ISFB certificate Staff and support
Category
Cross-functional support
Level
Master's degree
Format
Presential
Duration
14 non-consecutive days
Language
French
Location
ISFB Geneva premises
Director
Sylvaine Simms
Manager
Oscar Marano
Type
ISFB Certificates
Description
Prices & Admission
Content
Testimonials
Stakeholders
Context
The aim of the "Staff and Support" certificate is to train specialists capable of intervening transversally in support activities within financial institutions. Participants will acquire the knowledge to navigate transversally and globally between the various banking functions, manage communication flows effectively, and optimize internal processes. The program addresses the current challenges faced by support entities, but also by staff management support entities. Thanks to a hands-on approach, participants will develop a global vision of the bank while mastering the technical and organizational aspects of their role.
Key objectives
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Develop a strategy for optimizing decision-making and operational flows, taking into account regulatory and operational requirements.
2. Compare models for organizing functions (i.e. insourcing vs. outsourcing) to identify best practices in different contexts.
3. Assess the impact of technological developments, such as automation and artificial intelligence, on banking functions.
4. Use process optimization principles to improve the efficiency of internal operations.
5. Describe the importance of integration and coordination between different banking functions to ensure smooth operations.
6. Identify the main functions and processes of a management, planning or executive support staff, such as operations processing, decision flow management and reporting.
1. Develop a strategy for optimizing decision-making and operational flows, taking into account regulatory and operational requirements.
2. Compare models for organizing functions (i.e. insourcing vs. outsourcing) to identify best practices in different contexts.
3. Assess the impact of technological developments, such as automation and artificial intelligence, on banking functions.
4. Use process optimization principles to improve the efficiency of internal operations.
5. Describe the importance of integration and coordination between different banking functions to ensure smooth operations.
6. Identify the main functions and processes of a management, planning or executive support staff, such as operations processing, decision flow management and reporting.
Target audience
- Staff specialists, management assistants, cross-functional project managers, specialists working in back-office functions, specialists working in support functions (logistics, IT, communications and marketing, etc.), specialists working in front-office functions who want to broaden their understanding of how a financial institution operates in its cross-functional areas.
Stakeholders
ISFB lecturers have been working in the banking and financial world, or in their respective fields, for many years and are recognized as some of the best experts in our ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland.
Practical information
ISFB Certificates of Specialization are recognized by all member institutions. They are an important professional asset on the job market in French-speaking Switzerland.
Price
- Public : CHF 7'935.-
- Member : CHF 5'950.-
- HG / OCAS / OCE : CHF 3'967.50.-
- FFPC : CHF 0.-
Admission requirements
* This certificate may be financially supported through a partnership between ISFB and FFPC for employees currently working at member institutions in the canton of Geneva. Please check with your Human Resources department.
FFPC rates for the 2027 sessions are subject to change, pending approval by the relevant authority.
FFPC rates for the 2027 sessions are subject to change, pending approval by the relevant authority.
EMS1
Process management
Content: This course introduces the fundamental principles of process management and process mapping. It focuses on methods and tools for optimizing organizational efficiency and improving overall performance through structured process management.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
SIMMS Sylvaine
EMS2
Project and change management in a bank
Content: This course offers a comprehensive introduction to project management, covering its key principles, the project life cycle and the main tools used by professionals. Through case studies, students will learn how to plan, manage and succeed in different types of projects
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: FRIEDHOFF Cornélia
EMS3
IT challenges in the financial sector
Content: This course explores the impact of technology in the banking and financial sector.
We will study innovations in financial technologies (FinTech) and the issues linked to IT security. Participants will also discover best practices in information systems management and analyze the impact of digitalization on the operational and strategic models of financial institutions.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: BOUCHET Sébastien
EMS4
Risk Management
Content: This course is dedicated to risk management in banking and finance.
Participants will learn to master the key stages of this process: identifying risks, understanding their nature and origin, and then assessing their impact on the business. We will then look at financial risk management methods and the main risk management tools used in practice.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: Nicolas Duchene
EMS5
Economy, banking and finance
Contents: Money: role of money in an economy; demand and supply of money; price determination; influence of money on the economic system
Banks: role in the economy; functions and risks; types of banks; business model issues
Macroeconomic variables: growth; inflation; historical and current situation of the main economies; impact of the economic cycle on financial markets and assets
Central banks: role and mandate of a central bank; tools of a central bank; analysis of the current context; monetary policies (restrictive and expansive) in the international environment
Financial crises: historical aspects; analysis of the current context; potential risk factors
Banks: role in the economy; functions and risks; types of banks; business model issues
Macroeconomic variables: growth; inflation; historical and current situation of the main economies; impact of the economic cycle on financial markets and assets
Central banks: role and mandate of a central bank; tools of a central bank; analysis of the current context; monetary policies (restrictive and expansive) in the international environment
Financial crises: historical aspects; analysis of the current context; potential risk factors
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: SCHORDERET Yann
SAQ code(s) assigned: CWMA-ISFB-24-1166
EMS6
Banking Law
Content: This course provides a practical introduction to banking regulation in Switzerland.
We will cover the essential legal bases, in particular the FINMASA, the Banking Law and the OFR. Particular attention will be paid to the management mandate, its legal framework and its implications for financial institutions. Finally, we will study the duties of the securities trader, in order to understand his responsibilities and obligations within the Swiss financial system.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: TOURETTE Pascal
EMS7
Internal control
Content: This course covers the fundamentals of internal control and auditing in financial institutions.
We begin with the principles of internal control, which are essential for securing banking activities, then move on to the role and methods of internal auditing. Particular attention will be paid to fraud management, a major protection issue, as well as to process evaluation, in order to optimize the performance and reliability of operations.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: DE BEAUCÉ Vivien
EMS8
Innovation management
Content: This course focuses on innovation in financial services and change management methods. Using creativity techniques and concrete case studies, participants will develop their ability to design and implement innovative solutions adapted to the sector's current challenges.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: MOECKLI Alexis
EMS9
Strategy
Course Description: This course introduces the fundamentals of banking strategy, combining an analysis of the external environment (market, competition, innovations) with an internal assessment. It aims to provide practical tools for defining strategic directions and strengthening the competitive advantages of financial institutions.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: HOSTETTLER Sylvain
EMS10
Communication
Course Description: This course explores the fundamentals of business communication, with a focus on the specific challenges faced by staff functions. It aims to help participants craft clear, audience-appropriate messages and enhance the impact, influence, and quality of communication within a complex organizational environment.
Possible speakers: LOGOZ Patricia
EMS11
Compliance
Content: This course focuses on current compliance issues in the financial sector.
Participants will learn how to understand compliance principles and effectively combat money laundering. We'll also look at how to apply KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations in practice, and the best methods for monitoring and reporting suspicious activity.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: DE BOCCARD Guillaume
EMS12
Banking operations management
Content: This course is dedicated to financial operations and the day-to-day management of flows in a banking institution.
We will explore treasury operations, essential for ensuring financial stability, as well as payment management, at the heart of banking activities. Participants will also be introduced to market operations and their mechanisms, while developing an in-depth understanding of liquidity management, essential for maintaining a bank's equilibrium and solvency.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: FININI Lino
EMS13
Data management
Content: This course explores data management and analysis, with a focus on protecting sensitive information. It also addresses the challenges of Big Data in the financial sector, providing participants with the tools to exploit and secure data effectively.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: NÉGRI Marc
EMS14
Crisis management
Content: This course covers the fundamentals of crisis management and business continuity planning. It highlights good communication practices in critical situations, and uses case studies to develop practical skills for dealing with the unexpected.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: BOVOLENTA Gabriel
EMS15
Controlling
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: BEN KHALIFA Rafik
EMSexa
Review
Duration: 2h00
Training cross-functional specialists with the new ISFB Staff & Support certificate - Interview with Sylvaine Simms
Sylvaine Simms - Chief of Staff, Wealth & Asset Management Division (BCGE)
"This type of program provides a panoramic view of the bank. It allows participants to understand the links between all the major functions. It thus promotes a staff mentality."
Read the interview
New ISFB Staff and Support Certificate: tailor-made training for cross-functional banking functions
Christophe Nicod - Continuing Education Manager (ISFB)
A new program designed and developed for employees in cross-functional roles!
Read the interview
Sylvaine SIMMS
Sylvaine Simms is an experienced banking professional in Switzerland, specializing in organizational transformation, strategic project management, and change management. Throughout her career, she has worked in demanding financial environments, where she has held management positions and led high-impact transformation programs.
She currently serves as Chief of Staff at BCGE She focuses in particular on issues related to process optimization, the evolution of operational models, and the coordination of cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. Recognized for her ability to structure, unite, and drive change, she helps improve the performance and efficiency of organizations.
She currently serves as Chief of Staff at BCGE She focuses in particular on issues related to process optimization, the evolution of operational models, and the coordination of cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. Recognized for her ability to structure, unite, and drive change, she helps improve the performance and efficiency of organizations.
Cornelia FRIEDHOFF
Cornelia Friedhoff is a banking executive in Switzerland specializing in operations, digital transformation, and innovation. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at BCN, where she oversees operational activities and contributes to the bank’s transformation.
With over twenty years of experience in complex IT and banking environments, she has held leadership roles and managed teams for many years. Her career has taken her through major financial institutions and a banking software provider, with a focus on information systems, innovation, and change management.
Sebastien BOUCHET
Sébastien Bouchet is a technology executive specializing in digital transformation and information systems in the financial sector. He currently serves as Group Chief Technology Officer at the Edmond de Rothschild Group, where he oversees technology strategies, IT innovation, and technology risk management.
With nearly 25 years of experience in Switzerland, he previously held several IT leadership roles at private banks and service companies, strengthening his expertise in enterprise architecture, complex project management, and financial technologies.
Nicolas DUCHENE
Nicolas is an experienced executive in the banking and finance sector, specializing in wealth management and international investment. He has held several C-level positions in international private banks, notably at REYL Group, where he was a partner and headed operations in Asia, including as Managing Director of the Singapore subsidiary before returning to headquarters in Geneva. Prior to that, he worked for renowned consulting firms and financial institutions such as Arthur Andersen and BNP Paribas, developing expertise in wealth planning and corporate finance. He is also involved in leadership roles at Azza Fencing.
Yann Schorderet
With over 20 years of experience in the Geneva financial markets, Yann Schorderet has held positions as an analyst, economist, and strategist, covering the entire investment process, from macroeconomic analysis to asset allocation. With a PhD in econometrics, he has developed quantitative tools for portfolio construction and published a reference work on risk management with Wiley. A former lecturer at the University of Geneva and CFA charterholder, he now focuses on institutional management, big data, and pension fund consulting.
Pascal TOURETTE
Pascal Tourette holds a law degree from the University of Geneva (1998). After completing his legal training at a leading Geneva law firm and at the Office of the Attorney General in Geneva, he was admitted to the bar in 2001.
He then helped set up the Compliance Department of a major foreign bank based in Switzerland, where he was responsible for anti-money laundering and banking criminal law issues. In 2004, he obtained a continuing education certificate in Compliance Management from the University of Geneva in collaboration with HEG Geneva.
He completed his education with an LL.M. in international, commercial, and European law at the University of Sheffield, specializing in bankruptcy law, economic crime, and corporate law.
Pascal Tourette advises banks, securities dealers, and asset managers on banking law and compliance. He also practices contract law, civil law, international administrative assistance, and economic criminal law, and acts as a lawyer before civil, criminal, and administrative courts.
Vivien DE BEAUCÉ
Vivien de Beaucé is an expert in risk analysis and management in the banking sector, currently employed at REYL Intesa Sanpaolo in Geneva, Switzerland. He serves as Head of Regulatory Risk Management, overseeing all categories of banking risks, such as financial and operational risks. He regularly contributes to the drafting of bank guidelines on risk management and led an innovative IT project as part of the implementation of the risk management framework using risk management tools deployed throughout the bank. He has extensive experience in assessing operational and economic environments and in scenario analysis. He pursued his academic studies internationally, notably at Trinity College Dublin and Hokkaido University in Japan, and served as a Strategic Risk Analyst at BCV before joining Banque REYL Intesa Sanpaolo. Vivien de Beaucé is recognized for his ability to analyze changes in the Bank’s environment and risk profile and to propose strategic approaches to anticipate and mitigate financial risks, thereby contributing to the soundness and compliance of his institution’s operations
Alexis MOECKLI
Alexis Moeckli is a Swiss entrepreneur specializing in collaborative innovation and design thinking. Founder of WENOVE Innovation Studio, he supports organizations and teams in creating innovative solutions by placing people at the heart of the process. He is also involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives that promote collective intelligence.
Sylvain HOSTETTLER
Sylvain Hostettler is a Swiss finance and business management professional. He currently holds the position of Head of Business Management at Edmond de Rothschild in Switzerland, where he is responsible for commercial activities and strategic transformation projects. Prior to this, he held various positions within the same institution, including Deputy Head of International Private Banking and Head of Private Banking Development, demonstrating strong expertise in international development and strategic implementation.
Sylvain Hostettler has also worked as a senior consultant in strategy and compliance, as well as in financial institutions such as BCV and UBS. He holds the CAIA designation and a master's degree in management from HEC Lausanne, supplemented by studies in business administration at the University of Geneva.
Patricia Logoz
Patricia Logoz is a member of the Executive Board at Raiffeisen, where she is responsible for the Front Office and the teams of advisors serving private and corporate clients in the canton of Geneva. A graduate of the École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), she has developed an approach focused on strategic vision, team leadership, service quality, and operational excellence.
Before joining Raiffeisen, she spent 12 years at UBS, including several years in the Geneva regional management team, supporting the Executive Board in its strategic activities. She then managed teams and led projects in the three business units of a universal bank: Wealth Management, Corporate & Institutional Clients, and Retail.
Before joining Raiffeisen, she spent 12 years at UBS, including several years in the Geneva regional management team, supporting the Executive Board in its strategic activities. She then managed teams and led projects in the three business units of a universal bank: Wealth Management, Corporate & Institutional Clients, and Retail.
Guillaume DE BOCCARD
Guillaume a acquis une expérience spécifique en exerçant au barreau de Genève, en travaillant chez Credit Suisse à Zurich et en tant que membre de l'équipe chargée des projets juridiques et réglementaires chez Pictet & Cie, où il a notamment travaillé sur les projets Rubik, FATCA, Cross-border et CFTC. Il a fondé de Boccard Conseil SA en réponse à la demande croissante de conformité aux nouvelles réglementations financières et afin de développer une collaboration constructive, fructueuse et durable avec les institutions financières et les intermédiaires. Guillaume de Boccard est associé gérant de Geneva Compliance Group, une société qui fournit des services de conseil en matière de conformité et de déclaration fiscale aux institutions financières depuis la fusion de de Boccard Conseil SA.
Lino FININI
Lino began his career at Banque Indosuez, where he spent eight years in software development and systems maintenance. This period confirmed his decision to turn his passion for IT into his profession. He then joined Lasercom (now Vilt), where he spent five particularly rewarding years traveling across Europe, putting his IT expertise at the service of banks and insurance companies. He supported and trained new employees and provided clients with integrated solutions designed specifically for their needs. He left the company with numerous successful software and hardware implementations under his belt, as well as solid managerial experience. When he joined the Swissquote Group, he was ready to take on the challenge of creating a bank from scratch. For 22 years, he played a key role in operations management, developing extensive expertise in several areas.
Marc NEGRI
Marc Negri is a data management and architecture specialist based in Geneva. With a background in computer engineering and an Executive MBA, he has been working for several years at the intersection of technology, strategy, and data governance. Curious and pragmatic, he is particularly interested in how organizations can better use their data to make more informed decisions and create sustainable value.
Gabriel BOVOLENTA
Gabriel is an experienced professional in finance, risk management, and business management. Over the course of his 15-year career in the financial sector, he has assisted several leading banking institutions in defining and implementing governance frameworks and cross-functional processes, both in Switzerland and internationally. Gabriel has led the Pictet Group’s Corporate Resilience team since 2023. He is a project manager, engineer, and certified financial analyst. He also holds an Executive MBA from HEC Lausanne.
Rafik BEN KHALIFA
Rafik Ben Khalifa is an expert consultant at Cost House Switzerland in Geneva. With over 15 years of experience in management consulting, he assists finance departments and support functions, particularly within banking institutions, in performance management and cost control, from defining indicators to deploying reporting tools.
He works on structuring cost accounting, cost allocation, costing models (including Activity-Based Costing), and improving budgetary processes. He leads projects to overhaul management systems, developing cost center allocation models, performance improvement programs, and dashboards for operational and strategic monitoring. As part of the ISFB Staff & Support Certificate, he brings a directly transferable approach focused on improving the reliability of indicators and the quality of management dialogue.
He works on structuring cost accounting, cost allocation, costing models (including Activity-Based Costing), and improving budgetary processes. He leads projects to overhaul management systems, developing cost center allocation models, performance improvement programs, and dashboards for operational and strategic monitoring. As part of the ISFB Staff & Support Certificate, he brings a directly transferable approach focused on improving the reliability of indicators and the quality of management dialogue.
Information
A question about this service? Our manager is at your disposal
Category
Cross-functional support
Level
Master's degree
Format
Presential
Duration
14 non-consecutive days
Language
French
Location
ISFB Geneva premises
Director
Sylvaine Simms
Manager
Oscar Marano
Type
ISFB Certificates
Information
A question about this service? Our manager is at your disposal
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