for the lending and accepting of money, as well as carrying out trade and other activities that provide goods or services considered contrary to its principles. Islamic finance has the same purpose as conventional finance except that it operates in accordance with Islamic rules. Individuals taking this course will be provided with an introductory level to the principles and the modus operandi of this alternative system of finance.

This course will offer participants a foundation as to what best practices are in regards to sound corporate governance principles for both limited and publicly traded companies, and their boards and management. The course will offer a basic framework for sound, long-term oriented corporate governance. Discussions will revolve around director and manager governance duties, formulating effective governance cultures, shareholder rights, public reporting, board leadership and independence, succession planning and management compensation, among other topics. Case studies, high profile governance mishaps and successes, along with methods for aligning stakeholder interests will be discussed thoroughly.

In terms of the 4th AML Directive, Subject Persons are  required to identify, assess and understand the risks  of money laundering and terrorist financing which their  business is exposed to. In doing so, a Subject Person  must carry out a Business Risk Assessment and take  into account a number of risk factors, including the risk  pertaining to their customers, countries or geographic  areas, products, services, transactions as well as  delivery channels. Through attendance of the course,  participants will obtain a clear understanding of what  their obligations are and practical ways of how to  achieve them.

Securitisation legislation was introduced in Malta under the Securitisation Act of 2006 but has recently become a fast-growing niche within the country’s financial sector. This course will give participants an understanding of securitisation as a means of alternative finance and the basics of a securitisation transaction, the relevant Maltese and European Union legal framework and examples of how Maltese securitisation structures have been successfully used in practice.

Open-ended funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become a very popular, cost effective and efficient way for investor 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.

Family-run and small businesses go through a life cycle  with two distinct phases: the start-up phase when they  are still developing their strategy, product or service,  clientele, logistics, resource sourcing, and ultimately the  business brand. An important aspect of this initial phase  is the management of business’s cash flows. As the  business grows over time, capital financing may become  a requirements that needs special attention, and at  the other extreme of its life cycle, the business owners  need to understand the succession planning process  and prepare for this. This course is designed to look at  a business through its life cycle address these specific  issues: the various exemptions and concessions  available to start ups and small businesses, financing  options and succession planning.

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.

This course aims to give participants a practical approach to trading foreign exchange, futures and options.   It will cover the futures and foreign exchange markets in depth, along with trading tactics used by professional traders, including directional, option trading, delta neutral positioning, risk and money management principals, the psychology of trading, and portfolio management.  The course will cover technical and fundamental analysis, inter and intramarket spread trading, and other trading strategies. The course also focuses on advanced option trading themes such as various option trading strategies, the Greeks, and managing an options trading book.   Behavioural finance will be introduced to thoroughly  discuss the psychology of trading. Learn what’s going  on inside your head (and others) to make you a better  and more confident trader.  

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 in bringing 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.

Shareholders of private companies often may encounter difficulty when it comes to establishing a value of their business.  This course will address the concept of valuations, through c ompany and goodwill analysis, financial modelling and valuation based on net asset values, all of which may come up with different results! This is an interesting and thought provoking course for 'non accountant' shareholders who are interested to learn more about company financial analysis with special focus on how to value a company.

This course aims to offer participants an overview of the regulatory and compliance landscape by introducing elements of the AIFMD, MIFID, and UCITS directives. Students will be provided a foundation to be able to understand financial regulation and compliance requirements of an MFSA licensed company. The course will explore the optimal compliance structure of a fund or management company including their basic legal structure, the fiduciary duties of a board of directors, investment committee, MLRO, and compliance officer. Furthermore various AIFMD policies will be discussed including risk management, remuneration, valuation, insider dealing polices, etc. 

Participants will learn the basic investing concepts, the many different variations of traditional investments available and which type of investments are most suitable for their needs. The course will delve into the history of the capital markets, their role in the economy, the different types of markets, and the activities of exchanges. Participants will also learn about the difference between bonds and equities, what they are, their special characteristics and terminology, how they are priced and the risks of owning such investments. Students will also learn about various investment styles such as value, growth, and fund investing. Students will be taught how to and why they should take a critical look at all investing options based on sound risk/reward assumptions.

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) is an EU Directive regulating managers of Alternative Investment Funds which are either licensed in, or marketed into, the EU. This course seeks to de-mystify the AIFMD, giving a practical account of the Directive, Maltese rules and regulations transposing the Directive, and structural and operational considerations for AIFMs.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) concepts will be covered extensively within financial services entities. This course is designed to familiarise attendees with techniques to detect money laundering. Robust AML policies are necessary to safeguard a business’s reputation. The MLRO (money laundering reporting officer) is a key member of an organisation’s management team and has serious responsibilities to manage and supervise anti-money laundering activities. This course will enable participants to design and influence a compliance culture within an organisation.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) concepts will be covered extensively within financial services entities. This course is designed to familiarise attendees with techniques to detect money laundering. Robust AML policies are necessary to safeguard a business’s reputation. The MLRO (money laundering reporting officer) is a key member of an organisation’s management team and has serious responsibilities to manage and supervise anti-money laundering activities. This course will enable participants to design and influence a compliance culture within an organisation. 

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.

Students will learn how trusts are legal relationship created by one party and places assets under the control of another party referred to as the trustee for the benefit of the beneficiary. Participants will learn the intricacies of trusts, and the legal and tax ramification of their setup. There will also be discussions related to how to properly craft trust deeds and articulate the powers of trustees. Also students will learn why trusts are formed such as for the protection of assets or estate planning and why trustee independence helps avoid any suggestion that the settlor  continues to have control of the trust assets.  

Participants will learn the basic investing concepts, the many different variations of traditional investments available and which type of investments are most suitable for their needs. The course will delve into the history of the capital markets, their role in the economy, the different types of markets, and the activities of exchanges. Participants will also learn about the difference between bonds and equities, what they are, their special characteristics and terminology, how they are priced and the risks of owning such investments. Students will also learn about various investment styles such as value, growth, and fund investing. Students will be taught how to and why they should take a critical look at all investing options based on sound risk/reward assumptions.

All organisations, whether complex multi-nationals or  SMEs, rely on technology and IT systems to run their  businesses. Management needs to set information  security policies, standards and practices and employees  need to be trained to adhere to them. The subject of  Information Security (IS) can be quite complex and  generally costly. In this session, we aim to clear the  fog around this subject and provide you with a sound  understanding on how to manage Information Security  efficiently within your organisation. This will also be  supported by an overview of what an IT and Cyber  Security Internal Audit entails and the importance  of maintaining such systems. By the end of the  course, attendees will have a sound understanding  of the positioning of Information Security within any  organisation and best practices on how to manage such a function – scaled for size and scope to best suit their company needs. They will also understand the role of the Information Security Auditor and be able to prepare for IS audits. 

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 in bringing 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.

The aim of this course is to provide participants with an overview of the fundamental precepts of Maltese company law. Following an analysis of the distinction between the various types of corporate vehicles available in terms of Maltese law, the course will focus on private and public limited liability company, from creation to dissolution. Fundamental doctrines such as separate legal personality, limited liability, and the lifting or piercing of the corporate veil will be analysed. The various types of share capital, the increase, reduction and transfer of share capital, and the doctrine of capital maintenance will also be discussed. This is followed by an analysis of the regulatory and practical implications of the governance of companies, in the context of a global trend towards more regulation and the need of companies to adhere to strict ethical and legal business practices so as not to jeopardize their corporate brand and business in general. Particular focus will be laid on the duties and responsibilities of directors and, specifically in respect of listed companies, the need to instil a governance culture aligned with the Code of Principles of Good Corporate Governance set out in the Listing Rules. In the final part of the course the substantive and procedural aspects of dissolution, winding up and insolvency, as well as the procedures of company rescue and corporate recovery will be examined.

This course covers the fundamentals of securitisation and key features of structures typically adopted, following a brief introduction setting the context for the prevailing state of affairs over a decade after the global financial crisis from which securitisation as an alternative method for financing emerged severely bruised. The course will delve into the different types of securitisation transactions and the players involved, as well as provide an overview of the relevant regulatory framework at both European and local levels. The lecturer will then explore the more intricate elements of securitisation, including the advantages inherent in securitisation transactions, such as true sale, bankruptcy remoteness and the possibility of forming securitisation cell companies and innovative structures, such as reinsurance special purpose vehicles. The course will conclude with a commentary on what the future holds for securitisation in Malta.

This course will be interactively run online through Zoom allowing active participation. Applicants will receive joining instructions by email and may join the course through their computer, tablet or mobile phone. An internet connection is obviously required.

The course will examine the key VAT considerations which are relevant for businesses operating in the financial services sector, specifically banks and financial institutions and investment services providers. Most, but not all, services supplied by operators in the financial services sector are exempt from VAT. This requires analysis of definitions and scope of the exemption, and understanding the treatment of outsourced services as well as mixed transactions. In the absence of legislative definitions, these have evolved through case-law of the CJEU, as well as domestic practice and guidelines. As a result of the broad scope of the exemptions, VAT is, to varying degrees, a cost to operators in the sector, with the restrictions on input tax recovery potentially resulting in a competitive disadvantage, in particular for those operating on a cross-border basis.

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.  

Have you ever wondered on how to measure and test  a business resiliency to cyber security or assessed the  soundness of your company’s posture to information  security? This course will provide attendees with an  understanding on what is the difference between  the different assessments, how each assessment is  conducted and what each one entails. Attendees will  also be able to discern which assessment is most  suitable for which outcome. With cybercrime on the  increase, it is essential to start understanding the basics  of such activities in order to help prevent such incidents  not only in an organisation but also at home. This course  will provide a basic understanding of cyber security and  social engineering with the necessary knowledge of  simple preventive measures that can be used on a daily  basis to safeguard personal and company data.

This course aims to offer participants an overview of the regulatory and compliance landscape by introducing elements of the AIFMD, MIFID, and UCITS directives. Students will be provided a foundation to be able to understand financial regulation and compliance requirements of an MFSA licensed company. The course will explore the optimal compliance structure of a fund or management company including their basic legal structure, the fiduciary duties of a board of directors, investment committee, MLRO, and compliance officer. Furthermore various AIFMD policies will be discussed including risk management, remuneration, valuation, insider dealing polices, etc. 

Open-ended funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have become a very popular, cost effective and efficient way for investor 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.

Participants will gain a clear and focused understanding of the key role of directors and corporate secretaries in the management and administration of the company. Today, directors are being constantly evaluated and scrutinised by regulators and shareholders and is therefore essential directors appreciate the responsibility of the office, their duties, rights, obligations and the relationship with other stakeholders within the company. Participants will also be exposed to the liability directors face in the event of a breach or non-compliance with any applicable law. Recent judgments will also be considered. this course will also emphasize on corporate governance principles, best practices and the interpretation of various provisions of the Companies Act.

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. 

This course is an introduction to understanding how to use financial information to value and analyse companies. The course focuses on the practical application of financial statements analysis. Students will learn how to create and analyse financial ratios such as debt to equity, profit margins and more. Participants will gain analytical skills involved in reading and interpreting the financial health and profitability of a company through quantitative and qualitative techniques. A number of case studies and financial statements of actual companies will be analysed.

This course covers material relating to the understanding of the theoretical foundations that underpin modern investment and risk management techniques. Participants will gain a solid foundation in risk management by learning how to identify, asses and to mitigate risks. They will learn how risk managers manage risk relating to equity, fixed income and other financial products, and appreciate the evolution of derivatives as risk management instruments. Financial and operational risk will be covered extensively as will hedge techniques using futures, forwards and options.