NISM and Moody’s Analytics Launch Advanced Certification in Derivatives Strategies

MUMBAI, January 20, 2017 – National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) and Moody’s Analytics are pleased to announce the launch of the NISM-Moody's Certificate in Derivatives Market Strategies (CDMS), the first of a series of advanced certifications designed to elevate proficiency standards in India’s financial services industry. The certificate was introduced by U.K. Sinha, Chairman, SEBI, Chief Guest at the International Conference on Certification and Capacity Building in Financial Markets, held at NISM’s Patalganga campus near Mumbai January 20-21.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sinha said that NISM with its 21 certificates in the market space is globally the biggest player in this area. “The introduction of advanced professional certifications represents an important step in supporting the growth of India's securities markets,” he said. “A more robust level of proficiency helps build confidence in the system. We encourage broad participation from all market participants.”

The NISM-Moody’s CDMS is an internationally recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills required for a variety of roles that employ financial derivatives. With the NISM-Moody’s CDMS in hand, individuals will be recognized for their specialized knowledge and qualifications in the advanced concepts of both exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivative investments.

“The launch of this certification reinforces the commitment of Moody’s Analytics to developing sound proficiency standards, which support and promote efficiency and transparency in capital markets,” said Mark Almeida, President, Moody’s Analytics. “We greatly value our partnership with NISM and are committed to helping advance the growth and success of India's securities market.”

Sandip Ghose, Director, NISM, noted that the CDMS certification is only the first step towards a foundation of advanced proficiency in India’s capital markets. “Through our partnership with Moody’s Analytics, we are leveraging international best practices for our next generation of specialized certifications, starting with the CDMS. The CDMS goes above and beyond NISM’s foundational courses by providing a deeper level of expertise in derivatives. Professionals holding a CDMS will have mastered the intricacies of complex financial products and their application in risk management, product structuring and investment advice. “Successful completion of one of the three NISM Derivatives Certification Examinations (Currency Derivatives, Equity Derivatives, or Common Derivatives) is a prerequisite for enrolling in the CDMS course.

The certification was launched at the International Conference on Certification and Capacity Building in Financial Markets. The conference’s co-keynote speaker was Andrew J. Kriegler, President and CEO, Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). Mr. Kriegler discussed the importance of international collaboration in promoting market quality: “Our experience shows that embedding advanced proficiency standards builds confidence in our financial professionals and helps ensure that our capital markets operate efficiently and effectively and in the public interest. IIROC is pleased that NISM is looking at the content and expertise of programs that have been successfully deployed in Canada and other jurisdictions.”

The two-day conference focused on important aspects of certification and capacity building, including professional risk management skills required to navigate the complex financial landscape and advisory skills to build customer trust, with special emphasis on perspectives from developed and emerging markets. Click here to learn more about the conference.

About Moody’s Analytics

Moody’s Analytics helps capital markets and risk management professionals worldwide respond to an evolving marketplace with confidence. The company offers unique tools and best practices for measuring and managing risk through expertise and experience in credit analysis, economic research, and financial risk management. By providing leading-edge software, advisory services, and research, including the proprietary analysis of Moody’s Investors Service, Moody’s Analytics integrates and customizes its offerings to address specific business challenges. Moody's Analytics is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO), which reported revenue of $3.5 billion in 2015, employs approximately 10,900 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 36 countries. Further information is available at moodysanalytics.com.

About NISM

NISM is a leading provider of high end professional education, certifications, training and research in Indian Financial Markets. NISM engages in capacity building among stakeholders in the securities markets through professional education, financial literacy, enhancing governance standards and fostering policy research.

NISM is globally one of the largest financial market certifying institutions, issuing 22 certificates covering various critical market functions such as sales, advice, operations and compliance across financial market products such as equities, derivatives of equity, currency, interest rates and commodities, mutual funds and pensions.

More than 550,000 professionals have been certified by NISM. More than 150,000 market professionals take NISM certification examinations annually at more than 200 centres across India. NISM also provides continuing professional education training to more than 40,000 professionals a year across 100 locations.

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