To provide those participating with a good technical understanding of financial markets, and to help explain the complexities of the City.

By the end of the two days, participants will have

• come to understand the impact of the City on national and on individual life
• seen for themselves some of London’s most important and active financial marketplaces, and been introduced to the City’s other principal financial markets and their activities
• gained a fuller understanding of the various types of instruments that are traded on those markets, and will have learned something about the tasks of those who trade in these markets
• been given an insight into the inter-relations between the various markets, and the reasons behind London’s success as an international financial centre
• developed a closer awareness of the dependence that the financial city places on the infrastructure provided by the Corporation of London

• To explain to those participating the intricacies of the financial City
• To demystify those attending about the roles and jobs of workers in the City’s financial markets
• To promote better understanding of the importance of an efficient City to the nation
• To enable greater comprehension of the linkage between the financial City and economics, current affairs and politics
• To draw attention to the clustering of certain professions and businesses in particular areas of the City
   

COURSE PROGRAMME

• Explanation of what the City comprises - size, residents, political and local government, cultural aspects.   
  Some history, and a possible visit to City Marketing Suite model
• Examination of locations and activities of principal institutions using individual maps
• Regulatory system, supervision and investor protection
• Explanation of different types of market structures (exchange-traded, OTC, quote-driven and order-driven etc)
• Video ‘Bank of England’ to explain evolving role of central bank and the link between City and Government
• Discussion on the role of banks, different functions and types of bank, securities houses and investment banks
  
  Lunch - during which a walk around the City may be conducted
   
• Money markets: Treasury bills, interbank, CD's, eligible bills and repo
• Foreign Exchange ( video: ‘Billion Dollar Day’)
• NBFIs - building societies, friendly societies
• Assurance and insurance companies
• Fund management, asset management and unit trusts, hedge funds
• Debt capital markets: government and corporate bonds, public and private, domestic and euro; warrants and convertible issues

• LIFFE - video and explanation of functions, and other derivative markets
• Commodities markets, possible visit to LME, Baltic Exchange and Lloyds Register of Shipping
• Insurance brokers, underwriters and Lloyd's of London (including visit)
• Equities markets: London Stock Exchange, AIM, Tradepoint and EASDAQ. OFEX, Instinet, CREST and corporate actions will be discussed
• Discussion of bullion market and London Metal Exchange including reference to soft commodities (visit arranged)
• The future: London's continuing role in Europe; the Euro, supervision, regulation and controls
• Conclusion and completion of evaluation forms