Developments at SAIFM

By Karin van Wyk, CEO, SAIFM

SAIFM Inaugural Investment Summit 21 June 2016

SAIFM will hold its inaugural investment summit on 21 June 2016 at the Hilton in Sandton building on the success of its annual regulatory summit, planned for September of 2016. SAIFM as the preeminent professional association for the financial markets is well placed to provide an independent platform where cutting edge investment expertise can be shared by speakers, panellists and delegates alike. Audience participation will be encouraged and delegates will be able to network with leading financial market experts.

For more information, please click here.

SAIFM ^3rd Regulatory Summit: September 2016

SAIFM’s annual regulatory summit has become the defining event that informs financial market practitioners in a succinct manner of new developments in the regulatory field. Risks and uncertainties are escalating and keeping up is challenging to regulators as well as executives, compliance staff and other professionals who need to keep track of changes. Of particular value is the opportunity to discuss and engage with each other as well as officials from regulatory authorities.

The programme information will be available on SAIFM’s website in due course.

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 accompanied by a comprehensive CV and send it back with proof of payment of the application fee of R855.00 (Inclusive of 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 to 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.

Further workshops/events planned for include:

Should you be interested in attending one 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.

Advertising vacancies

Companies in the financial markets increasingly recognise the efficacy and affordability of finding appropriate financial market candidates though SAIFM’s recruitment advertisements. SAIFM is thereby furthering its objectives of promoting the financial markets industry by putting financial market practitioners with the companies who need them.

Should you be interested in advertising a vacancy please contact Melissa Joao, who will gladly assist you.

Updated learning material and exams

The following new examinations became available since the last edition:

• The Money Market: Live 11 January 2016
• JSE Derivatives Compliance Officer Exam: 1 November 2015