The Finance Professionals' Post

NYSSA TV™: A Fireside Chat with William Thorndike and William Cohan

Authors William Thorndike and William Cohan share a “Fireside Chat” about the challenge for management to create value in a climate of rising shareholder activism and increased M&A activity.

NYSSA TV™: Executive Presence

How would you rate your executive presence? You may not think about how others perceive you, but each encounter can make a lasting impact on every individual you meet. 

Your presence is both visual and audible. Eye contact, a firm handshake, and a warm smile are important, but what about your conversation style? For some, their chosen style is overly assertive - which can be inferred as agression; or about being heard - which may be interpreted as interrupting others. Here, Expert Executive Coach Nina Fiddian-Green shares strategies that can help you build and develop executive presence to help you succeed in your career transition or development.

NYSSA Launches New Online Career Center

On August 1, 2014, the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) will launch an interactive job board, the NYSSA Career Center. With its focus on financial industry companies and professionals, the NYSSA Career Center offers members a highly targeted resource for online recruitment. 

Employers can use the NYSSA Job Center to reach qualified candidates. They can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create an online resume agent to email qualified candidates daily. They also benefit from online reporting providing job activity statistics to track each job posting's ROI.

For members seeking jobs, the NYSSA Job Center is a free service providing access to employers and jobs in the finance industry. In addition to posting their resumes, members can browse or view jobs based on the criteria they find matches their goals best. Job seekers can also post confidentially with confidence or search anonymously by creating a Job Agent.  Job Agents notify job seekers via email when jobs matching their criteria are posted, eliminating the need to visit their online accounts daily to track new postings. 

More information available at http://www.nyssa.org/CareerCenter.aspx.

Video: Bitcoin and Virtual Money

Over the past year bitcoin has gone from a dark web science project to mainstream sensation. But what exactly is a bitcoin, what is it good for, and what future does the online "currency" really have? In this short clip from NYSSA's recent conference, Managing Director of ConveryEx Group Nicholas J. Colas gives a breakdown on bitcoin, including why it isn't a fraud as some speculate.

Video: The Endless Summer Debate

In this year's NYSSA Market Forecast™ leading economists, investment strategists, and geopolitical experts discussed and debated financial market issues. In this brief clip, watch the panel of experts including Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC; Philip J. Orlando, CFA, Senior Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Macro/Balanced Team, Chief Equity Market Strategist, Federated Investors, Inc.; Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; and Vinny Catalano, President and Chief Investment Officer, Blue Marble Research; discuss price earnings multiples.

NYSSA Announces December 2013 CFA Scholarship Winners

The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the December 2013 CFA^® Exam Scholarship Program. NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York–area CFA candidates. Recipients are selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. Scholarship winners receive discounted registration fees and free NYSSA CFA weekly review.

DECEMBER 2013 CFA EXAM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Aleksandra Pacholek, a CFA Level I Candidate, has worked in the finance industry for approximately seven years. She began her career in emerging market project finance and structured finance as an intern at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Subsequently, she switched over to the equity side and spent a year in equity research at FBR Capital Markets. Most recently, she spent five years with Commerzbank, a large European bank, focusing primarily on the loan markets in various roles ranging from Credit to Relationship Management. Having spent her career as a product specialist, she recently joined one of her former portfolio companies, where she is director of corporate financial affairs at Genting Americas Inc, a top player in the global Gaming Leisure & Lodging industry. She is now very broadly focused, primarily on capital raising and bank/investor relations. “The depth and breadth of knowledge covered by the CFA is a necessary toolkit, which will enable me to succeed in my current position,” Pacholek said. She graduated with honors from the George Washington University with a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and Economics, and holds a master’s in International Economic and Investment Policy from George Washington University.

---

Peter Wirthumer studies International Political Economy and Development (IPED) at Fordham University as Fulbright Scholar from Austria. He received his first master’s degree with distinction in Mathematics with Applications in Economics from the Technical University of Vienna, Austria. He has outstanding international experiences, including having lived in France and Uzbekistan. Lately he worked as a Project Management Assistant for the top German financial consulting firm zeb/rolfes.schierenboeck.associates, implementing Basel III regulations for a major Austrian bank. This experience, paired with personal ambitions, motivated Peter to pursue the Charter in order to get a better understanding of financial markets, research and regulations. In the future, he wants to pursue either a career in Management Consulting or International Organizations. Peter joined NYSSA as he regards it as a highly good opportunity not only for networking, but also for personal and professional development.

---

Maris Krumins graduated with honors from the University of Latvia in Riga where he studied international business. During his studies, Krumins gained international experience by participating in exchange programs in France and the US. Maris started his professional career at Nordea Bank Finland Plc. Upon completion of the Bachelor's program he started to work for the Ministry of Economics where he was responsible for managing European Union Funds. During the summer of 2013, he interned with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Latvia to the United Nations. In 2012 Krumins was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and he started his Master’s degree in Economics & Finance at Fordham University. In 2013 he received the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation Scholarship to continue his studies at Fordham University. "I am determined to obtain [the] CFA designation as I believe it can improve my overall knowledge in finance, as well as provide a quality mark on my competencies and expose me to other finance industry professionals," Krumins said.

---

Kevin C. Oates is a Dealer Relationship Representative at Andrews Federal Credit Union in Wiesbaden, Germany. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business, summa cum laude, from the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University (2012), and is currently pursuing his Master's in Security Analysis and Portfolio Management with Creighton University. Kevin intends to successfully complete the Master’s in Security Analysis and Portfolio Management as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst charter in order to represent the New York Society of Security Analysts as well as CFA Institute in the international investment field. His long term goal is to become a portfolio manager of an equity mutual fund. He wants to achieve the CFA Charter in order to be equipped with the tools necessary to start a successful career in equity research, and furthermore to earn credibility while adhering to the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and professional excellence. 

---

NYSSA's First Annual Global Infrastructure Conference

Infrastructure is very much on the mind of the American and global investment community at large.  The International Finance Corporation’s Asset Management Company recently completed $1.2 billion in financing (exceeding a $1 billion target) with commitments from 11 investors, including sovereign wealth funds from Singapore and sovereign and pension fund investors from across the globe.  In a recent editorial for Bloomberg law, Jay Tannon, a partner at Patton Boggs LLP, suggested a national infrastructure authority in the US to oversee much-needed improvements across the country.  A recent statement by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that the Dallas Cowboy’s new football stadium uses more electricity than the total capacity of her country prompted detailed responses from sources as diverse as The Wall Street Journal and the Brookings Institution. 

Top Writing Tips from CFA Hartford, FPAMA, NYSSA, and PAICR

Participants in my four May writing workshops expressed their opinions on my most helpful tips. I share their favorites below, along with related links.

1. Use mind mapping to organize your thoughts before you write. You can create a mind map focused on the topic you’d like to tackle in your investment commentary, article, or other written piece. Put the topic in the middle of your page, then start mapping ideas. Once you have everything down on the page, it’s time for analysis. Don’t forget this key step!

Video: Personal Branding and Self-Assessment

If you don't think of job search as "marketing," you're wrong. When it comes to searching for your next career, you must think of yourself as a brand. Why would anyone purchase? What sets you apart from the next similar product? In this NYSSA Career Chat^™, Five O'Clock Club Career Coach Nancy Deering discusses the importance of personal branding. Here, you'll learn that "selling yourself" effectively can set you apart from a sea of other candidates.

The Courage Deficit: Why Regulators Must Act More Decisively in Equity Trading Markets

Public confidence in the integrity of equity trading markets appears to be at a once-in-a-generation low. The flash crash, the 45-minute path to near-insolvency at Knight Trading, and the large losses for investors in Facebook have not instilled confidence that the public can engage fairly in US equity markets.

NYSSA Announces December 2012 CFA Scholarship Winners

The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the December 2012 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York–area CFA candidates. Recipients are selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. Scholarship winners receive discounted registration fees and free NYSSA CFA weekly review.

Video: Regulatory Insights from Eliot Spitzer

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer recently joined NYSSA for an interview with Bloomberg Television anchor, Pimm Fox. Spitzer gave his observations and opinions about the top regulators of the current economic recovery effort—Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

On Ben Bernanke:

• Bernanke is "the last man standing." He is the only one who has been willing to make the hard economic decisions as policymakers have remained in gridlock.
• He has used monetary policy to the fullest extent, but now there is little more that he can do.

On Timothy Geithner:

• Geithner did not have an adequate understanding of the structural failures that existed in the financial services sector.
• After the financial crisis of 2008, Geithner did not request enough from the banks in return for being bailed out. He simply did not comprehend how much reform was actually needed.

---

NYSSA Announces 2012 Award Winners

For over 75 years, the New York Society of Security Analysts has been a pillar in the investment community. Since its founding in 1937 by the “father of securities analysis,” Benjamin Graham, NYSSA has provided an independent forum for the investment industry that promotes best practices and the highest professional ethical standards. NYSSA volunteers are the living embodiment of Benjamin Graham's goal of enriching and advancing the investment profession.

This year's awards will be presented to five exceptional NYSSA volunteers for their commitment to furthering the society's goals at the 75th Anniversary Dinner, June 26, 2012. The dinner will take place at the Museum of American Finance.

2012 NYSSA VOLUNTEER(s) OF THE YEAR

Janet Mangano, in her 30-year career in investment research and management, has held senior positions as director of research, equity analyst, and portfolio manager. She has worked at some of the industry’s most important firms, including Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney. Most recently, she served as senior investment advisor at PNC Wealth in Morristown, NJ, managing assets for affluent individuals and charitable trusts. She has been a member of NYSSA and CFA Institute since 1984. Mangano is co-chair of the Private Wealth Management Committee at NYSSA, and recently served as a professional mentor in the local CFA Institute Research Challenge and as a judge in the quarter- and semi-final Americas Regional competitions.

Louise A. Howard, CFA, CAIA, vice president—marketable securities, has been with the YMCA Retirement Fund since 2005. She is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, reviewing, and recommending the fund's external public equity and fixed income investment managers globally. Howard has more than 20 years of investment experience, including foreign exchange trading, fixed income portfolio management, and hedge fund-of-funds due diligence. Howard has been a volunteer with numerous organizations including NYSSA, company-sponsored mentoring programs, Literacy Volunteers, and New York Cares. 

---

2012 FURTHERING RESEARCH AWARD

William Hayes started his financial career in the investment department of New York Life Insurance. Later, he was director of pension fund investments at ITT Corp, and at Hughes Aircraft. In 1981, he joined Walter Frank & Co, a New York Stock Exchange specialist firm, becoming research partner. Hayes served two terms as president of the NYSSA (1995–97), and was the chair of the Career Development Committee for many years. Currently, he writes book reviews for NYSSA's Finance Professionals Post, and is in charge of NYSSA's Authors Series™ program.

---

---

2012 BENJAMIN GRAHAM DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Stella Alvo is CEO of Westfield Consulting LLC, an independent technology marketing firm. For more than 15 years she has worked in developing new digital products for multi-channel sales avenues. Alvo served as a board director at NYSSA; elected as its first outside director, she was nominated for her expertise in advanced digital product development. She is acknowledged for founding two NYSSA student programs: first, as founder and chair or vice chair for 15+ years of NYSSA’s SEMI Program; and second, as co-founder of NYSSA’s Investment Research Challenge (now the CFA Institute Research Challenge).

---

2012 IRVING KAHN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Walter Schloss grew up in Manhattan, attended the Franklin School and the New York Stock Exchange Institute, where he studied under Benjamin Graham. At the end of WWII, he was invited by Benjamin Graham to join the firm of Graham Newman as a securities analyst. In 1955, Schloss set up his own investment management partnership, Schloss Associates. Warren Buffett referred to Schloss as a "super investor." In his 2006 Letter to Shareholders, Buffett said, "Let me end this section by telling you about one of the good guys of Wall Street, my long-time friend Walter Schloss, who last year turned 90. From 1956 to 2002, Walter managed a remarkably successful investment partnership, which he did not take a dime from unless his investors made money. My admiration for Walter, it should be noted, is not based on hindsight. A full 50 years ago, Walter was my sole recommendation to a St. Louis family who wanted an honest and able investment manager."

Schloss has been profiled in numerous financial publications including Barron's, Forbes, and Fortune.

NYSSA Announces June 2012 Scholarship Winners

The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the June 2012 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York–area CFA candidates. Recipients are selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. Scholarship winners receive discounted registration fees and Schweser study materials, and free NYSSA CFA weekly review.

Next spring, applications for December 2012 will be accepted. Applicants do not have to be a member of NYSSA, but are encouraged to join. Visit the scholarship page for more details.

NYSSA Announces December 2011 CFA Scholarship Winners

NYSSA is pleased to announce the winners of the December 2011 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York–area CFA candidates. Recipients are selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. This period's candidates were very impressive, as noted by one Scholarship Committee member, "We were extremely pleased with the calibur of applicants." Scholarship winners receive Schweser study materials, free NYSSA CFA weekly review, and discounted registration fees.

Nathan Ronen for NYSSA CFA Prep

 “Excellent, valuable, amazing, unique, extremely helpful”—words that are not easily spoken when referencing the CFA exam. That is, unless you experience CFA exam prep Nathan Ronen–style.

The popular instructor and CFA charterholder will return to the New York Society of Security Analysts in January 2012 as CFA® Lead Instructor to teach CFA exam prep courses for Levels II and III of the June 2012 exam. Ronen’s track record is impressive. He has been teaching CFA Levels I, II and III for over 16 years and has helped over 20,000 candidates pass the CFA exams. Part of his success is attributed to his background. He understands the pressure that candidates face, having earned a CFA charter while working in finance. “I don’t believe in merely reciting the CFA curriculum back to students. That’s not teaching the material. Candidates who have had me for Level I or Level II know that my ability to hone in on essential points and take the most difficult concepts and break them down to a simpler form is what helps them pass on exam day,” says Ronen regarding his teaching style.

---

---

Of course, Ronen’s strong knowledge of the financial markets, from years of working in the financial sector, is another valuable resource in his teaching style. He served as a supervisory analyst training government regulators, an accounting analyst, and a corporate finance analyst. His professional experience encompasses well-known organizations such as New York Life, NASD, and Salomon Brothers.

In addition to teaching CFA exam preparatory courses for NYSSA, he has taught for the Washington Society of Security Analysts and the Study Seminar for Financial Analysts (SSFA). Ronen has also taught in-house CFA seminars at Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, and many other major financial institutions.

Click here for more information on NYSSA CFA Exam Prep Courses.

NYSSA Volunteer Receives Outstanding Asian American in Business Award

Lijie Zhu, vice chair of NYSSA’s Career Development Committee, was recognized as one of fifty Outstanding Asian Americans in Business in 2011 by the Asian American Business Development Center at a June 16 gala.

The award honors individuals with outstanding leadership, vision and accomplishments who have built a successful business or distinguished themselves in their community. NYSSA President and CEO Amy Geffen, PhD, said, “The Society is very proud of Lijie’s accomplishments and is honored to have her as a dedicated volunteer.” In 2010, Zhu was named a NYSSA Volunteer of the Year for her work on the Career Development Committee, especially its popular Friday Career Coffee series.

NYSSA Announces 2011 Award Winners

NYSSA volunteers are the living embodiment of Benjamin Graham’s goal of enriching and advancing the investment profession. This year we are introducing three new awards to mirror NYSSA’s growth: the Young Analyst Award to honor a new generation of analysts, the Furthering Research Award to promote excellence in research and education, and the Distinguished Service Award for those who have paved the way.

The awards will be presented at the Era of Excellence Reception fundraiser on June 7, 2011, at 230 Fifth, Manhattan's largest outdoor rooftop garden.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Irving Kahn has worked on Wall Street as a stock broker, security analyst, portfolio manager and investment advisor since 1929. After leaving the City College of New York, he served as the second teaching assistant to Benjamin Graham at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. Over the years, he did research for and provided assistance to Mr. Graham for his lectures, articles and books, including for Security Analysis, Storage and Stability, and World Commodities and World Currencies. Mr. Kahn was a founding member of the New York Society of Security Analysts in 1937 and the Financial Analyst Journal in 1945.

Call for Nominations for Annual NYSSA Awards

NYSSA is calling for nominations for its Volunteer of the Year Award and introducing three new awards—one for distinguished service, another for outstanding research, and an award for early career professionals.

Marc Chandler on the Currency Outlook

Marc Chandler, global head of currency strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman, shared a surprising perspective on the US dollar when he spoke with Dow Jones Newswire at NYSSA. Chandler was at NYSSA for the annual Market Forecast. To hear the full webcast of that event and others, visit the NYSSA On-Demand site. 

NYSSA Seeks Candidates for Board of Directors

On behalf of NYSSA’s Board of Directors, I am inviting members to submit names of potential candidates to serve on the Board of NYSSA. During the coming months the Board will be searching for people with the experience, wisdom, and diligence to serve on your board as it continues to invigorate and solidify its governance foundations. You can help by suggesting the names of individuals who are qualified and prepared to serve. Candidates do not need to be members of NYSSA, nor do they have to be directly involved in the investment decision making process (our by-laws allow for a number of non-member Directors). The ability of the Director to understand the needs of our Society’s present and future is as important as the candidate’s employment background.

NYSSA Announces June 2011 CFA Scholarship Winners

NYSSA is pleased to announce the winners of the June 2011 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. Recipients were selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. All scholarship winners receive a free weekly review course from NYSSA and a credit allowance for additional learning materials from Schweser. In addition, CFA Institute will refund the CFA examination and registration fees (less a $225 exam registration administrative fee). NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York area CFA candidates of all levels. 

Call for Submissions to NYSSA's E-Journal

NYSSA is delighted to announce the launching of a new online refereed journal to continue the tradition of the Investment Professional. Our first issue will launch September 2011.

We are particularly interested in articles on financial regulation and risk management and will accept articles on other topics as well. 

Victor Sperandeo to Teach His Proprietary Trading Techniques

Legendary trader and market wizard Victor Sperandeo, aka Trader Vic, will be at NYSSA on February 4th to teach a Master Class with NYSSA commodity instructor Michael Martin. Many of you know Martin's blog MartinKronicle.com, where he's interviewed several other market wizards such as Jim Rogers, Tony Saliba, Linda Raschke, and Sperandeo.

Interview with Amy Geffen, NYSSA's New President and CEO

On September 9, 2010, NYSSA announced the appointment of its new president and CEO, Amy Geffen, PhD. During her tenure at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dr. Geffen expanded the global reach of the organization and spearheaded the delivery of online learning. Before beginning her new role on October 4, Geffen sat down to answer a few questions. 

You’ve been with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for almost 10 years, which is a long tenure these days. (The average tenure for an American worker is 4.1 years.) What did you enjoy most about working for ASME?

Although ten years may seem a long time to be at one organization, in my ten years at ASME I held three different positions. The first was as Director of the Continuing Education Institute for four years. My greatest accomplishment there was to launch online courses that grew from zero to 100 in four years.

James Bullard Discusses the Future of the Fed on Squawk Box

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard apppeared on CNBC's Squawk Box, speaking from the Kansas City Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He discussed the outlook for the US economy and potential Fed strategies.

Bullard will speak live at NYSSA on November 8, 2010, for the High Profile Speaker Series: Monetary Policy and Inflation Outcomes in the United States.

NYSSA Announces December 2010 CFA Scholarship Winners

NYSSA is pleased to announce the winners of the December 2010 CFA Exam Scholarship Program. Recipients were selected based on experience and/or interest in the investment profession, ethical standards, and commitment to NYSSA and CFA Institute. All scholarship winners receive a free weekly review course from NYSSA and a credit allowance for additional learning materials from Schweser. In addition, CFA Institute will refund the CFA examination and registration fees (less a $225 exam registration administrative fee). NYSSA offers up to five scholarships in both the fall and spring to New York area CFA candidates of all levels. 

Committee Spotlight: Career Development Committee

The Career Development Committee (CDC) has been one of NYSSA’s most active committees over the last several years. The CDC focuses on helping NYSSA members actively manage their careers and achieve professional growth. The committee's programs are targeted toward helping members: (i) develop themselves professionally, (ii) understand and explore career opportunities in the evolving financial services industry, and (iii) advance their careers by marketing themselves more effectively to current and prospective employers.

Byron Wien: Man of Many Years

Byron Wien is having an especially good year. Not only has the long-time strategy guru received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Society of Security Analysts, Inc., he has also enjoyed a higher-than-normal batting average on his signature Ten Surprises.

Moreover, at age 75, he is fulfilling his three most important goals: he is alive, he is healthy, and he has friends. Boy, does he have friends. Called by some the Perle Mesta of Wall Street, Wien continues to collect people all over the world—people who give him ideas and feed him information, helping Wien develop the kind of insights that have long nourished his popular year-end forecasts.

Letter to NYSSA Members: May 6, 2010

Dear Members:

During the recent past, those of us in the financial services industry have faced unprecedented challenges and likewise for the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA). The Society has seen a decline in membership and enrollment in fee-based education. We are fortunate to have a strong balance sheet with the ability to use some of our cash reserves to help us weather the storm. This, combined with operational cost reductions will ensure our ability to consistently refine and improve our membership program offerings.

New Member Benefit: Invitation to Institutional Investor Journals

NYSSA has partnered with Institutional Investor Journals to offer its members a special 25% savings on subscriptions to any of its nine journals. Institutional Investor Journals offer in-depth, original, and practical research in investment management and finance. Written and edited by world-renowned practitioners and academics, the journals are extensively read and highly regarded in the industry.

An Update on Changes to Financial Statements

Michael Moran, of Goldman Sachs’s Global Markets Institute, kicked off January’s “Changes to 2009 Financial Statements” (an event sponsored by NYSSA’s Improved Corporate Reporting Committee), and he could not have given us a more timely presentation on accounting for transfers of financial assets if he had read an advance copy of the Valukas Report on Lehman Brothers. 

A Call for Volunteers

The New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) will be working with the Sanford I. Weill Institute in order help locate volunteers to teach high school students basic information about finance and business. The Sanford I. Weill Institute, sponsored largely by Citi Foundation, is embedded into the normal school day at the High School of Economics & Finance and runs on Wednesdays from 1:24 p.m. to 2:24 p.m., starting April 28th through June 9th. 

Committee Spotlight: Derivatives Committee

The Derivatives Committee provides a forum for investment professionals to learn more about the use and intricacies of derivatives. It offers content to both specialists in the derivatives markets and those professionals who are not currently involved but who wish to learn more. The Derivatives Committee seeks to educate and keep its membership informed on all aspects of derivatives and derivatives markets. As the use and importance of derivatives is increasing, the Committee is committed to educating and making derivatives markets more accessible to those with little or no direct experience.

New Member Benefit: Invitation to SumZero

NYSSA has partnered with SumZero, an invitation-only online networking site designed to link buy-side analysts. SumZero currently consists of more than 2,300 analysts/PMs and membership is by invitation-only. Almost every well-known hedge fund, private equity fund, and mutual fund is represented in the user base. 

Consulting Opportunities for NYSSA Members

Members of the NYSSA have the opportunity to join the GLG CouncilsSM, the world’s leading expert network, and to participate in paid consultations with Gerson Lehrman Group® (GLG) clients. This no-cost opportunity provides NYSSA members with the ability to earn consulting fees, work with savvy industry professionals, network with industry leaders, and consult at their own convenience. GLG Council MembersSM set their own consulting rates and are free to accept or decline any projects.

Why SEMI?: A Former SEMI Participant Discusses the Experience

Like most finance and investments undergraduate students in Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, I was preparing to land a job at one of the major financial firms. But virtually no one anticipated the global financial meltdown that began in the summer of 2007 and led to the demise of many of the world’s largest financial firms. This made an already competitive job market more competitive.

Federal Grant Money Available for CFA® and Professional Development Courses

If you are registered as an unemployed NYSSA member and were employed by one of the 31 companies below, you may qualify to have your tuition for a NYSSA professional development and/or CFA preparatory course paid by the National Emergency Grant (NEG) through the New York State Department of Labor. 

Best Practices in Hedge Fund Management

With so much uncertainty and a great deal at stake regarding the future of hedge funds and what constitutes “best practices” in management, NYSSA’s Alternative Investments and Institutional Asset Management Committees recently held an event to address such issues, bringing together representatives from every corner of the industry.

Committee Spotlight: Institutional Asset Management Committee

The Institutional Asset Management Committee provides a forum for discussion on current issues of interest to investment professionals engaged in or contributing to asset management. Our rapidly changing investment climate offers an abundance of topical issues worthy of C-level, portfolio manager, and analyst attention as both specialists and management in the asset management field, in addition to those professionals who are not currently involved but who wish to be.

Islamic Finance: A Student's Review of the New NYSSA Course

Michael McMillen’s recent course on Islamic Finance was more than just an introduction to this niche market of structured finance—it was a colorful exploration of Islamic history and culture, which included a memorable overview of the anatomy of camels. Despite the lack of industry news coverage in the U.S. as compared to Europe and Asia Pacific, I was amazed to learn that there have been hundreds of Islamic financings done in the U.S. In fact, as McMillen pointed out, the U.S. is the easiest place in the world to structure such transactions and while it is still a niche market, demand for these products continues to grow.

NYSSA Welcomes FTSE to Leadership Circle

NYSSA is proud to welcome FTSE into the Leadership Circle as a Silver Sponsor. 

FTSE is a world leader in the creation and management of indexes. With offices in Milan, Beijing, London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Madrid, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Shanghai and Tokyo, FTSE works with investors in 77 countries globally. It calculates and manages a comprehensive range of equity, fixed income, real estate and investment strategy indices, on both a standard and custom basis. The company has collaborative arrangements with a number of stock exchanges, trade bodies and asset class specialists around the world.

Letter from the President

As we begin NYSSA’s 2010 fiscal year, the staff and volunteers who bring all of our programs and events to life are continuing their work to provide you with the high caliber offerings you have come to expect from NYSSA. In fiscal year 2009, NYSSA hosted nearly 280 programs and events, 127 of which were member-only or free to members. Of these, an increasing number (41 in total) were career development programs designed to address the growing interest in this topic.

SEMI Program Celebrates with Reception Dinner

On Thursday, July 30, the SEMI Program held its year-ending reception dinner at the Westin New York at Times Square. Students, mentors, and past participants all took part in the festivities celebrating the end of another successful SEMI season.

At the event, NYSSA Student Committee Chair Virginia Donner announced the winning team of the SteepleChase Competition and thanked all students and mentors for coming.

NYSSA Annual Dinner

Over 250 members of the financial community attended NYSSA’s Annual Dinner on June 17, 2009 at The Westin New York at Times Square to hear featured speaker Leon Cooperman, CFA. The event also honored NYSSA’s Volunteers of the Year, SEMI student scholarship recipients, Investment Research Challenge winners and departing board members.

NYSSA Board Member Speaks with Beijing CFA Charterholders

Barry Sine, CFA, CMT, a member of NYSSA's Board of Directors, recently spoke to CFA charterholders in Beijing, and came away with some interesting insights into what is one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing capital markets in the world.

Fordham University Wins NYSSA Investment Research Challenge

A team of students from Fordham University edged out the competition from Rutgers Business School, Cornell University, and Stony Brook University to take top honors at the 8th Annual Investment Research Challenge. The students from Fordham—Thomas Messineo, Alex Ng, Jonathan Ball, and Ravi Misra—will now move on to the 4th Annual Global Investment Research Challenge in Hong Kong, where they will once again present their analysis of the subject company, Bitstream (NASDAQ: BITS). Messineo, the team captain, and Ball took some time out of their preparations to answer a few questions.

SEMI Participants Awarded Heloise S. Ham Scholarship

NYSSA awarded the Heloise S. Ham Scholarship to three deserving participants from the SEMI program: Patrick Dluzniewski, Baruch College; Sameed Musvee, Columbia University; and Joseph Tinti, Fordham University.

NYSSA Seeks Candidates for Board of Directors

On behalf of NYSSA’s Board of Directors, I am inviting members to submit names of potential candidates to serve on the Board of NYSSA. During the coming months the Board will be searching for people with the experience, wisdom, and diligence to serve on your board as it continues to invigorate and solidify its governance foundations. You can help by suggesting the names of individuals who are qualified and prepared to serve. Candidates do not need to be members of NYSSA, nor do they have to be directly involved in the investment decision making process (our by-laws allow for a number of non-member Directors). The ability of the Director to understand the needs of our Society’s present and future is as important as the candidate’s employment background. All candidates will be considered for this year’s nominations and will also comprise an active database for consideration next year and in the future. We would also welcome any personal comments that would aid the Committee in considering the recommended candidates. I greatly appreciate your time in giving this some thought and ask you to send your recommendations to [email protected] on or before February 28, 2010. 

Sincerely, 

Nanci D. Morris, CFA President, NYSSA