Covenants 101: Webinar replay available on-demand

The webinar Covenants 101: Decoding Bond and Loan Covenants is now available to watch on-demand here.

The webinar, led by Covenant Review’s Head of High Yield Research, Scott Josefsberg, and Senior Loan Covenant Analyst, Ian Feng, provided an overview of bond and loan covenants, with a focus on practical understanding and analysis, and differences between the asset classes.

Global Credit Certificate Achieves Prestigious IBF Accreditation in Singapore

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals is pleased to announce that the Global Credit Certificate (GCC) has been officially accredited by the Institute of Banking & Finance (IBF) in Singapore. This prestigious IBF accreditation underscores the GCC’s alignment with the highest industry standards and in-demand skills, further establishing it as a premier qualification for financial professionals across the region.

 

The IBF accreditation is an industry-endorsed mark of quality, recognizing training programs that meet the rigorous demands of the financial sector. With this milestone, the Global Credit Certificate becomes an excellent choice for professionals in Singapore aspiring to enhance their careers through a recognized certification tailored to industry needs.

 

The Global Credit Certificate, delivered by Fitch Learning’s expert instructors, equips candidates with advanced skills in credit analysis, industry best practices, and practical techniques. With the added benefit of IBF certification, individuals completing the GCC will be well-positioned to undertake new roles or advance into specialist or supervisory functions within the financial sector.

 

Self-sponsored and company sponsored individuals in Singapore can now apply for funding through the IBF’s Standard Training Scheme to complete the Global Credit Certificate. The funding subsidy is 70% or 50% of the program cost, depending on the individual’s eligibility.

 

Andreas Karaiskos, Executive Director at the Global Institute of Credit Professionals, commented:
“Achieving IBF accreditation demonstrates the Global Credit Certificate’s alignment with the highest standards of professional training, and delivery of sector specific skills and competencies for the finance industry. For Singapore-based professionals, this reinforces the GCC as a trusted program to advance their knowledge, achieve IBF certification, and stand out as leaders in credit and risk management.”

 

Get started with the Global Credit Certificate

Discover how the Global Credit Certificate, now IBF-accredited, can transform your career. Learn more about the GCC or contact our APAC team at institute@gicp.org to explore your next steps toward certification and advancement in the financial industry.

New Partnership Brings Global Credit Certificate to Fitch Ratings

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals have partnered with the Fitch Credit Academy to offer the Global Credit Certificate to new and incoming analysts at Fitch Ratings.

The Fitch Credit Academy defines standardized learning paths for Fitch’s analytical staff at different stages of their career. The aim of the Academy is to meaningfully develop the analytical staff to be the best in the market through focused training and on the job learning.

As part of the partnership, new analysts who are assigned to Fitch’s Foundational Analyst Credit Training (FACT) program and incoming associate analysts will be enrolled on the Global Credit Certificate as part of their respective programs.

The GCC will provide the analysts with a credit-focused certification that will benefit their current and future roles.

Global Institute of Credit Professionals celebrates milestone of 2,000 members

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals (GICP) is thrilled to announce that it has officially reached 2,000 members, making it the largest membership organization for credit professionals.

The GICP was established in the absence of a unified professional body to recognize the credit profession and has been welcoming members since May 2023. This membership milestone underscores the demand and support for such an organization.

As well as a reflection of the trust and value that credit professionals place on being part of this dynamic community, reaching the 2,000-member mark is also a testament to the Institute’s growing influence and a stepping stone towards our vision of setting the standard in credit education and professional development.

The GICP offers a structured platform for professionalization, enhancing individual careers, building a unified community and collectively raising the standards of the industry. More information about the Institute, including how to sign up to free membership is available here.

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals publishes landmark guide to careers in credit

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals has published its first edition of ‘A Guide to Careers in Credit’

Developed in association with financial markets recruitment specialists RCQ Associates, the guide is a comprehensive resource for both emerging and established credit professionals looking to elevate their career.

The handy guide aims to empower professionals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their careers and to foster the development of a skilled, forward-thinking workforce in the credit sector.

Inside the guide

The credit industry offers a broad spectrum of career opportunities. ‘A Guide to Careers in Credit’ includes:

  • Industry overview: Insight into the structure and changes in the global credit markets; and the evolution of the recent hiring trends.
  • Key roles and salaries: An overview of the various positions within the credit industry; accompanied by up-to-date salary benchmarks in key markets.
  • Skills for today and tomorrow: The guide details the competencies currently in demand and anticipates future skill sets that will be critical for professional success.

For GICP members

The guide is available exclusively for members of the Global Institute of Credit Professionals. However, individuals can sign up to membership for free to quickly access the guide.

Download ‘A Guide to Careers in Credit’ here.

Global Institute of Credit Professionals Surpasses 4000 Followers on LinkedIn in Just Over a Year

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals (GICP) is thrilled to announce that we have achieved a significant milestone – garnering over 4000 followers on LinkedIn since our launch just 15 months ago.

This achievement underscores the GICP’s commitment to creating a robust community of credit professionals and the Institute’s standing in the credit industry. The rapid growth of its LinkedIn following reflects the value and relevance of the content shared by the GICP, including insights into credit markets, professional development opportunities, and industry news.

“The response from our LinkedIn community has been great, and reflects the demand from the industry for a membership body specifically for credit professionals,” said Andreas Karaiskos, Executive Director of the GICP. “Our mission is to empower credit professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers. This milestone is a testament to the quality of our programs and the resonance of our message. It doesn’t stop here though – we have ambitions to continue to grow even more.”

Going forward, the Institute will continue to engage with its growing community, sharing valuable insights and resources to support credit professionals in their career journeys.

Individuals with an interest in financial services and the credit markets are invited to follow the GICP on Linkedin via this link.

GICP Launches Self-study Option for its Prestigious Global Credit Certificate

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals (GICP) is pleased to announce the launch of a new self-study option for its internationally recognized Global Credit Certificate (GCC). This development brings enhanced flexibility, affordability, and self-directed learning to professionals seeking to bolster their skills in the credit industry.

The new self-study option offers a unique blend of convenience and comprehensive knowledge. It’s designed to help professionals navigate the rapidly changing credit landscape by combining principles of credit analysis, practical application, and decision-making skills. It empowers individuals with the ability to learn at their own pace while maintaining their current professional commitments.

Level 1 self-study costs £750. The price includes E-book manuals; access to the online learning platform with eLearning, case studies, practice and revision questions; mock exams; the exam fee for a single attempt; and one year’s premium membership at the Global Institute of Credit Professionals for GCC alumni.

Candidates interested in registering for the self-study option for the GCC can sign up via this link.

Globally recognized CPD accreditation for events from the GICP

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals (GICP) is proud to announce a new initiative that will provide certified continuing professional development (CPD) accreditation for events. The accreditation is provided by the CPD Certification Service, the world’s leading independent accreditation service.

This initiative marks a significant advancement in GICP’s mission to support credit professionals’ career development. Our certified events will offer attendees the opportunity to stay current with vital industry information and key skills, thereby enhancing their professional competence and marketability.

Events from the GICP will be assessed and certified against a universally structured checklist developed by the CPD Certification Service. The process takes an impartial and objective overview of structure and value to ensure full conformity and compatibility to global CPD guidelines.

As our events will carry the CPD Certified symbol, attending professionals not only gain recognition of their expertise but can be assured that our events meet the highest standards for professional development.

As certification is carried out after the event, attendees will receive confirmation of the certification once the evaluation process is complete – usually around 2 weeks later.

Launch of the Global Institute of Credit Professionals

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals (GICP) has launched today with the aim of becoming the preeminent industry body for credit professionals. It will enhance professional skills for credit market participants through its new flagship professional qualification, the Global Credit Certificate.

Launched with the backing of Fitch Group, the GICP is responding to an industry need for a globally recognised body for credit professionals. Through its activities, it will foster collaboration, thought leadership and networking, while also working to support the career advancement and professional development of individuals looking to remain at the forefront of the industry. The GICP will have a particular focus on supporting and connecting finance professionals as they navigate the current challenging market conditions.

Headquartered in London, the GICP has an Advisory Board comprising senior representatives from the financial sector, along with representatives from Fitch Group.

As part of its launch, the GICP has announced a new Global Credit Certificate designed to equip market participants with the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to make better credit decisions and navigate the changing credit landscape. The Global Credit Certificate combines the principles of credit analysis and practical application, with a particular focus on critical thinking and decision-making.

Andreas Karaiskos, Chief Executive Officer, Fitch Learning, said: “We believe this is a critical time for credit professionals as we enter a downturn and many within the industry face a higher interest rate environment for the first time. This has led to the establishment of the Global Institute of Credit Professionals to help guide credit market participants through a rapidly evolving financial services landscape.”

The Global Credit Certificate qualification will cover topical issues such as ESG and the latest trends in financial technology. It is particularly suitable for those in corporate and commercial banking, credit analysis, risk management, capital markets, credit research and investment management. The launch of the qualification follows a strongly received international pilot programme.

Aneta Buchert, Senior Director, Global Institute of Credit Professionals, said: “The Global Credit Certificate aims to set a new global benchmark for those seeking high quality, contemporary and practical credit training. The qualification has been designed and built by experienced practitioners in response to market demand for a globally consistent standard which enhances the knowledge and skills of credit professionals.”

For further information on the Global Institute of Credit Professionals and the Global Credit Certificate please visit www.GICP.org and watch this introductory video.

About Fitch Group

Fitch Group is a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Fitch Group comprises Fitch Ratings, a global leader in credit ratings and research, and Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of data, research and analytics. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.

About the Global Institute of Credit Professionals

The Global Institute of Credit Professionals was launched in January 2023 in response to demand from the credit industry for a recognized professional body for credit professionals globally. It offers the Global Credit Certificate – a new flagship professional qualification designed to prepare individuals to navigate the changing credit landscape.