Catalog Continuing education Understanding finance

Understanding finance

Context

This program, aimed at a wide audience, introduces the main concepts of finance, enabling participants to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms, players and challenges of this industry, as well as their roles. In the first module, participants are introduced to the field of finance from an economic perspective, and are introduced to the main players (SNB, Finma, banks, independent asset managers, self-regulatory bodies, etc.) and regulations.
In the second module, the Swiss pension system is presented to give a better understanding of its mechanisms and challenges (private savings, social insurance, second pillar, third pillar) and the impact on personal taxation. The third module introduces participants to the main investment tools (equities, bonds, crypto, funds, etc.) and their specific features. In the fourth module, participants learn about the different financing mechanisms available to individuals and companies alike.

Key objectives

- Understanding the basic mechanisms of finance
- Understanding the Swiss pension system
- Understanding the main investment tools
- Understanding the main financing tools

Target audience

- Anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the world of finance in general, for personal purposes or with a view to future career development in the field.
Bank employees working in support or cross-functional functions (IT, HR, Accounting, Logistics, etc.).

Stakeholders

ISFB lecturers have been working in the banking world for many years and are recognized as some of the leading experts in our ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland.

Possible evolution

The course leads to the ISFB Retail Banking Certificate or ISFB Private Banking Certificate for people with no general banking knowledge (subject to conditions).

Practical information

Price for the general public. A certificate of attendance is issued to participants who have completed all 4 modules. No knowledge test. No delivery of documentation or course material. No refunds, even partial, once payment has been made.

Price

Public: CHF 500
Member: CHF 500.00

Admission requirements

Please complete the online registration form.

You will then receive an invoice for payment. Your registration will only be confirmed once payment has been received.

The ISFB general terms and conditions apply from the moment you register.

CF01

Understanding the world of finance

Content: This module offers a practical and detailed introduction to essential financial concepts in Switzerland, with an emphasis on the specific features of the Swiss financial system. Participants will learn to understand the mechanisms of financial management, both in a personal and professional context, while exploring the particularities of Switzerland's financial markets and regulations.

Duration: 2h00

Format: Online

Possible speakers: GALLEGOS Albert

CF02

Savings and the Swiss pension system

Content: Discovery of digital issues in the financial sector, so that participants can identify the main challenges and form their own opinions without needing extensive IT knowledge. Review of the history of finance, to equip participants with a general historical financial culture, part of which focuses specifically on the history of finance in French-speaking Switzerland.

Duration: 2h00

Format: Online

Possible speakers: GALLEGOS Albert

CF03

Investment concepts

Content: The aim of this module is to introduce participants to the fundamental concepts of investment in the Swiss banking sector. Through an exploration of the various financial instruments, the types of investments available, and the specific practices in Switzerland, this course helps participants understand how to manage and optimize an investment portfolio in a Swiss banking environment, while taking into account the country's regulatory and tax particularities.

Duration: 2h00

Format: Online

Possible speakers: VIALIS Nicolas

CF04

Financing concepts

Content: This module aims to provide a clear understanding of the different financing mechanisms offered by the Swiss banking system. By addressing the different financing options for companies and individuals, as well as the specifics of Swiss regulation, participants will learn how to navigate credit, lending and corporate financing options in Switzerland.

Duration: 2h00

Format: Online

Possible speakers: GENSALE Flavio

Interview with Albert Gallegos: "Understanding finance", a compass for better decision-making

Albert Gallegos - Head of Wealth Solutions (BCGE)

Albert Gallegos, Program Director of the "Understanding Finance" training course, presents a program designed to demystify financial issues. With a clear and accessible approach, it enables participants to regain control of their financial decisions by integrating sustainable principles that are in line with their values.

Read the interview

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).

Nicolas VIALIS

Nicolas is an experienced fund manager who follows a well-defined investment process, using a quantitative/fundamental approach and ESG filters. He specializes in Swiss equities and global equities. He has been teaching investment, ESG, and portfolio management to senior executives for 15 years.

Flavio GENSALE

After initially training as a civil engineering draughtsman, I decided to switch to the banking sector.
I hold a certificate in "Individual Customer Advisory Services" from the SAQ Institute and have been an SAQ-certified expert since 2013. I regularly work as a trainer and facilitator for seminars on "Mortgage financing at UBS Switzerland AG" for French-speaking Switzerland.
After several years working in a team specializing in real estate development, I took over the management of a team dedicated to financing investment properties for private clients in Geneva.
With over 25 years of experience in banking, I have in-depth expertise in banking products and mortgages.