Investments & Wealth Institute Collaborates with The Options Industry Council on New, Online Fundamentals of Exchange-listed Options Course
DENVER (PRWEB) December 20, 2017 -- The Investments & Wealth Institute™ (formerly IMCA) and Options Industry Council (OIC), an industry resource funded by OCC and the U.S. options exchanges, have collaborated to develop Fundamentals of Exchange-listed Options, a new, online course offered by the Institute, to increase advisor knowledge and confidence in using options.
“The course is designed to provide advisors with essential, foundational options knowledge and skills, as well as practical strategies that can be put to work immediately,” said Devin Ekberg, CPWA®, CFA, managing director of education, Investments & Wealth Institute. “Using easy-to-understand examples and demonstrations of decision-making processes, the program goes beyond just theory and mathematics. It prepares an advisor to potentially enhance income, manage risk, and gain unique market exposure.”
Results of the quantitative study, How Financial Advisors Use and Think about Exchange-Listed Options, commissioned by the OIC, showed that many advisors, whether they use options or not, have low confidence levels about using options. “This new, on-demand course was developed to help advisors overcome confidence hurdles when using options. Combining our expertise with that of the Institute, we’ve created a course that can help financial professionals learn practical knowledge that they can incorporate into their practice, which can adding significant value for their clients,” added Eric Cott, director of financial advisor education, OIC. “Through the course’s six comprehensive modules, advisors can increase their knowledge gradually by starting with fundamental options strategies, such as using simple calls and puts, to rounding out their portfolio expertise with more complex concepts like using spreads and other combinations.”
Course modules cover the following topics:
• Strategic role of options in building investment portfolios
• Roles of buyers and seller in the options process
• Positions and exposure, including synthetic option positions
• Volatility strategies
• Appropriateness of strategies for different investor and economic scenarios
• Hedging portfolio strategies
Course registration is currently open. Eight hours of continuing education credit is available for professionals holding the Certified Investment Management Analyst® or Certified Private Wealth Advisor® certifications, Retirement Management Advisor(SM) designation, and/or Certified Financial Planner™ certification.
According to the OIC-commissioned research, financial advisors who use options strategies have larger, more successful practices. The research found that 85 percent of advisors with assets under management (AUM) of more than $100 million use options in their clients’ portfolios. In comparison, only 38 percent of advisors with AUM under $100 million do the same.
The new Fundamentals of Exchange-listed Options course is an essential tool for advisors to add value, differentiate their businesses, and help their clients pursue their financial goals with confidence.
For more information, please contact Greta Gloven, ggloven(at)i-w(dot)org or +1 303-850-3079.
About the Investments & Wealth Institute
Established in 1985, the Investments & Wealth Institute, formerly known as IMCA, is a professional association, advanced education provider, and standards body for financial advisors, investment consultants, and wealth managers who embrace excellence and ethics. Through its publications, events, assessment-based certificate programs, and advanced certifications, the Institute delivers premier-quality, practical education to advanced practitioners in more than 38 countries.
The Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification is the peak international, technical portfolio construction program for investment consultants, analysts, financial advisors and wealth management professionals. The CIMA program is distinctive as one of only a few global certifications in financial services to meet international accreditation and quality standards (ANSI/ISO 17024) for personnel certification programs. The Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certification is an advanced professional certification for advisors who serve high-net-worth clients. It’s designed for seasoned professionals who seek the latest, most advanced knowledge and techniques to address the sophisticated needs of clients with a minimum net worth of $5 million. Unlike credentials that focus specifically on investing or financial planning, the CPWA program takes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
The Investments & Wealth Institute(TM), IMCA®, Investment Management Consultants Association®, CIMA®, Certified Investment Management Analyst®, CIMC®, Certified Investment Management ConsultantSM, CPWA®, Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, RMA(SM), and Retirement Management Advisor(SM) are trademarks of Investment Management Consultants Association Inc. doing business as the Investments & Wealth Institute. The Investments & Wealth Institute does not discriminate in educational opportunities or any other characteristic protected by law
Greta Gloven, Investment Management Consultants Association, +1 (303) 850-3079, [email protected]
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