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ALM First’s Financial Institute equips Participants for Success

Education and networking enhance financial professionals’ performance, keep boards informed.

DALLAS, TX (January 23, 2015) — Staying abreast of the latest techniques and trends in the financial world can mean the difference between success and failure for credit unions and banks. To help finance managers augment their knowledge, learn best-practice strategies and stay current on compliance rules, ALM First Financial Advisors, LLC is offering its well-respected Financial Institute Feb. 18-20, 2015, at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas, Texas.

“Having the tools and financial acumen to manage interest-rate and liquidity risk in any phase of the economic cycle is crucial to an institution’s success,” said Angela Calvert, Partner at ALM First. “Change happens quickly in our world, so it’s important to stay on top of market developments, volatile rates and new tools – as well as regulatory issues. It takes a high level of expertise to achieve a high level of performance.”

ALM First’s three-day Financial Institute offers four educational tracks, three of which focus on financial professionals. The fourth is geared for directors, to increase their overall financial management knowledge.

Directors – This track, geared to directors and non-finance professionals, offers topics such as understanding fiduciary responsibility, enterprise risk management, reviewing the balance sheet and interpreting ratios. Attendees also will discover how to use NEV/EVE analysis resultsanddetermine risk tolerance. The track also offers an introduction to investments, including fixed-income terms, bond pricing and securities.
Fundamental – Targeted to entry- and mid-level finance staff members, the Fundamental track provides education on constructing and interpreting an ALM report; economic statistics, definitions and graphs; and the Fed and how economic releases affect markets. Those in the finance career path can also prepare for the Chartered Financial Analyst exams, with themes such as prepayment sensitivity analysis, spread/basis risk, twisted yield curvesand strategic “what-if” analysis.
Balance-Sheet Management – Attendees on this track will learn the ins and outs of sound asset/liability management, including alternative liquidity sources and funding plans; current trends in mergers and merger valuation; hedging fundamentals and strategies; and loan participation, trading and profitability.Attendees now offering mortgage loans or considering this business line will gain from coursework in mortgage-backed securities, managing the mortgage pipeline and mortgage servicer rights.
Investments – The Investment track is geared to professionals wanting both the fundamentals and more advanced topics on fixed-income portfolio management and portfolio strategy development; economics vs. accounting, and total-return investing; as well as liability-driven investing and risk, return and regulation. Attendees will benefit from advanced education in all aspects of investing, such as security selection and analysis; portfolio strategy; and risk diversification, budgeting and benchmarking.

“Whether the goal is to gain a better understanding of the basic building blocks of asset liability management or to expand investment skills, our Financial Institute will help financial professionals strengthen their abilities,” said Calvert.

ALM First recommends the event for anyone involved in managing or monitoring the balance sheet, including CEOs, CFOs, Senior Management, Controllers, Treasury Staff, Financial Analysts, Accountants, ALCO and Board Members.

Sessions offer insights into economic forecasts and industry hot topics, as well as information and training on asset liability management, investment and risk-management skills, bond math and portfolio management. Along with the ability to earn up to 16 CPE credits, participants will have the opportunity to network with many industry experts and other financial professionals while gaining vital industry knowledge.

To register or for more information, visit www.almfirst/financialinstitute.

About ALM First
ALM First Financial Advisors, LLC is a leading, trusted strategic partner for financial advisory services. With approximately $18 billion of investments under management, ALM First is an SEC-registered investment advisor, acting as an unbiased third party, offering commission-free, fee-based services to more than 200 financial institutions across the country. Since 1995, financial institutions have relied on our industry expertise in formulating strategies to manage risk and enhance return to help them manage their balance sheets and investment portfolios. For more information, call (800) 752-4628, or visit www.almfirst.com.