Introduction to Financial Markets & The City

Introduction to Financial Markets & The City

A two-day course which includes visits to some of the City’s most interesting markets.

Course Aims

To provide those participatingwitha good technical understanding of financial markets, and to help explain the complexities of the City.

By the end of the two days, participants will have

• come to understand the impact of the City on national and on individual life
• seen for themselves some of London’s most important and active financial marketplaces, and been introduced to the City’s other principal financial markets and their activities
• gained a fuller understanding of the various types of instruments that are traded on those markets, and will have learned something about the tasks of those who trade in these markets
• been given an insight into the inter-relations between the various markets, and the reasons behind London’s success as an international financial centre
• developed a closer awareness of the dependence that the financial city places on the infrastructure provided by the Corporation of London

• To explain to those participating the intricacies of the financial City
• To demystify those attending about the roles and jobs of workers in the City’s financial markets
• To promote better understanding of the importance of an efficient City to the nation
• To enable greater comprehension of the linkage between the financial City and economics, current affairs and politics
• To draw attention to the clustering of certain professions and businesses in particular areas of the City

COURSE PROGRAMME

Day 1 – Principally a ‘banking’ day

• Explanation of what the City comprises - size, residents, political and local government, cultural aspects.
  Some history, and a possible visit to City Marketing Suite model
• Examination of locations and activities of principal institutions using individual maps
• Regulatory system, supervision and investor protection
• Explanation of different types of market structures (exchange-traded, OTC, quote-driven and order-driven etc)
• Video ‘Bank of England’ to explain evolving role of central bank and the link between City and Government
• Discussion on the role of banks, different functions and types of bank, securities houses and investment banks
  Lunch - during which a walk around the City may be conducted
  
• Money markets: Treasury bills, interbank, CD's, eligible bills and repo
• Foreign Exchange ( video: ‘Billion Dollar Day’)
• NBFIs - building societies, friendly societies
• Assurance and insurance companies
• Fund management, asset management and unit trusts, hedge funds
• Debt capital markets: government and corporate bonds, public and private, domestic and euro; warrants and convertible issues

Day 2 – Principally focusing on markets

• LIFFE - video and explanation of functions, and other derivative markets
• Commodities markets, possible visit to LME, Baltic Exchange and Lloyds Register of Shipping
• Insurance brokers, underwriters and Lloyd's of London (including visit)
• Equities markets: London Stock Exchange, AIM, Tradepoint and EASDAQ. OFEX, Instinet, CREST and corporate actions will be discussed
• Discussion of bullion market and London Metal Exchange including reference to soft commodities (visit arranged)
• The future: London's continuing role in Europe; the Euro, supervision, regulation and controls
• Conclusion and completion of evaluation forms