Media Release
IFSE Institute Launches the ‘Investing in Alternative Mutual Funds and Hedge Funds’ Course
February 1, 2021 (Toronto) – IFSE Institute, the educational arm of The Investment Funds Institute of Canada, today announced the introduction of its ‘Investing in Alternative Mutual Funds and Hedge Funds’ course. This course provides new registrants with the foundation needed to understand the fundamentals about alternative mutual funds and hedge funds.
“With this course, we aim to ensure Canadians receive tailored, reliable advice from dealing representatives about a product that is newly accessible to retail investors,” said Christina Ashmore, managing director of IFSE.
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) recently issued Temporary Exemptions from National Instrument 81-104 Alternative Mutual Funds. Dealing representatives who successfully complete the Canadian Investment Funds Course and the new alternative funds course will now fulfill the proficiency requirement to offer alternative mutual funds to their clients.
Access to alternative funds was authorized by the CSA in 2019 as part of their efforts to modernize the existing regulatory framework.
Visit IFSE.ca to learn more about ‘Investing in Alternative Mutual Funds and Hedge Funds’ and other IFSE courses.
About IFSE
IFSE Institute is the educational arm of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. IFSE is committed to delivering best-in-class financial education and support for individuals, financial services companies and academic institutions. As a proven leader in financial services training, IFSE is entrusted by the regulators to be an approved education provider to the Canadian financial services industry. IFSE is a not-for-profit organization that has been creating affordable, innovative learning solutions since 1967. Most notably, IFSE offers the Canadian Investment Funds Course and the Exempt Market Proficiency Course leading to mutual fund and exempt market registration respectively.
For more information
Amine Moughli, Marketing and Communications Specialist, IFSE Institute: 905-366-0846, amoughli@ifse.ca
IFSE Institute Launches ‘Faces of the Industry’ Campaign to Promote Careers in Financial Services
May 23, 2019 (Toronto) – IFSE Institute, the educational arm of The Investment Funds Institute of Canada, today announced the rollout of its ‘Faces of the Industry’ campaign. The online campaign, aimed at promoting careers in financial services, spotlights 12 industry professionals across a breadth of roles, including marketing, operations, compliance, and wealth management.
“With this campaign, we sought to bridge the gap between perception and reality when it comes to pursuing a career in financial services,” said Christina Ashmore, managing director of IFSE. “We realized that there are a lot of preconceived notions that are discouraging people from entering the industry, the most common being limited knowledge about career options and concerns around experience or educational background.”
The financial services sector directly supports more than half a million jobs in Canada and sector employment has risen by 11.6% since 20071. The robust growth in employment has opened up new career pathways in the sector especially as it evolves to adapt to technological innovation, increasing regulation, and demographic shifts. Most employers in the sector today are looking to hire a diverse range of candidates.
A primary goal of the campaign was to highlight the diversity of the opportunities available and of the backgrounds of those who work and thrive in the sector. IFSE invited industry professionals to share their career-defining moments and offer advice on joining and working in financial services. Many individuals profiled as part of the campaign were originally on a different career path. They entered the industry without a degree or experience in finance, but found a passion for financial services and built successful careers through hard work, perseverance and continuous learning.
“IFSE’s courses and programs are designed to provide professionals with a competitive advantage and success in their roles, whether they are entering the industry or launching a second career,” said Ashmore. “If you have a passion for the industry and are willing to learn, you can build a promising, fulfilling career in financial services.”
Students and industry professionals are encouraged to visit IFSE’s ‘Faces of the Industry’ campaign page and subscribe to learn more about the unique journeys of the 12 industry professionals.
About IFSE
IFSE Institute is the educational arm of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. IFSE is committed to delivering best-in-class financial education and support for individuals, financial services companies and academic institutions. As a proven leader in financial services training, IFSE is entrusted by the regulators to be an approved education provider to the Canadian financial services industry. IFSE is a not-for-profit organization that has been creating affordable, innovative learning solutions since 1967. Most notably, IFSE offers the Canadian Investment Funds Course and the Exempt Market Proficiency Course leading to mutual fund and exempt market registration respectively.
For more information:
Sherin Antony, Marketing and Communications Specialist, IFSE Institute: 905-366-0840, santony@ifse.ca
1 The Conference Board of Canada, for the 10-year period 2007-17
IFSE Launches New Brand and Website to Better Serve Students
Toronto, ON – June 27, 2016 – IFSE Institute, the education arm of The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC), today announced the launch of its rebranded website, IFSE.ca, to better serve students as they, in turn, work to strengthen their knowledge to better assist investors.
“IFSE is committed to delivering innovative, best-in-class financial education and superior service to the industry,” said Christina Ashmore, managing director of IFSE. “The new brand reinforces these commitments and conveys our focus on the future.”
IFSE’s website includes several new features:
- IFSE’s Careers page will give students exposure to real-life case studies that show how former students’ careers have benefited from the Institute’s courses.
- IFSE’s Blog will cover key regulatory developments and product trends across the financial services industry.
“Our strengthened online presence enables us to provide a more user-friendly experience to our students, and draws on evolving innovation and technology,” noted Ashmore.
IFSE partners with the financial services industry to offer several investment funds proficiency courses, including the Canadian Investment Funds Course and the Branch Managers’ Examination Course. Last year, the company developed a continuing education module on CRM2, which was made available to industry professionals at no charge as part of the industry’s commitment to ensure that the new rules are implemented effectively.
“IFSE is the Canadian leader in its field,” notes Joanne De Laurentiis, IFIC’s president and CEO and chair of IFSE’s board. “Its educational offerings strengthen the level of professionalism within the investment funds industry, so that companies can continually improve the quality of their service to investors.”
Students and industry professionals are encouraged to visit IFSE’s new website frequently for regular updates on new courses, continuing education modules, and regulatory and industry developments.
About IFSE
IFSE Institute is the educational arm of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. IFSE is committed to delivering best-in-class financial education and support for individuals, financial services companies and academic institutions. As a proven leader in financial services training, IFSE is entrusted by the regulators to be an approved education provider to the Canadian financial services industry. IFSE is a not-for-profit organization that has been creating affordable, innovative learning solutions since 1967. Most notably, IFSE offers the Canadian Investment Funds Course and the Exempt Market Products Course leading to mutual fund and exempt market registration respectively.
About IFIC
The Investment Funds Institute of Canada is the voice of Canada’s investment funds industry. IFIC brings together 150 organizations, including fund managers and distributors and industry service organizations, to foster a strong, stable investment sector where investors can realize their financial goals. By connecting Canada’s savers to Canada’s economy, our industry contributes significantly to Canadian economic growth and job creation. The organization is proud to have served Canada’s mutual fund industry and its investors for more than 50 years.
For more information:
Christina Ashmore, Managing Director, IFSE Institute: 905-366-0827, cashmore@ifse.ca
OR
Andrew Perez, Communications Specialist, Public Affairs, IFIC: 416-309-2313, aperez@ific.ca