At a ceremony that took place today at Palais Liechtenstein, the first students to complete the University Programme in Financial Market Supervision at the Executive Academy of the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) were presented their diplomas, certifying them as academic financial market supervisors. The initiators of the two-year postgraduate university programme held parallel to professional activities, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) and the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), express their congratulations to the first 55 successful graduates. Together with the WU Executive Academy, the FMA and OeNB are responsible for the programme.
“With its serious impact, the global financial crisis has demonstrated with dramatic effect how important efficient and effective supervision is. To achieve this, staff members with the most advanced training are required, who are consistently able to tackle the newest developments in the financial markets on a level playing field. This university programme is a major step towards reaching these goals we have set,” FMA Executive Director Kurt Pribil announced. Fellow Executive Director Helmut Ettl added: “Especially for an integrated supervisory authority like the FMA, which unites under one roof the supervisory activities for Austria’s entire financial market, the approach offered by the University Programme in Financial Market Supervision is truly invaluable, in that it is aligned with practice, is interdisciplinary and takes in all sectors.” Andreas Ittner, Member of the Governing Board of the OeNB, drew attention to the European dimension that will characterise supervision in future, stating: “Particularly in the face of the current discussion of a banking union and related plans to create a uniform supervisory mechanism in Europe, we continue to require outstanding, informed and competent supervisory efforts in order to meet the goal of ensuring and reinforcing financial stability in Europe.”
The university programme is designed as a customised course of studies that provides a comprehensive overview of the basics in the areas of supervisory law, financial economics and business economics, and places a strong focus on risk management and controlling. Training is also provided in general management skills, effective communication and social competency.
Journalists may address further enquiries to:
Klaus Grubelnik (FMA Media Spokesperson)
+43/(0)1/24959-5106
+43/(0)676/882 49 516
Christian Gutlederer (OeNB Spokesperson)
+43/(0)1/404 20-6609
+43/(0)664/515 36 18