ISFB interviews
The "vault" of financial expertise
You've been an ISFB lecturer and exam expert for many years. What does your job involve?
In my role as an expert examiner, particularly in the field of private banking, I play a role a little like that of a referee in a top-level sport. I'm the guardian of the quality and impartiality of the exams. It's not just a question of checking the box of technical skills, it's also a question of assessing the social skills and interpersonal finesse essential to the advisory profession.
In addition to this expert role, I am also a lecturer in the ISFB Certificate in Wealth Planning. Not only do I teach a module in this program, but I also took part, alongside the other lecturers and members of the scientific committee, in its design, under the coordination of our chief engineer Frédéric Ruiz.
In these roles, I've seen first-hand how, over time, future financial advisors trained at ISFB are able to navigate all the waters of the industry, from asset management to mortgages, tax planning and even succession planning. They can act as true conductors, not content with a single melody, but mastering an entire repertoire. This level of expertise is indeed crucial, as banking clients are becoming increasingly sophisticated and demand a service that is often no longer limited to a single score. Personally, I focus on the area of expertise that I master perfectly and that I'm passionate about, namely pension provision, particularly occupational pension provision, with an emphasis on the tax, legal and actuarial aspects.
How do you see your teaching profession evolving?
Our business is becoming increasingly sophisticated and multidisciplinary. Financial technologies, or "fintech", are transforming the way advisors and their customers approach finance-related topics in general. As AI and blockchain develop, the need for ongoing, adaptive training has become even more salient.
With the addition of the ISFB Certificate in Wealth Planning to its offering, ISFB now covers the full range of financial needs, from investment to succession planning for managers. As lecturers, we have a central role to play, since we are not only the ones with the specific knowledge to teach, but also the ones who keep a watch on tomorrow's skills, in conjunction with the scientific committees.
What role do you see the ISFB playing in the banking and financial training ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland?
For me, the ISFB is like the Swiss Army knife of banking training: versatile, reliable and always at the cutting edge. The Institute plays an essential role in providing quality training that meets the needs of the banking industry. It is not just an academy, but a catalyst that constantly adapts its programs to the changing needs of the market. The involvement of ISFB lecturers, all of whom are professionals in the field, means that participants benefit from practical expertise that is immediately transferable to their everyday lives.
In short, the ISFB ensures that the French-speaking part of Switzerland remains the "safe haven" for financial expertise, in terms of technical, social and managerial skills.
Danièle Felley
ISFB exam expert and ISFB lecturer
"Advisors can act as true conductors".
"Advisors can act as true conductors".
Strategic Business Area 1
Continuing Education
The Institute aims to maximize the collective and individual skills of the banking ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland. It trains specialists in technical fields as well as in managerial and interactional skills.
The training program offers different types of training in Wealth Management, Asset Management, Retail & Corporate Banking, Support & Back-Office, Legal, Risk & Compliance and Management.