SAQ CWMA certification with full training

Category
Private Banking & Asset Management
Level
Expertise
Format
Presential
Duration
10 non-consecutive days
Language
French
English
Location
ISFB Geneva premises
Director
Thierry Lacraz
Manager
Lionel Blanc
Type
SAQ Certifications
Description
Prices & Admission
Content
Testimonials
Stakeholders

Context

The SAQ Client Advisor Bank certification system was developed in close collaboration with the Swiss banking industry, and is recommended by Swiss Banking (SBA) 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 client advisor profession.



Image description


Key objectives

- Prepare for the exams in a structured and comprehensive way, with face-to-face training and comprehensive, constantly updated learning materials.
- Pass the SAQ and CWMA exams, with the option of individual SAQ preparation coaching. You must obtain a minimum score of 70% in each of the two written exams, with no average being calculated between the two tests. Once you have passed both written tests, you can register for the oral exam. A score of at least 70% is also required to pass. Passing all three tests (A, B, oral) awards SAQ CWMA certification. Make-up exams, if any, will be invoiced.
- As an accredited external SAQ examination institute, we handle the organizational and administrative aspects of registration and follow-up in the SAQ register.

Target audience

The SAQ Wealth Management Advisor CWMA certificate is intended for client advisors who assume responsibility for clients in one of the following segments or a related segment with a FINMA-approved bank or an independent asset manager (affiliated to a self-regulatory organization or authorized by FINMA):
- Wealth Management
- Wealth Management
- Specialized wealth management for ultra-high-net-worth clients (UHNWI & Family Offices)

The advisor has:

The required technical knowledge of products and services in accordance with the scope and terms of the Wealth Management Advisor program;

Demonstrable skills and competence in advising clients in one of the indicated segments;

Sufficient knowledge of the rules of conduct defined in the legal provisions to be able to advise clients in the segment concerned.

Holders of a CWMA Wealth Management Advisor certificate may use the title "Certified Wealth Management Advisor" or "Certified SAQ Client Advisor".

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.

Practical information

Un programme de préparation qui s'adapte à vos besoins
Pour les gestionnaires de fortune qui souhaitent passer en revue l’ensemble de la matière et bénéficier d’un accompagnement collectif. A l'issue de ce programme, les participants obtiendront la Certification SAQ CWMA.

10 journées de formation couvrant tout le corpus de connaissances SAQ ainsi que:
- Suivi administratif et de reporting complet avec SAQ
- Finance d’inscription pour le certificat SAQ compris dans le forfait
- 2 tests de positionnement (partie A & partie B)
- 2 examens écrits (partie A & partie B)
- 2 demi-journées de révision collective
- 1 journée de préparation à l’oral en groupe
- 1 examen oral final

Des étapes clés

Un test de positionnement global est proposé en début de programme, ceci afin de permettre aux participants d'identifier rapidement leurs lacunes. En fonction de l’évaluation de leurs besoins, les participants peuvent donc cibler leur apprentissage au moyen des journées de formations proposées ainsi que du matériel d'auto-apprentissage à leur disposition.

La présentation aux examens sans préparation initiale reste possible.

A chaque étape, il est possible de solliciter des séances de préparation individualisée (coaching technique), notamment en cas de non-réussite des examens.

A la fin du programme, une fois tous les examens réussis, les participant éligibles à la Certification, se voient délivrer leur Certificat SAQ CWMA. 

Les participants ne répondant que partiellement aux critères d’éligibilité à la Certification, se voient délivrer une Attestation SAQ CWMA.

Les participants ne répondant à aucun des critères d’éligibilité à la Certification ont la possibilité de passer des examens spécifiques afin d’obtenir le Certificat ISFB Private Banking Advanced.

Price

  • Public: CHF 10,570
  • Member: CHF 7'950.00
CWP1

Kick-off session

Content: Brief introduction to certification and introduction to the process and next steps
Duration: 1h00
Format: Online
CWP2

Positioning test A

Duration: 2h30
Format: In-person
CWP3

Positioning test B

Duration: 2h30
Format: In-person
CWP4

Financial assets

Contents: This chapter describes the main classes of financial assets, in particular equities and bonds. It describes the organization of these markets and the different ways of investing in them. The chapter also describes the valuation mechanisms of these asset classes, their sensitivity to the economic and financial environment, and the risks associated with their use. The chapter also describes the organization and operation of alternative asset classes such as hedge funds, commodities and real estate.
Duration: 4h00
Format: In-person
Intervenants possibles : YAU Ed
CWP5

Financial markets

Contents: The chapter is devoted to describing financial markets and how they operate, both from the investor's point of view and from that of the regulatory authorities. The functioning of the economy is also outlined, given the close interconnection between monetary and fiscal policies and the performance of financial assets. Finally, this chapter looks at the foreign exchange market, which is of major importance to all multinational and export-oriented companies.
Duration: 4h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: MAEDER Yves
CWP6

Portfolio management

Contents: The chapter is devoted to the investment process and portfolio construction. It explains the notion of market efficiency and the central principle that higher returns can only be achieved by taking greater risks. This chapter describes the mechanisms used to build portfolios, as well as the ratios used to measure performance.
Duration: 6h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: SERBIT Julien
CWP7

Basic products

Content: Payment transactions have always been at the heart of banking. For customers, basic products such as savings books and credit cards are important for two reasons: good asset management can slightly improve returns, while minimizing the amount of money spent on pure payment transactions. This chapter reviews the banks' product offering, and in particular the development of more innovative products (credit cards, applications available on smartphones, etc.).
Duration: 2h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: SERBIT Julien
CWP8

Derivatives

Contents: This chapter examines options, which have the advantage over other traditional assets of taking into account the volatility of the underlying assets. The options market is relatively old, but has grown considerably in recent decades. After describing the main families of options (calls/puts) and their investment methods (long buy/short sell), the chapter goes on to analyze the most common investment strategies using options (portfolio hedging, short put or covered call strategies).
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: PATRY Anais
CWP9

Structured Products

Content: Structured products are an extension of the use of options in an investment portfolio. Generally made up of a fixed-income instrument and options, structured products offer a wide range of payoff possibilities, enabling real customization for clients. This chapter examines the various components of pricing, as well as the four main families of structured products. The sales and customer communication process is particularly important for structured products, which often have low liquidity and are sensitive to sharp market reversals.
Duration: 4h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: PATRY Anais
CWP10

Behavioural Finance

Content: Financial theory assumes that all investors are rational in their choices, given optimal market information. In practice, however, this model has its shortcomings, and fails to take into account the different biases in investor behavior. This chapter takes stock of the recent discipline of behavioral finance and identifies the main cognitive or emotional biases in investor behavior. It concludes with an important chapter on the possible interaction between client and advisor in the event of the discovery of one or more of these biases.
Duration: 4h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: MAEDER Yves
CWP11

Investment Funds

Contents: Investment funds are very popular with investors because of the instant diversification they bring to portfolios. This chapter looks at the main families of investment funds, as well as the structure of an investment fund, its regulation and the different orders that can be placed. Investment funds provide an introduction to the more general issue of the respective merits - and costs - of active and passive management, and more generally to the notion of open-architecture portfolio construction.
Duration: 6h45
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: GROSSEN Jan
CWP12

Mock exam A

Duration: 2h30
Format: In-person
CWP13

General overhaul A

Content: Structured review of all Part A modules, accompanied by an interactive question-and-answer session to consolidate acquired knowledge.
Duration: 4h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: VIALIS Nicolas
CWP14

Final exam A

Duration: 2h30
Format: In-person
CWP15

Investment solutions

Contents: This chapter deals with the very important stage of advising bank customers on financial products, and in particular the types of mandate that can be offered to customers. Regulatory developments mean that a customer's risk profile must be taken into account, and how it may change over time. It also examines the solutions offered by the contribution of alternative assets or socially responsible investments to portfolio construction, as well as products linked to liquidity management.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible contributors: LEUTWYLER Sébastien
CWP16

Wealth planning

Content: This chapter examines investment from the broader perspective of planning for all client assets, including real estate and industrial holdings. The chapter includes elements relating to Swiss legislation and, more generally, to the planning of international clients. It examines the concepts of estate planning, private and occupational pension provision in Switzerland, and generic elements of taxation. Finally, it covers the essential concepts of international planning in relation to the establishment of foundations, trusts and life insurance.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: GALLEGOS Albert
CWP17

Financial Advisor

Contents: This chapter is a kind of end point and summary of all the previous chapters. It describes the specific activity of the client advisor, and the role and added value he can bring to his client, particularly in the case of UHNWI clients, for whom aspects such as the transfer of the business within the family or legal advice can take on great importance. It also takes stock of all the innovations in the banking sector, mainly digital, and the offer that banks intend to develop.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: AMICHIA Alexandre
CWP18

Compliance

Content: Customer relations regulations have evolved enormously over the last few decades, to the point of forming an impressive corpus that every relationship manager needs to master. This relatively long chapter covers all regulatory aspects, from the very organization of risk control within banks to the practical aspects and best practices to be acquired by all Front Office staff in their day-to-day work.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: DE BOCCARD Guillaume
CWP19

Mortgages

Contents: The level of mortgage indebtedness is high in Switzerland, and it is rare to see a property purchase without financing through one or more mortgages. This chapter, devoted exclusively to mortgages in Switzerland, explains the mortgage market, its players and how it works. It describes the main factors that can influence the pricing of a mortgage.
Duration: 2h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: GIROD Philippe
CWP20

Credit solutions

Content: Loans are a means of introducing leverage into a customer's portfolio performance. As with companies, individuals can seek to take advantage of favorable interest-rate market conditions to increase the return on their portfolio. This chapter reviews the process by which banks decide whether or not to grant credit to their customers, and explains the extremely important notion of risk management for both the customer and the bank, through the mechanism of margin calls. This activity requires a clear understanding of potential risks on the part of both the advisor and the customer.
Running time: 3h45
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: GIROD Philippe
CWP21

Mock exam B

Duration: 2h30
Format: In-person
CWP22

General overhaul B

Content: Structured review of all Part B modules, accompanied by an interactive question-and-answer session to consolidate acquired knowledge.
Duration: 4h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: AMICHIA Alexandre
CWP23

Final exam B

Duration: 2h30
Format: In-person
CWP24

Preparing to speak

Content: Practical exercise and role-play of a customer meeting in preparation for the oral exam.
Duration: 8h00
Format: In-person
Possible speakers: MERINO Juan
CWP25

Oral examination

Format: In-person
SAQ certification: interview with Maryse Gabbay and Thierry Lacraz

SAQ certification: interview with Maryse Gabbay and Thierry Lacraz

Maryse Gabbay - Certifications Manager, Thierry Lacraz - SAQ CWMA Preparation Program Manager

"We are committed to ensuring that every candidate experiences a real improvement in their professional skills and that, ultimately, both they and their employer enjoy a positive 'customer' experience."


Read the interview

Interview with Danièle Felley: Guaranteeing Financial Advisor Excellence with ISFB SAQ CWMA Certification

Interview with Danièle Felley: Guaranteeing Financial Advisor Excellence with ISFB SAQ CWMA Certification

Danièle Felley - ISFB exam expert

"The ISFB doesn't just train candidates to pass an exam: it prepares them to excel in their profession."


Read the interview

Interview with Thierry Lacraz: The SAQ CWMA program, essential training for private banking professionals

Interview with Thierry Lacraz: The SAQ CWMA program, essential training for private banking professionals

Thierry Lacraz - SAQ CWMA Preparation Program Manager

"This training course is aimed at anyone who is in regular contact with high net worth private clients, both in Switzerland and in subsidiaries abroad, whether they are young relationship managers fresh out of university or more experienced colleagues looking to update their banking, financial, and regulatory knowledge."


Read the interview

Ed YAU

Ed YAU

Ed est Senior Fund Manager and Head of ESG chez Piguet Galland
Director of Engagement – Asia Research and Engagement 2018
Head of Research – Ellis Munro Asset Management 2013
Yves MAEDER

Yves MAEDER

Yves débute sa carrière auprès du Credit Suisse à Zürich puis rejoint des banques privées de renom telles que la LGT Bank et la banque Piguet Galland & Cie. Fort de son expérience bancaire, il décide de donner un nouveau tournant à sa carrière professionnelle en 2013 et s’oriente vers le métier de gérant indépendant. Il a rejoint Kessler Gestion SA en avril 2021.
Julien SERBIT

Julien SERBIT

Julien Serbit est membre du comité d’investissement de Prime Partners depuis 2016 et co-responsable de l’allocation d’actifs.
Il est également gérant de produits multi actifs et actions.
Julien possède plus de vingt ans d’expérience dans le domaine de l’investissement auprès de Lombard Odier, Pictet, Reyl et Prime Partners
Anais PATRY

Anais PATRY

Anaïs Patry est titulaire d'un BA (Hons) en International Business Administration de l'Université de Nottingham Trent (Royaume-Uni) et d'un MSc en Finance de l'EDHEC Business School (France). Après avoir débuté sa carrière en 2011 comme Analyste Risques de crédit et marché au sein de BNP Paribas (Paris), elle a acquis une solide expérience dans le domaine de l'investissement en tant que vendeuse de produits structurés (Leonteq (Monaco, Genève), Vontobel (Genève)) et gestionnaire de portefeuille au sein d'un Multi Family Office basé à Genève. Elle a rejoint la Banque Syz en mars 2022 en tant qu'Investment Advisor dans le but de conseiller la clientèle High and Ultra High Net Worth sur les opportunités d'investissement cross asset ainsi que de gérer le développement de l'offre de produits structurés pour la Banque.
Jan GROSSEN

Jan GROSSEN

Jan est conseiller en gestion de fortune spécialisé pour les exécutives et entrepreneurs auprès de la Banque Julius Bär à Genève. Dans le secteur bancaire depuis 1995 et actif dans la gestion de fortune pour la clientèle domestique depuis près de 20ans, Jan à exercé au sein de l’UBS avant de rejoindre Julius Bär en 2019. Formateur occasionnel au sein de l’ISFB depuis 2011 pour différentes branches liées à la gestion de fortune. Titulaire du Brevet Fédéral de Spécialiste en Économie Bancaire ainsi que du Diplôme Fédéral d’Expert en Finance et Investissements certifié « International Wealth Manager CIWM ».
Nicolas VIALIS

Nicolas VIALIS

Nicolas est gestionnaire de fonds expérimenté qui suit un processus d'investissement très défini, en utilisant une approche quant/fondamentale et des filtres ESG. Il est spécialisé dans les actions suisses et les actions mondiales. Il enseigne les investissements, l'ESG et la gestion de portefeuille à des cadres supérieurs depuis 15 ans.
Sébastien LEUTWYLER

Sébastien LEUTWYLER

Sébastien est titulaire d’un Masters en économie de l’université de Genève, d’un MBA en Stratégie & Management de la Stockholm School of Economics et Hong Kong University et de la certification d’administrateur de sociétés de la Swiss Board School. Il est, par ailleurs, titulaire du Diplôme Fédéral d’Expert en Finance et Investissement, certifié CIWM (Certified International Wealth Manager), CAIA (Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst) et CESGA (certified ESG Analyst).
Albert GALLEGOS

Albert GALLEGOS

A Swiss lawyer with a Master's degree in international law from the University of Lausanne, he holds an MBA from HEC-Unil Lausanne and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Neuchâtel. He also holds the title of Certified Wealth Management Advisor (
) from SAQ Swiss Association for Quality.

He has extensive experience in financial planning (taxation, pensions, investments, real estate, matrimonial and inheritance law), gained while working at a bank as director of the Wealth Solutions business unit.

He regularly publishes articles on financial issues and leads seminars and conferences. He is also co-author of the books "Le guide de votre prévoyance" (Your Pension Guide) and "Guide de vos finances personnelles" (Your Personal Finance Guide).
Alexandre AMICHIA

Alexandre AMICHIA

Alexandre est spécialiste hautement qualifié en solutions d'investissement, avec plus de 10 ans d'expérience professionnelle, alliant des compétences avancées en leadership, en gestion des risques financiers (certifications CAIA, FRM), en science des données (COS Applied Data Science - EPFL), en gestion du personnel et des compétences transversales approfondies dans la négociation et la mise en œuvre de solutions d'investissement complexes.
Guillaume DE BOCCARD

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.
Philippe GIROD

Philippe GIROD

Philippe est titulaire d'un Bachelor of Science HES-SO en économie d'entreprise de la Haute Ecole de Gestion de Genève, avec spécialisation en Banque et Finance, je bénéficie d'une solide expérience bancaire. Ayant travaillé avec la clientèle internationale et Suisse, j'ai développé mes compétences aussi bien dans le domaine des placements que dans le domaine des financements. Mon CAS en Fusions, Acquisitions et transmissions d'entreprises me permet de conseiller les entrepreneurs souhaitant transmettre/vendre leur entreprise et ceux souhaitant acquérir une nouvelle société.
Juan Merino

Juan Merino

Juan est formateur polyvalent en conseil et vente, coach exécutif et spécialiste des ressources humaines, il possède 25 ans d'expérience dans le développement des talents, le conseil en leadership, l'évaluation des compétences, l'apprentissage et les projets de communication.

Information

A question about this service? Our manager is at your disposal
Lionel Blanc
Lionel Blanc
Product Manager
Category
Private Banking & Asset Management
Level
Expertise
Format
Presential
Duration
10 non-consecutive days
Language
French
English
Location
ISFB Geneva premises
Director
Thierry Lacraz
Manager
Lionel Blanc
Type
SAQ Certifications

Information

A question about this service? Our manager is at your disposal
Lionel Blanc
Lionel Blanc
Product Manager
Registration
Spring 2026
In progress
Autumn 2026
Available