Interview with Sébastien Leutwyler: the ISFB Investment Advisor Certificate, a practical and innovative training program to support the evolution of investment advice

How do you meet the challenges of a constantly evolving investment universe? The ISFB Investment Advisor Certificate offers a pragmatic and innovative approach to equip professionals with the tools and methodologies essential to their profession. Program Director Sébastien Leutwyler explains the benefits of this training program, designed to support investment advisors in the face of new market trends.

Mr. Leutwyler, you are the Program Director for the ISFB Investment Advisor certificate. Could you give us an introduction to this program and tell us who it's aimed at?

The aim of this certificate is to ensure that the participants' skills in the field of investment advice are enhanced, in line with the priorities expressed by ISFB's partner banks. It is thus aimed at a public occupying a wide range of functions within Geneva's financial institutions. We have also recently reworked the program to ensure its relevance both in terms of content, by covering subjects that are immediately relevant to market needs, and in terms of form, by reinforcing its complementarity with the other certification courses offered by ISFB in this field (mainly Wealth Planning and Family Officer). The result is a course now structured around three thematic blocks, spread over a total of eight days:

• The first block is dedicated to traditional assets.
• The second is portfolio management.
• The third covers new-generation assets.

In your opinion, what makes this program so rich and high quality?

What sets this program apart is its resolutely practical approach to the subjects covered. Its aim is to provide participants with tools and methodologies that are directly applicable in their professional environment. This is reflected in the use of numerous practical case studies in the teaching of the subjects covered, as well as the use of processes and frameworks that candidates will find in the institutions that employ them.

For example

• The derivatives module, which includes the use of priceurs,
• The module on alternative investments details best practices in due diligence,
• The introductory module to new-generation assets, which is taught alongside the legal and regulatory contingencies incumbent on every advisor in Switzerland.

What do you see as the main challenges in this area, and how does this program provide concrete solutions?

The main challenge is to maintain the right balance between teaching that guarantees a rigorous fundamental and academic approach to the subjects covered, and the open-mindedness that is essential in a constantly evolving field. Indeed, the world of investments is evolving rapidly, and new assets are gradually entering the specialized curriculum. Think, for example, of private assets, crowdfunding and crypto-assets. Digitization and securitization are two phenomena that are further accelerating this transformation, widening the field of possibilities.

ISFB is ideally positioned to integrate these topics into its training courses, and to support its member institutions - particularly banks - in the challenges they face on a daily basis with their customers. This certificate is a perfect illustration of ISFB's agility and adaptability as a center of competence.

What is your role as Program Director?

The role of a Program Director is similar to that of the oil in an engine. You have to make sure that the curriculum runs smoothly. This involves

• The coherence of the certificate within ISFB's training offer,
• The relevance of the content to the challenges of the field,
• The commitment and relevance of the training profiles are essential to the process, as they guarantee the values and assets of face-to-face training in a digitalizing world,
• Ongoing interaction with ISFB contacts to incorporate feedback from participants and partner banks, and adapt the certificate if necessary.

Sébastien Leutwyler

Managing Partner & CIO (Capitalum Advisors)

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