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The ICMA Primary Market Certificate (PMC) is an essential qualification for those with an interest or involvement in the debt primary markets. 
The course examines the entire life cycle of bond issuance, from considering the financing choices through to the closing of transactions in the marketplace. While the training examines the theoretical principles underpinning the markets and the instruments and financing techniques that are available, emphasis is placed on interpreting and using that knowledge in practical case studies. Candidates who gain this qualification will have all the requisite tools to add value to their company’s activities in the primary markets.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this course you will be able to:
- Understand what is involved with syndication and origination
- Review pricing decisions and launch requirements
- Assess current liability management techniques, their applicability and outcomes
- Explore events of default, debt ranking and covenants
The course places emphasis on current market practice and this is reflected in the delivery, by a combination of ICMA trainers and key market professionals including senior representatives from renowned organisations within the Debt Capital Markets.
Who should attend?
Assessment 
The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions of which candidates must answer a minimum of 30 questions, or 60%, correctly in order to pass. You will have six months in which to study the material, book and complete an online, fully invigilated exam. 
We use a third-party exam invigilation service called ProctorU to administer the exams on our assessed courses. We recommend you take a few minutes to watch this video before you take your exam, which provides information on what to expect on the day. You can also take a look at some further information here.
More information regarding your specific exam will be available in the Exam Orientation page on Moodle, the ICMA training platform.
Certification and Programme Recognition
ICMA is an FCA-approved qualifications provider, approved by the Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong as provider of Continuous Professional Training (CPT) and a member of the CPD® Certification Service.
This course is certified by ICMA and the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School, University of Reading and accredited by CPD® Certification Service.
ICMA recommends that 50 learning hours can be associated with this course, based on attended/undertaken hours of study required to successfully complete the learning outcomes.
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to those who successfully pass the final exam of this course – see Assessment section for more details.
Please note that your course certificate of attendance or completion should be sufficient to satisfy any professional development requirements – if you require further evidence, please contact us at education@icmagroup.org. 
Course Trainer
This course has been accredited by the CPD® Certification Service and approved by the Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong for Continuous Professional Training (CPT).
ICMA recommends that 24 learning hours can be associated with this course, based on attended/undertaken hours of study required to successfully complete the learning outcomes.
Please note that your course certificate of attendance or completion should be sufficient to satisfy any professional development requirements – if you require further evidence, please contact us at education@icmagroup.org
The PMC syllabus is organised around key areas, broken down into subtopics delivered by the course director and guest speakers. The programme concludes with the PMC exam: 
- Sources of Finance
 Financing choices
 Cost of equity and debt
 Weighted Average Cost Of Capital
 Financial leverage
 Purpose of funding
 Market conditions
- Use of Proceeds / Borrowers    
 Borrower requirements
 Loans v. bonds
 Corporates – IG / High Yield
 SSAs – Sovereigns / Supranationals / Agencies
 FIs - Capital adequacy / Basel 3
 Minimum capital and buffers Leverage Ratio / LCR & NSFR
 Common equity Tier 1 / Additional Tier 1 / Tier 2
- Credit Overview    
 Credit Ratings Overview
 Basic Corporate Credit Analysis
 Credit rating process
 Credit Rating Agencies various approaches
 Calibrating the business profile
 Assessing the financial risk profile
 CRA Regulation
-  Investment Grade Markets
 Introduction to the IG market
 Funding Programmes
 Sovereign case studies
- High Yield / Sub-IG
 Introduction to HY / non-IG, understanding the difference
 Review of Covenants
- Bond Types
 Domestic, Foreign & Eurobond
 Development of the cross-border market
 International bonds
 Public or private
 Floating Rate Notes / Fixed Rate
 Medium Term Notes
- Investor Protection
 Events of Default
 Debt Ranking
 Hybrid Capital / Debt / Equity Continuum
 Covenants
 Force Majeure
 Tax Gross Up / Redemption
- Selling Restrictions & US Regs
 Selling restrictions
 Regulation S
 Rule 144A
 10b 5 Due Diligence
 TEFRA C & D
 FATCA
-  Legal & Documentation
 Overview of New Issue timetable
 Underwriting risk - reps & warranties, DD, Legal opinions, Comfort letters, Conditions precedent, Force Majeure
 Product Governance (MiFIDII/IR)
 Obligations for Manufacturers & Distributers
 ICMA 1 & ICMA 2
 The Due Diligence process
 EEA Prospectus Regulation/Directive
 The passport
 Disclosure & listing - Who discloses and what? / Relevant facts? / Why list?
 Investment risk - Events of default / Cross default / Tax gross up & call / Negative pledge / Event risk covenant
- Securitisation
 Definitions
 The Collateral Pool
 Role of Seller, Servicer and SPV
 Capital Structure
 CDOs
 Why Securitise?
 MBS
 Credit Cards & other types of asset-backed
 Securitisation since the crisis
 EU Regulation of asset-backed
 ECB Loan Level Initiative
 Capital Markets Union (CMU) and the STS initiative
 STS Requirements
 Homogenous
 Historical performance data
 Risk retention
- Covered Bonds
 Definitions / Key features
 Types of covered bonds
 Covered bond ratings
 Legal Frameworks
 EU Covered Bond Directive / Developing a harmonised EU framework
 Regulatory treatment
 Recent structural developments
- Hybrid Capital
 Uses and benefits
 Regulatory developments
 More Capital of higher quality
 SREP
 Components of capital structure
 PONV
 MREL
 AT1 and T2 under Basel 3
 BRRD and the ‘Bail in’ regime
- Liability Management
 Rationale
 Bond buybacks
 Tender offers
 Exchanges
 Consent solicitations
 Regulatory considerations
- Deal Process
 Pre-Mandate
 Pre-Marketing
 Marketing
 Bookbuilding
 Pricing
 Swaps
 Post-Pricing
- Documentation & Closing
 Confirmation to Managers
 Subscription Agreement
 Selling Group Agreement
 Trustee / Fiscal agent
 Listing
 Signing
- Clearing & Settlement
 Introduction to CSDs and ICSDs
 Range of securities and currencies
 Functions of the ICSDs
 New Issues Acceptance
 ISINs
 New Issues Distribution / Syndicated / Non-Syndicated
 Role of the Common Depository
 Eurosystem Collateral Eligibility
- Residual Regulation
Livestreamed Course
Our livestreamed courses are delivered via video conferencing accessed on our digital learning platform, using the most effective pedagogical approaches and incorporating interactive functions like virtual breakout rooms.
The PMC livestreamed sessions are delivered in 10 webinars spread over the course of four weeks. You will be given access to the course materials a week before the live sessions begin, and you will have access to those for a total of six months. During these six months you will have the option to keep working through the course materials at your own pace. Please note to ensure you book and take the exam within these six months.
Livestreamed course fees
ICMA Members: EUR 3,950 (VAT not applicable)
Non Members: EUR 4,950  (VAT not applicable)
Classroom Course
The PMC classroom sessions will be delivered in London over 5 full days of training. This course is fully catered, including a light breakfast, cold lunch plus hot/cold drinks and refreshments during breaks. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know when you complete the registration form.
Delegates will be given access to our learning management system and the course materials before the live sessions, and will have access to those for a total of six months. During these six months you will have the option to keep working through the course materials at your own pace. Please note to ensure you book and take the exam within these six months.
Location Address
ETC Venues Monument
8 Eastcheap
London EC3M 1AE.
Classroom course fees*
ICMA Members: EUR 4,850 + VAT (if applicable)
Non Members: EUR 6,200 + VAT (if applicable)
*Our prices do not include travel/accommodation. Please do not book any logistics until you receive email confirmation that the course will go ahead. This will be provided 4 weeks in advance of the start date.
For security reasons, delegates who have not registered in advance will not be admitted to the sessions.
- All payments must be made in Euro.
Contact
Should you have any queries, please contact education@icmagroup.org.
 
 
 
                
 





