Core, Stream Core and Capstone Courses

This course offers a thorough introduction to wealth management, combining theoretical foundations with a practitioner-focused approach. The curriculum delves into the wealth management process, covering topics such as investment policy statements, asset allocation, portfolio management, risk management, selecting investment managers, client goals and constraints, client relationship management, family business, and behavioral finance. Additionally, the course provides an overview of the wealth management industry in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

This course aims to provide candidates with understanding of (i) fundamental knowledge for asset valuation, (ii) portfolio management techniques for risk management and speculation. (iii) investment strategies adopted in financial market, and (iv) the recent development of portfolio management tools and investment strategies. On the theoretical side, this course introduces fundamental knowledge for asset pricing, investment strategies, and portfolio management. On the practical side, this course covers recent topics that are related to the investment strategies and portfolio management in both Hong Kong and United States. Some projects about portfolio management and asset valuation are specially designed to let candidates apply the theoretical knowledge into practice. This course is highly recommended for candidates who intend to pursue a career or further studies in investment strategies and portfolio management. Of course, the knowledge will also be very useful when candidates make their own personal investment decision. 

Note: This course is not open to candidates who have taken or are taking MFIN7002.

This course provides an introduction to corporate and entrepreneurial finance, aiming to equip students with the essential concepts and tools for making informed financial decisions based on modern financial theory. The curriculum covers topics such as discounted cash flow techniques, corporate capital budgeting, valuation, and capital asset pricing. While corporate finance concentrates on the financial management of existing businesses, entrepreneurial finance focuses on value creation and resource allocation in new ventures. The course explores various stages of a venture's life cycle, from startup to exit, and delves into aspects such as deal structures, and initial public offerings. This comprehensive approach ensures students gain a solid understanding of financial decision-making in both established and emerging enterprises.

This course offers a framework for understanding the current state of the economy, macroeconomic policy, and their impact on asset markets. The curriculum covers topics such as the determinants of economic growth, employment, interest rates, monetary policy, inflation, market liquidity, exchange rates, capital flows and geopolitics. Gaining insights into global macroeconomic dynamics is essential for asset and wealth managers. The course also examines the performance of various asset markets across business cycles and during financial crises, providing crucial knowledge for strategic asset allocation.

This course covers financial regulations and compliance relevant to intermediaries (company and individuals) licensed or registered with the Securities and Futures Commission to engage in regulated activities. Embedded in regulations and compliance are ethics, professional standards and applicable laws. Topics include, but not limited to, ethics, professional standards, and code of conducts and best practices, know your clients, sales and suitability, investor protection, anti-money laundering, timely and accurate communications, independence and objectivity, fair dealing, compliance issues and compliance handling, relevant local rules and regulations, and international best practices for investment professionals. Selected cases will be used for discussion in class.

This course covers the essentials of the art of communication and persuasion, specifically tailored for the realm of wealth management. It aims to equip students with efficient, client-focused client-centric communication skills and bolster their confidence in delivering presentations. The topics includes persuasive speaking, structuring, and delivering speeches, communicating complex information effectively, building trust and credibility, speaking under pressure, crisis communication, as well as impromptu and prepared speeches. The course emphasizes the specific communication challenges encountered by wealth managers when conveying their ideas, strategies, and advice to clients.

The course offers knowledge of client relationship management and develops communication skills to establish and maintain strong relationships with clients. The curriculum covers topics such as prospecting, initial engagement skills, and relationship management and maintenance strategies, service recovery, client education, ethics considerations, etc. The course analyzes real-life cases and engaging in practical exercises to apply client relationship management principles and techniques in wealth management scenarios.

This course introduces wealth planning, a crucial aspect of managing, preserving, and transferring an individual's wealth. Wealth planning is an extension of wealth manager’s service to clients beyond investment. Wealth planning encompasses a range of services, including lifetime cash flow planning, tax planning, risk management, retirement planning, and succession and estate planning. The course explores various wealth planning solutions, such as trusts, insurance, and foundations. Furthermore, it covers the intricacies of family businesses, addressing their unique nature, challenges, and the role of family offices in their management.

This course discusses financial instruments and strategies in wealth management. The course examines major asset classes such as fixed income, equities, alternative investments, derivatives and structured products, commodities, FX, digital assets, ESG, and non-performing assets. The analysis emphasizes the understanding of various assets' risk-return profiles, hedging properties, liquidity, tax implications, and other relevant factors. It explores the multi-asset investment process, including strategic asset allocation, portfolio implementation, and performance attribution.

In this course, students are expected to apply the core investment, valuation and portfolio theories, analytical/advisory tools and asset management knowledge, including risk management and regulatory compliance, into analyzing asset and private wealth management business cases. The classroom lectures will use various case studies to illustrate the different areas of issues identified as well as capturing the most contemporary trends of the wealth management industry. Students are expected to challenge the dynamics of the cases and form an analytical framework in approaching the issues. The classroom lectures aim to provide insights to the students and guide them through their thinking and analytical ability in tackling the project assignments. As this is a Capstone course focusing on application of essential knowledge of technical and business skills, students are expected to do research/analysis on assigned/selected topic, individually for the mid- term project and in groups for the final-term project. The project(s) will be based on a case, students are expected to come up with recommended investment strategies with strategic asset allocation and tactical strategies in light of client’s investment objectives, client’s profile, suitability requirements, global investment outlook and risks dynamics. Furthermore, various business aspects (such as product development, sales, distribution, marketing and operations) should also be taken into account.