Financial Risk Management - I (FRM)

Target group

This training has been developed for risk managers, business analysts, accountants, central bank auditors, internal auditors and treasury consultants.

Goal and structure

For professionals working in risk management who need to be GARP-certified, the UvA Academy for Banking and Insurance (UvA ABV) offers this exam training. UvA ABV is a collaboration between NIBE-SVV and UvA and works together with the best teachers in this field, namely Tony Illis and Coen Streefland. The training prepares you for the high level of risk management used in the banking business. The training consists of 7 topics with a mock exam. During this training you will gain knowledge of the fundamental risks for banking institutions, government regulators, investment funds, consulting firms and financial services institutions around the world in their day-to-day operations. This interesting exam training is taught by highly experienced and professionally active lecturers. The lessons are practically oriented, highly accessible and provide excellent preparation for the final modular assignment.

Preliminary training

A level of higher professional education (HBO) is required.

Course materials

To prepare for the exam, GARP offers an online learning environment and books. You register for the GARP exam yourself, www.garp.org. You can order the study material from GARP. Please allow a delivery time of approximately 6 weeks for the book. Please note the GARP conditions: You have 9 months after your paid registration with GARP to complete the Financial Risk and Regulation program and participate in the exam. We recommend that you register with GARP only after you have received confirmation with the definitive start date of your training.

Study programme

The training addresses the following topics:

Banking and financial markets

• Business model of banks
• Risk versus return
• Financial markets

The management of basic risk types

• Liquidity, solvency, leverage
• Other sources of risk
• The risk management process

Quantitative analysis I

• Likelihood and probability
• Distributions
• Hypothesis testing

Quantitative analysis II

• Linear regression with single and multiple regressors
• Simulation
• Monte Carlo Methods

Derivatives modelling

• Mechanics of OTC and exchange markets
• Derivatives on fixed income securities, interest rates, foreign exchange, and equities
• Commodity derivatives

Expected and unexpected losses

• Modeling credit risk
• Rating methodology
• Basel III applied to credit risk

Value-at-Risk (VaR)

• The bank trading portfolio
• Factors determining market volatility
• Liquidity

Exam

The examination is held each May and November by GARP. Additional information about the exams and registration forms can be found on the website of GARP: www.garp.org. You pay the costs for this exam directly to GARP.

You are permitted to register for both the FRM® Exam Level I and Level II on the same day. Level I will be offered in the morning and Level II in the afternoon. You must pass the FRM Exam Level I in order to register for FRM Exam Level II.