Developments at SAIFM

By Karin van Wyk, CEO, SAIFM

SAIFM 2^nd Regulatory Summit: 1 October 2015, Hilton, Sandton

The 2^nd SAIFM regulatory summit was again a huge success due in no small way to the eminent speakers who are experts in their fields. This followed on the huge success of the inaugural SAIFM Regulatory Summit held on 1 September 2014. Our regulatory summit has become the definitive event in this field, highlighting and explaining regulatory matters. Most important all, it constitutes an independent platform for interaction between industry participants and regulators.

The following speakers from regulatory authorities and industry participants took part.

1. Monica Singer, Strate
2. Caroline da Silva, FSB
3. Tim Masela, SARB
4. Solly Keetse, FSB
5. Natalie Labuschagne, JSE
6. Alvinah Thela, National Treasury
7. George Glynos, ETM Analytics
8. Ingrid Goodspeed, National Treasury
9. Pieter van der Zwan, NWU
10. Brett Kotze, JSE
11. Peter Redman, JSE
12. Eugene van Rensburg, Iress Ltd SA

New membership categories launched

The institute strives to promote the financial markets industry and the practitioners (including corporate entities) who are active in the industry by providing professional training and other activities with a view to promote the objectives specified in the Charter. Membership therefore should encompass the broad spectrum of activities in the markets and provide the possibility of progression through the various classes of membership.

Affiliate member

This class of membership is intended to serve as an entry into the financial markets industry.

An affiliate member shall be entitled to the following benefits of affiliate membership:

• making use of the Institute’s examinations
• participating in training workshops for general education or in preparation for examinations with the appropriate discount relevant to this class of membership
• attending conferences with the appropriate discount relevant to this class of membership
• receiving the Institute’s online magazine, advertisements for positions in the financial markets and any other newsletters that the Institute may issue
• participating in any other activities that the Institute may offer to further its main objectives, including continued professional development (CPD) initiatives
• attending the annual general meeting to participate in discussions but with no voting rights.

To be eligible for affiliate membership, ONE of the following procedures, which will include an undertaking to adhere to the SAIFM Code of Conduct, must be followed:

• Exam candidates: register for affiliate membership and enrol for your examination on virtualexamcentre.co.za
• Financial markets training workshops: register for affiliate membership by completing the registration form obtainable from melissa@saifm.co.za.

Full member

This class of membership is intended to provide recognition to persons who have achieved certain minimum levels of knowledge and understanding of the financial markets by having passed certain examinations required to fulfil particular functions in the financial markets or having achieved such other equivalent or superior qualifications as the Board in its sole discretion may allow.

A full member shall be entitled to the following membership benefits:

• making use of the Institute’s examinations
• participating in training workshops for general financial markets education or in preparation for examinations with the appropriate discount relevant to this class of membership
• attending conferences with the appropriate discount relevant to this class of membership
• receiving the Institute’s online magazine, advertisements for positions in the financial markets and any other newsletters that the Institute may issue
• participating in any other activities that the Institute may offer to further its main objectives, including continued professional development (CPD) initiatives
• attending and voting at the annual general meeting
• using the appellation MIFM after his or her name.

To be eligible to apply for full membership of SAIFM, the applicant must have achieved the two compulsory and any one of the elective RPE modules, or possess a qualification accepted as equivalent or superior to the RPE by the Board of Governors of SAIFM.

To apply for full membership of SAIFM, please download and complete the application form from our website www.saifm.co.za accompanied by a comprehensive CV and send it back with proof of payment of the application fee of R750 (Ex Vat).

Fellowship

This class of membership is intended to provide recognition to the most senior and accomplished financial markets practitioners. Admission as a fellow is a prestigious category of membership which is seldom bestowed on applicants. It affirms the eminence of financial market practitioners who have achieved this honour.

Fellows only are eligible to be elected onto the Board of Governors of SAIFM as their expertise and experience are regarded as essential in formulating strategic plans and managing and controlling SAIFM’s activities in the best interests of the financial markets.

A fellow shall be entitled to the following benefits of this class of membership. These benefits include –

• making use of the Institute’s examinations
• participating in training workshops for general financial markets education or in preparation for examinations with the appropriate discount relevant to this class of membership
• attending conferences with the appropriate discount relevant to this class of membership
• receiving the Institute’s online magazine, advertisements for positions in the financial markets and any other newsletters that the Institute may issue
• participating in any other activities that the Institute may offer to further its main objectives, including continued professional development (CPD) initiatives
• voting at the annual general meeting
• eligibility to be elected to the Board of Governors
• using the appellation FIFM after his or her name.

To be eligible to apply for fellowship, a member must comply with the following requirements:

• The applicant should have been a member for at least 6 months.
• The applicant must have established their professional expertise in the financial markets.

This means:

• The applicant must have been actively involved in the financial markets for at least the past five years (i.e. current active involvement).
• The applicant must have currently a senior or top management position (i.e. a position where decision-making can significantly be influenced)
• The applicant must have acquired such eminence in the field of the financial markets that his/her admission would be in the best interests of SAIFM.
• The applicant must have made a contribution to the Financial Markets, which should include TWO or more of the following:
• He/she should have played a significant role in developing or running one or more markets, instruments, indices, market benchmarks etc.
• He/she should have an academic qualification superior to and approved by the Board in addition to the minimum examination requirements laid down by the Board.
• He/she should have publications in accredited journals, or textbooks or active participation in conferences (presenting) excluding presentations to clients. (Please note that presentations made to clients and newsletters for own clients do not qualify).
• He/she should have played a role in educating financial market participants through formal education, on-the-job training (with referees) or through contributing the establishment of training institutes.
• He/she should have done pioneering work in relevant fields.

The applicant may be required to attend a short interview with the SAIFM Board of Governors.

To apply, please send a comprehensive CV covering as a minimum the requirements above, accompanied by a letter addressed to the Board of SAIFM providing a motivation of why you would like to become a fellow of SAIFM and why your admission as a fellow would be in the best interests of SAIFM.

SAIFM – Workshops

In line with SAIFM’s objectives of promoting professionalism in the financial markets, SAIFM offers regular workshops on a variety of financial market topics.

SAIFM – Workshops (May 2015 – October 2015)

Further workshops planned include:

Should you be interested in attending one of our workshops or, if you would like us to arrange an in-house workshop for you please contact Melissa Joao, who will gladly assist you.

Updated learning material and exams

• The Regulation and Ethics of the SA Financial Markets: Revised learning material and exam available
• Introduction to Financial Markets: Updated learning material available
• The Equity Market: Updated learning material available
• The Bond Market: Updated learning material available
• The Derivatives Market: Updated learning material available
• The Forex Market: Updated learning material available
• The Money Market: Revised learning material and questions. Will go live 30 November 2015.
• JSE Compliance Exam: Revised learning material and exam available.