CWMA SAQ certification preparation program
Catalog | CWMA Certification
Context
The SAQ Client Advisor Bank certification system was developed in close collaboration with the Swiss banking industry and is recommended by Swiss Banking (ASB) to its members.
The SAQ certificate is a guarantee of quality, attesting that the holder has the skills and is familiar with the rules of conduct defined for the profession of customer advisor.
Target audience
The SAQ Wealth Management Advisor CWMA certificate is intended for client advisors who assume client responsibility in one of the following segments or a related segment with a FINMA-authorized bank or an independent asset manager (affiliation to a self-regulatory organization or FINMA authorization):
- Wealth management
- Wealth Management
- Specialized wealth management for ultra-high-net-worth clients (UHNWI & Family Offices)
The advisor has
- technical knowledge of products and services in line with the scope and terms of the Wealth Management Advisor program;
- demonstrable customer advisory skills and competencies in one of the indicated segments;
- sufficient knowledge of the rules of conduct defined in the legal provisions to be able to advise customers in the segment concerned.
Holders of a CWMA Wealth Management Advisor certificate can use the title "Certified Wealth Management Advisor or "Certified SAQ Client Advisor.
Key objectives
- Prepare for the exams in a structured and comprehensive way, with face-to-face training and comprehensive, constantly updated learning materials.
- Entrust us, as an accredited external SAQ examination institute, with the organizational and administrative aspects of registration and follow-up in the SAQ register.
Stakeholders
ISFB lecturers have been working in the banking and financial world for many years, and are recognized as some of the leading experts in our ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland.
Organization
Program director : Thierry Lacraz
Certification Manager : Maryse Gabbay
Product Manager : Lionel Blanc
Languages
Preparation sessions in French and English (separate sessions). Exams in the language of the session attended.
A preparation program tailored to your needs
Aware of the disparity in knowledge levels, ISFB offers two exam preparation programs. You begin by taking a placement test covering all exam subjects, to decide on the program best suited to your needs.
Quick program |
Full program |
| For asset managers who already possess a broad theoretical knowledge and would like to learn more about specific modules specific modules. | For asset managers wishing to review the entire the entire subject matter and benefit from collective support. |
| 5 days of training covering the most technical topics in the SAQ body of knowledge | 10 days of training covering the entire SAQ knowledge base |
as well as:
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as well as:
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Similar steps for all programs
Depending on their needs assessment, participants register for one of the two training programs. It is still possible to take the exams without initial preparation.
At each stage, it is possible to request individualized preparation sessions (technical coaching), particularly in the event of unsuccessful exams.
Modules
Quick program |
Full program |
| - | M01 - Financial assets |
| - | M02 - Financial markets |
| M03 - Portfolio management | M03 - Portfolio management |
| - | M04 - Basic products |
| M05 - Derivatives | M05 - Derivatives |
| - | M06 - Structured products |
| - | M07 - Behavioral finance |
| - | M08 - Investment funds |
| General overhaul A | General overhaul A |
| M09 - Investment solutions | M09 - Investment solutions |
| M10 - Financial planning | M10 - Financial planning |
| - | M11 - Financial consulting |
| M12 - Compliance | M12 - Compliance |
| - | M13 - Mortgages |
| - | M14 - Credit solutions |
| General overhaul B | General overhaul B |
| Preparing to speak | Preparing to speak |
Price
The member prices apply to all ISFB member institutes and their employees.
Quick program |
Full program |
|
| Member price | CHF 5'250.00 | CHF 7'950.00 |
| Non-member price | CHF 7'000.00 | CHF 10,570.00 |
Optional:
SAQ preparation coaching (individual) CHF 350/hour
Registrations
Please complete the online application form.
Your registration will then be considered as firm and definitive. 3 weeks before the beginning of the training, you will have access to our ISFB collaborative space, then a few days before the beginning of the training to the specific space reserved for the participants of this training.
The general conditions of the ISFB apply as soon as you validate our offer.
Opening of the next session
Kick-off: September 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
The next session starts on September 9, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
The full training schedule will be available here.
English session
Registration on waiting list. Sessions open to 7 participants or more.
Developing your knowledge deserves more than just a screen: give yourself every chance of passing your exams by training face-to-face, with a team of specialists and other like-minded participants!
What sets us apart?
- As anon-profit organizationour priority is clear: we aim for quality of service before maximizing profit.
- Unlike the generic, one-size-fits-all approaches often offered online, we tailor our teaching to the concrete needs of today's professionals, with a constant concern for excellence and ethics.
- Not only do we speak your employees' language - literally and figuratively, but more importantly, our many specialized trainers are recognized experts, all active in the field of banking and finance in French-speaking Switzerland.
- A ISFB scientific committee scientific committee dedicated to SAQ Certification ensures the quality of the service you receive.
- An in-house team dedicated to the SAQ service maintains close contact with participants and the bank that employs them, in order to provide a detailed analysis of needs and personalised personalized advice.
- A a street-side institute located in the center of Geneva, with excellent transport links and all the equipment you need to prepare for certification with complete peace of mind.
- Access to our Moodle platform to access our online preparation materials.
- Opportunities individual individual or team coachingOur experts specialize in all areas of the body of knowledge.
Could you tell us about your career path and your initial and continuing training?
I have been working in Private Banking since 2011 starting off as an Assistant RM in the Wealth Management division at BSI SA, Bahrain Branch.
In my 13 years of working in the private banking sphere, I have honed by skills and developed my knowledge in the different elements of this business from private banking support, to the investment and advisory universe, credit and wealth management services. The CMWA certification covered every component and topic that could be faced by a senior private banker. It further solidified the knowledge required and gave guidance on structure needed to best serve the HNWI and UHNWI space.
You obtained your CWMA SAQ Certification in 2023. What was your state of mind at the start of the certification process?
I was initially taken aback by the amount of information and material that we needed to cover, especially since there were already many changes happening on the work front that needed attention.
If you had to advise future SAQ certified people, what advice would you give them?
Proper planning is key - do not leave the studying to the last minute!