CERTIFICATE IN FINANCIAL ENGINEERING (CFE)
- Course Duration:
- 6 months, twice a week, approximately 80 hours
- Start Date:(Course offered two times a year)
- Jan / Jul, 2010 : New York
- Jan / Jul, 2010 : London
- Jan / Jun, 2010 : Hong Kong
- Jan / Jul, 2010 : Singapore
- Venue:
- Hilton Hotel (in most locations)
- Batch Size:
- Maximum 30 (THIRTY) persons
- Instructors:
- Risk Latte instructors plus industry experts (from banks)
- Course Fee:
- US $5,000 (USD Five Thousand) per person
- Eligibility:
- All participants selected through FEAT* (Financial Engineering Aptitude Test)
*FEAT can be downloaded online on request or the test can be taken at Risk Latte’s offices at specified times.
Broad Curriculum:
Module 1
Quantitative Modelling using Excel/VBA
(Optional: C++ programming)
Math Course Work - 8 hours
- Differential Calculus - concept of slope and the differential, rate of change, first and second derivative estimation, first principles, limit of a function, L’Hospital’s rule, local maxima and minima, rules of differentiation;
- Integral Calculus - area under the curve, rules of integration;
- Stochastic Calculus - Ito’s Lemma, Weiner process, Stochastic integrals, stochastic differential equations;
- Complex Analysis and extended transform functions - Fourier and Laplace transforms;
- Solution to Partial Differential Equations (PDE) - elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic
Excel/VBA Spreadsheet Course Work - 15 hours
(All course work can be replicated in C++)
- Advanced Excel spreadsheet modelling - use mathematical, statistical and engineering functions, data manipulation, array handling;
- Fundamentals of programming with VBA - writing sub-routines (macros) and custom (user) defined functions;
- Mathematical Operations using Excel spreadsheet and VBA - Matrices and Linear Transformations, solution of system of linear equations, roots of a non-linear equation (the Regula Falsi method, Newton-Raphson method, etc.) and solution of system of non-linear equations;
- Using VBA user defined functions and sub-routines to solve problems in Differential Calculus;
- Using VBA user defined functions and sub-routines to solve problems in Integral Calculus - Simpson’s and trapezoidal rule to evaluate integrals, Gaussian Quadrature;
- Solving stochastic integrals using Monte Carlo integration techniques;
- Using VBA to solve ordinary Differential equations - Euler’s method for first order differential equation, Runge-Kutta Method, Predictor-Corrector methods, Boundary conditions, solving systems of differential equations
- Using VBA to solve Partial Differential Equations - solving elliptic partical differential equations with finite difference methods (FDM), solving parabolic partial differential equations with the Explicit Method, Crank-Nicholson method.
Module 2
Financial Derivatives - I
Math Modelling in Excel/VBA Course Work - 10 hours
- Convex functions and Jensen’s inequality - concept of convexity and randomness;
- Financial options and Binomial model of option pricing;
- Black-Scholes model of option pricing and the Black-Scholes Partial Differential Equation;
- Feynman-Kac equation and the risk neutral expectation approach;
- Lattice method of estimating PDEs for derivatives;
- Numerical Integrals (single and double integrals) to estimate derivative payoff functions;
- Monte Carlo methods - math behind Monte Carlo methods, stochastic dynamics, generating low discrepancy numbers, variance reduction techniques;
- Correlation matrix analysis - semi-definiteness, cholesky decomposition, spectral decomposition, eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a correlation matrix, generating correlated random numbers;
- Copula methods in finance and Gaussian copula estimation techniques;
Volatility Modelling Course Work - 10 hours
- Estimation of historical volatility - un-weighted return approach, exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA), Parkinson Number, GK estimator;
- GARCH modelling;
- Implied volatility from Black-Scholes model, forward-forward volatility, volatility smile;
- Volatility surface modelling, Derman-Dupire-Kani surface, Dupire’s equation, local volatility estimation;
- Volatility surface with jumps, local volatility in the presence of default risk;
- Stochastic volatility models - Heston (1993) model and Heston-Nandi (2000) model;
- Closed form solution of Heston model and full valuation approach (Monte Carlo simulation);
- Asymptotic Volatility Analysis, volatility information from the options market - straddle, risk reversal and butterflies;
- SABR stochastic volatility model for FX derivatives; implementation of full valuation approach and closed form solution of SABR;
Module 3
Financial Derivatives - II
Valuation of Equity & FX Derivatives Course Work - 15 hours
- Valuation of first generation Exotic options - digital, barrier (knock in, knock out, KIKO, reverse knock outs), lookback, Asian options using Monte Carlo simulation methodology;
- Closed form analysis - factoring skew in pricing of binaries, put-call symmetry and static hedging of barriers, lookback hedging argument, adjusting for discrete monitoring of the barriers;
- Closed form analysis - reverse engineering of structured (derivatives) payoffs, convergence of closed form and Monte Carlo price;
- Valuation of first generation structured payoffs - accumulators, bull-bear notes, (equity and FX) range accruals, other equity linked payoffs;
- Valuation of second generation exotic equity options - cliquet, Napoloen, reverse cliquets, etc. using Stochastic volatility models of Heston and Heston Nandi, accounting for the forward skew;
- Valuation of second generation exotics - Parisian option, Passport option, Chooser Passport option using finite difference methods;
- Using binomial trees to value Bermudan payoffs;
- Valuation of multi-asset options and payoffs - basket, best of, worst of, rainbow options - using Monte Carlo simulation (PCA and Cholesky);
- Valuation of multi-asset path dependent payoffs - Himalyan, Altiplano, Everest, etc. - using Gaussian copula approach;
- Valuation of CDO (collateralized debt obligations) using Gaussian copula approach;
Estimation of Greeks & Risk Analysis Course Work - 5 hours
- Estimation of first order greeks - delta, gamma, vega, theta and rho - in closed form and Monte Carlo framework; estimation issues, speed, stability.
- Estimation of second order greeks - Volga, vomma, etc. - and adjustment to the valuation.
- Stress testing options portfolio, price-volatility matrix, vega convexity;
- Analysis of raw vegas and modified vegas; Vega Value at Risk (VaR), delta-gamma VaR;
- Analysis of correlation risks, Correlation vega, partial and total delta of baskets;
Module 3
Financial Derivatives - III
Valuation of Interest Rate Derivatives Course Work - 15 hours
- Analysis of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes, mean reverting random walks; normal models;
- Vasicek and Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR) process for short rates; the extended Vasicek model, valuation of options on coupon bonds;
- Tree framework for Vasicek model, binomial and trinomial trees;
- CIR Process with jumps, extended CIR process with jumps;
- Two factor affine models and valuation under two factor models, Heath-Jarrow-Morton (HJM) Forward rate model;
- Lognormal model of rates, Black-Derman-Toy tree and valuation of caps and floors using BDT tree;
- Libor Market Model (LMM), lognormal forward libor model (LFM), analysis of volatilities and correlations, forward rate volatilities;
- BGM model implementation, valuation of FRNs, structured interest rate payoffs under BGM model;
- Stochastic Volatility models for pricing interest rate derivatives;
- Pricing vanilla IRS & FX swaps, complex swaps (overnight indexed swaps, Libor in arrears swap, CMT swaps, quanto swaps, etc.);
- Convexity adjustment in complex swaps,
- Calibration - Black Volatilities and Swaption Volatilities.
To apply for the above course please write to info@risklatte.com with the subject header CFE (2009) or send your request by fax to +852 3752 0662
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