(formerly known as the General Certificate Programme - GCP)

Course Overview

Established for over 30 years as THE qualification for the fixed income market, the IFID training programme puts emphasis on developing practical skills for trading, investment and risk management. This is a demanding, examined course aimed at developing a broad and in-depth knowledge of the key fixed income instruments, derivatives and markets .

The syllabus contains five topic sections:
• Fixed income analysis
• Rates trading and hedging
• Structured securities
• Credit analysis and products
• Portfolio & risk management.

As a second-level qualification, the IFID certificate syllabus requires that the candidates should already have some familiarity with the below listed topics (note that Background Reading is provided on the below topics for those who wish some reading on any of the topics).

• Fundamental Numerical Skills
• Overview of Financial Markets and Participants
• The Main Fixed Income Securities

Click here to download the detailed IFID brochure

Click here to download the detailed IFID syllabus

IFID syllabus

IFID Update and Programme Recognition

The IFID was completely updated as of 1 May 2009 and represents current and authoritative content for its topics.

The IFID programme is a “Recommended Exam” on the FSSC (Financial Service Skills Council, United Kingdom) Wholesale Banking list for people working and advising in Securities and Derivatives, and it has also met the FSSC’s Key 2 “Appropriate Exam” standards for activities: ‘Advising on Derivatives’ and ‘Advising on Securities’.

IFID candidates also qualify for 30 credit hours under the 
guidelines of the CFA Institute Continuing Education Programme.


Existing CFA Charterholders, Members and candidates also qualify for ICMA member discount.  CFA Members and candidates who would like to take advantage of this reduced rate are required to email their CFA Charterholder, candidate or membership number to j.evans@icmacentre.ac.uk directly after registering.

The IFID is an accredited course under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (formerly The Law Society’s) CPD Scheme. Solicitors may claim 30 hours CPD credit for their attendance on the full course residential programme.

Target Audience

The training programme is primarily intended for client or market facing positions in fixed income within a bank or fund management company, although it is becoming increasingly popular with middle office and operations managers who require greater product and market knowledge.

The training course is open to ICMA Members and non-members.

Course format

Offered in two formats:

• in a 1-week on-site Residential course twice a year, in April and October
• in a Distance Learning format

Both formats entitle registered candidates to access the IFID course hosted on a Wiley Plus platform. Couriered packages are sent to all candidates allowing access to our On-line Campus for course preparation.  In addition, the new delivery platform also provides candidates with a fully bound, soft cover book of the entire IFID content to augment the On-line Campus. 

Candidates will be awarded the ICMA IFID Certificate upon successful completion of the IFID examination, which is jointly granted by ICMA and the University of Reading. 

Benefits

The IFID is a proven, internationally recognised, standard of competence that can be embedded into employers’ appraisal requirements to ensure that staff are fully up-to-date with technical developments in the fixed income markets.

The availability of the training course is in two versions – residential and by distance learning – offers the utmost flexibility.

Click here to learn more about the IFID residential program.

Click here to learn more about the IFID Distance Learning Program.

IFID certificate holders

The names of the successful candidates from previous examinations are included in our list of certificate holders.
 

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"Very happy with the IFID content that provided a global overview of the fixed income markets and I learnt a lot from the interesting variety of speakers"
Thomas Rochez, Exotic Rates Trading, Fortis Bank
 

"Very helpful for my own personal development, covering all major products in a dealing room environment.  Also provides good networking opportunities to meet other people from the industry"
Simon Vermeer, Global Financial Markets – Sales Advisor, Rabobank International

"Having participated in different types of executive education ,it’s fair to say that IFID is by far the best value-cost you can get these days, an absolute must in the Fixed Income business"
José Félix Magaña, Treasurer, Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)

“Apart from the joy of meeting many of my likes, the IFID course gave the opportunity to strengthen and broaden my knowledge within my everyday playing field”
Linus Asu, Dealer, Danske Markets

"The IFID course was a review to all of my daily business - from bond and money market instruments to understanding how to use them effectively. I can easily see this worth the money".
Jarkko Ruokonen, Markets Dealer, Pohjola Bank plc
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