CISI International Introduction to Securities and Investments

Course Overview

The International Introduction to Securities and Investments offers a broad introduction to the financial services professional sector, with a specific focus on investments from a global perspective. It is the foundation exam for many higher level CISI qualifications.

The qualification focuses on international markets and covers key financial principles and products in depth including assets and markets, equities, bonds, derivatives and investment funds. It explores the broader economic environment in which the financial services profession operates and looks at how economic activity is determined and managed in different economic and political systems. The qualification offers an introduction to financial services regulation and ensures candidates are provided with an understanding of ethical behaviour and acting with integrity.

Training Objectives

Each learning objective begins with one of the following prefixes: know, understand or be able to calculate. These words indicate the different levels of skill to be tested.

• Knowing requires the candidate to recall information such as facts, rules and principles

• Understanding requires the candidate to demonstrate comprehension of an issue, fact, rule or principle

• Ability to calculate requires the candidate to be able to use formulas to perform calculations

Training Outline

• Introduction

• Economic Environment

• Financial Assets and Markets

• Cash Deposits

• Money Market Instruments

• Property

• Foreign Exchange Market

• Equities/Stocks

• Bonds

• Corporate Bonds

• Derivatives

• Investment Funds

• Financial Services Regulation

• Other Financial Products

Who Should Attend

It is suitable for new entrants to the profession and staff who are beginning their career in financial services. The broad topics covered make the qualification suitable for all staff, not just those responsible for making investment decisions, including administration, finance and accounting, IT, customer services, sales and marketing and HR and training.

Industry Expert | Demetris Nicolaou, CFA

Demetris Nicolaou is a Director of Leon Income Fund and Head of Business Development at Leon MFO Investments Ltd. Previously he was Executive Director and Portfolio Manager at Hanseatic Capital Management. He has also worked as the CFO of D. Nicolaou & Sons Ltd and at Alpha Bank Ltd as Head of Asset Management. He started his career in the USA at Emerging Markets Management as an Analyst and later Portfolio Manager.   

Demetris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics and an MBA from the American University in Washington, DC. He is a CFA Charterholder and served on the board of CFA Society Cyprus as President. He holds CySEC’s Advanced Certificate and the Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors, UK. Demetris is a Certified Trainer by the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA) with expertise in investments and  related regulatory topics.  

Training Style

The programme is designed to enhance participants’ broad understanding via lectures, practical examples, and practice questions.

Most of the training delivery will be based on the CISI International Introduction to Securities and Investments syllabus and the related national regulations. Participants will also benefit from extensive Q&A sessions throughout the course, which can be ideal for general learners and candidates pursuing the respective exam.

Optional Exam

The objective of the examination is to provide candidates with a basic introduction to the financial services industry with a particular focus on investments.

The examination will test candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the following elements:

• Introduction

• Economic Environment

• Financial Assets and Markets

• Equities/Stocks

• Bonds

• Derivatives

• Investment Funds

• Financial Services Regulation

• Other Financial Products

CPD Recognition

This programme may be approved for up to 5 CPD units in Financial Regulation. Eligibility criteria and CPD Units are verified directly by your association, regulator or other bodies which you hold membership.