Ashley-Anne B. Testimonial Video

Brianne B. Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Brianne B.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
University of Southern California

Jolin A. Swiss Finance Academy Experience

Jolin A.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

National University of Singapore

Arthur L. Testimonial Summer 2008

Swiss Finance Academy Experience

Ife S. Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08 Testimonial

Ife S.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
Cornell University

Wow, what an adventure!

Hello,

Wow, what an adventure!

I’ve learned and grown so much during those three weeks. I didn't know that the class would last 12-14 hours a day. It turned out to be one of the best thing I decided to do. I’ve learned lots and lots of ibanking terms, so now when I watch or read articles on [media], I can understand better what they’re saying. I have also learned how to read market signs and then find the best move to react to the situation. The most important thing I’ve learned is what investment banking is all about. The instructor never gave us "made up answers" or said things just because he felt that is what should be said. He gave us truth and prepared us for the real world. Instructor's work experience as well as his contacts (panel) has given me a 'heads up' on what I can expect.

Those were three weeks that I’ll remember for a long time. It’s once back home that you realize how this experience was unique and incredible.

I know when I’ll start applying for job, I’ll be more confident because I’ve the “Swiss Finance Academy Advantage” over the other candidates.

Thanks again and I cannot wait to see you at the reunion.

Marie-Christine V.
Swiss Finance Alum 08
McGill University

Mohammed L. Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Mohammed L.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Dundee Dundee, Scotland

Nicholas H. Testimonial Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Nicholas H.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Fordham University

I am so happy to be classmates with the most ambitious peers in the world!

I am so happy to be classmates with the most ambitious peers in the world, but I am even happier to be your student--a top investment banker with wild knowledge and nice patience. Since I never took finance classes before, I had great difficulty in keeping pace with class. However, you used the best words possible to encourage me, giving me lots of confidence--when I need it most. The life in Lugano was the most cozy life ever--the residence for students and the environment was the best I've ever seen. Though the training program was finished, its spirit and the way I was trained to study will always benefit me in the future.
Though I don't know whether I will be able to enter this most competitive and selective industry for my career, but aiming for the highest and learning humbly will anyway make me a person with accomplishment in the end.

Best wishes!

Sincerely, yours, Dielu Z.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
University of Rochester

Matthew F. Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Matthew F.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Fordham University

I really feel like I made some huge strides during the program.

Hello. I hope everything is going well for you. My name is Matt and I was in the investment banking program in Lugano that just ended a few weeks ago. I just wanted to take a minute and say thank-you for everything during those three weeks. ...

I really feel like I made some huge strides during the program. And through studying the materials on my own these past few weeks, it has really started to all come together for me. It was just a great learning experience that I know will help me immensely in the future, no matter which path I take after college. At the same time, I met and became friends with some great kids, which I am sure will last for a long time to come. Anyways, I am sure you have gotten many of these little notes, ... I just wanted you to know that I really enjoyed the program, learned a lot, and even though it was certainly challenging, had a good time as well. ...

Well thank-you again for everything and I look forward to seeing you at one of the reunions in the near future. Have a great rest of the summer.

All the best, Matt S.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
Bowdoin College

Thank You for a great program this year

Hello,

Joanna here, from the recent Swiss Finance Academy class in Lugano. I just want to express my very good impressions of the program. I went into Lugano knowing basically next to nothing about finance, and came out feeling much more aware--especially of how little I knew.

Ever since the program ended, I've missed having intense doses of financial education every day. I watch [media] all the time, and try to keep up with the markets and read the [media] like you suggested.

Please do continue to send us periodic e-mailings regarding the happenings at Swiss Finance Academy, especially with reunions and events, and your own personal adventures. I had a great time listening to your stories and your experiences with finance, if anything interesting happens in the market and you've got a comment, I would definitely like to hear what you've go to say.

I had an extremely positive experience with Swiss Finance Academy, I only wish it didn't have to end so fast!

Best regards,

Joanna X.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Stanford University

I just wanted to thank you for making my time at the Swiss Finance Academy in Lugano into a truly transformational experience.

I just wanted to thank you for making my time at the Swiss Finance Academy in Lugano into a truly transformational experience. Being a huge soccer fan, I can testify to this fact by telling you that instead of waking up every morning and looking up the sports papers, the first thing I do now is to go through [media].

I plan on attending the reunion in NY and would be delighted to see you there again.


Regards,

Shahzeb B.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
University of Toronto

Thank you

I could not help myself from getting on my computer after a few hours of needed sleep to thank you for an amazing program. I always knew that with time, I would get to appreciate the knowledge and experience I gained these past three weeks and that it would prove valuable in my upcoming career challenges. However, I never realized how much I learned during the program and didn't think I would feel it so instantly until I started reading "The Economist" on my flight back to New York. As I read through, I stumbled upon a very interesting article titled "Leveraged Buy-outs, private investigation". Every paragraph I read sent another light bulb on, whether it was terms like interest coverage, payment-in-kind, covenants... it even referred to the RJR-Nabisco case we analyzed in class! Reading that article gave me a sense of how much I and many of my peers had accomplished at SFA during those intensive three weeks. Most of all was this feeling of achievement and satisfaction that I couldn't but transmit to you. I am confident that you have instilled in us the seeds for success in Investment Banking and I look forward to growing them in the upcoming years.

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to assure we have the best possible program and I look forward to our first reunion in New York in November.

Sincerely yours, Julien Ch.
Proud SFA Alumni
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
University of Maryland

I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to attend Swiss Finance Academy.

I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to attend Swiss Finance Academy. The program was extremely challenging, which was great practice for the real world of investment banking. The curriculum taught me the fundamental skills needed to value a company and so much more. The life and career lessons I have learned will stay with me for life. The true test is now. I looked at the three weeks in Switzerland as one day in the classroom; the homework will be staying current with both U.S. and world markets, as well reviewing the binders often. What I knew 3 weeks ago, versus now, has grown 10x.
Thanks again for a great program and best of luck with future endeavors.
I look forward to the reunion in New York later this fall.


Sincerely,

Nick H.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
Fordham University

I learnt incredibe amount of material in just three weeks.

I want to thank you for the wonderful program that Swiss Finance Academy has provided, I think I learnt incredibe amount of material in just three weeks. It was a lot of fun to be a part of Swiss Finance Academy.

Thanks a lot,

Amruta D.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08

Denison University

Thank you and update from me

I know it has been a few weeks since Swiss Finance Academy has come to an end, but not a day goes by where I do not think of something that took place over my three weeks in Lugano. Since I have been back home in NYC, I have started my internship... I am greatly enjoying the learning experience that is supplementing everything you have taught me.

So, this was just a quick thank you and update from me and I look forward to seeing you at the reunion!

Best Regards,

Emily L.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
Cornell University

I would like to thank you for organizing such an excellent program

First of all I would like to thank you for organizing such an excellent program, I was extremely satisfied (and extremely worn out...) and my career ambitions has now risen to completely new level...Further more I am trying my best to follow the markets and keep up to date, which is essential now that I've taken your advice on trying out the [mediamedia mock trading], so far I'm having my ups and downs.

I'll start my second year as an undergraduate at Regent's Business School London in early September and I want you to know that it would be more than a previlege for me to help and contribute to the Academy in any way possible.

Thank You Yours Sincerely Philip O.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 08
Regents Business School

I really enjoyed attending Swiss Finance Academy

I really enjoyed attending Swiss Finance Academy, and I just wanted to say thank you for teaching us about investment banking and asset management. The lessons I have learned from you regarding office composure as well as interview skills have been invaluable to me, and I will take them with me to the recruiting sessions this Fall and to my job in the future. Feel free to contact me if you need anything in the future.

Best Regards,

Gary A.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 06

University of Southern California

I will definitely recommend this program to other people.

On the way to the airport on Saturday, I was very tired and sad ... I just wanted to say it was a great time for me being in SFA. It was only a month, but I met many nice and charm people, and it was really hard to leave behind them. Even though the course was a little challenge for me, I feel that I learned a lot of things about finance more than the other finance classes that I took before. I will definitely recommend this program to other people.

Thank you for giving me a chance to explore this program, and it was great experience. Have a wonderful day, and hope to keeping in touch.

Thank you.

Heejin J.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 06
Alumni 06 Michigan State University

Go Team Swiss Finance!

I wanted to thank you for such a rewarding and fun experience! I am sure you have been told this repeatedly lately, but I am very grateful for your time and help.

Not only did I learn the basics of modeling but also got an inside scoop into the Investment Banking division of a bank. This has sealed my doubts on whether I should aim for the corporate finance division of a bank or the trading of securities.

I will definitely signal my interest in corporate finance. As of now I am going back to London and taking it from there.

Please keep in touch!

Best regards,

Bernard S.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 06
London School of Economics

Swiss Finance Academy Lugano

It was a pleasure to see you again in Lugano [this time as an alum]. I am delighted to see that Swiss Finance Academy is growing and gaining recognition.

I spoke to some of the students and got the same old feedback: hard work but very rewarding in terms of educational experience/insight onfinancial and IB industries. Great location as well. Unrivalled program.

Please keep me updated on the academy's progress.

Regards,

Georges T.

Swiss Finance Academy Alumn 05
Lebanese American University

Photo above: Georges T. (Lehman Brothers) in Swiss Finance 08 Career Panel

Swiss Finance Academy Verbier

I hope this note finds you well, and that you are recuperating from such a busy month! I just wanted to sincerely thank you for all of your kindness over the past month. I thoroughly enjoyed the program, which was quite a challenge for me, to say the least! I left Verbier with a profound interest in and appreciation for finance, and have [Swiss Finance faculty] to thank for this. I will certainly keep you apprised of my progress.

Take care, and, once again, thank you for offering me such a rewarding opportunity.

Best wishes.

Fondly,

Jonathan D.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 07

Hamilton College

Thank you!

I just wanted to thank you for giving me the chance to participate in the whole Swiss Finance Academy experience. It was extremely rewarding and I was able to learn so much in just a few weeks. I think Swiss Finance Academy is on track to becoming very successful, as our its students.

Thank you again, and I will definitely stay in touch and let you know how the internship search goes. I start my first investment banking internship tomorrow - I can't wait!

Sincerely,

Mark R.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 06
Brown University

Thank you Swiss Finance Academy by Gurmukh

I did not get a chance to explicitly thank-you. Over the past four weeks I can safely say that I learnt a lot not only in terms of Investment Banking Finance but a lot of other things that would go untaught or unnoticed in another environment. I spent a lot of time just observing and learning from the inputs that each of you provided in terms of point delivery and people interactions. This helped me in trying to pick some very important tools that will help me progress further. The fact that we were able to get frank and open opinions out on various topics (including non-academic topics) differentiates this course from a traditional university setting.

I have come to appreciate the complexities of organizing such a program and I think given the large number of students involved it well coordinated.

I hope we can remain in contact and look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Gurmukh R.
Swiss Finance Academy Alumni 06
Drake University

Greetings

Many thanks for an inspiring four weeks in Switzerland. Incredibly intense and extremely challenging, the SFA program has afforded me an opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the Investment Banking world and has equipped me with the skills necessary to make a seamless transition from academia into the I-Banking industry. While my initial intent on enrolment was to gain an advantage in a competitive industry, this was achieved and much more. I have acquired an in-depth understanding of corporate finance and the interviewing skills gained will undoubtedly be a value added in the pursuit of my career path. I am also grateful for the great networking and friendships established.

My congratulations on an excellent program. It has positively impacted my life and spurred my ambition even further. I too hope to be able to emulate your mission and render my services to others in a similar capacity in the future.

Kind regards

Nicholas M.
Swiss Finance Alum 06
Cass Business School

I would like to thank you for the great investment banking training experience

I would like to thank you for the great Investment Banking experience in Switzerland. The experience really enhanced my knowledge and skills i.e. modeling in excel, and the discussions about the markets.

I wanted to enlighten you of the fact that the whole Swiss Finance Academy experience has given me an edge...in my current internship. Especially the module on debt capital markets (debt seniority and high yield) has helped me to better understand my daily work in the leverage finance group...I am able to offer constructive input in discussions. There are lot of things that I have picked up and I am constantly working on the things that you have mentioned to me.

Keep in touch.

Thanks & Regards,

Rahul V.

Swiss Finance Academy Alum 06

University of Michigan

I just would like to say "Thank you" for last 2 weeks.

I'm e-mailing you because I just would like to say "Thank you" for last 2 weeks.

Even if the program was pretty difficult fo me, now I can tell for sure it was a great experience to me. Actually I could enjoy and learn a lot of things! It was just amazing.
Now I'm thinking I will continue to study Finance & Accounting stuff, because I thought they are pretty essential things to become a great business person, aren't they?

Of course I will make the most of the experience and things I learned in the program.
I would like to let you know about my situation sometimes, and I hope someday I will be able to come back to Swiss Finance Academy.

Happy Holiday & Happy New Year!!

Ikkei O.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 05
Keio University, Japan

The two weeks I spent in Swiss Finance Academy was the best time of my life

The two weeks I spent at Swiss Finance Academy was the best time of my life. The knowledge I gained through is program was truly invaluable. At the same time, I also made so many great friends that I want to keep for a lifetime. Because I was in such a hurry to leave on the last day of the program [so I wouldn't miss my flight], I've never gotten the chance to thank you for helping me with my interview skills and for providing me with such wonderful opportunity.

Sincerely Yours

Chris L.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 05
University of California, Berkeley

Thanks for all the help, advice, and support

Hope you are doing well. It was a pleasure meeting you... Thanks for all the help, advice, and support you provided during this fantastic program. I really gained more than I expected and it was a sound investment for my time. ...

It was great knowing you and I really had lots of fun. Looking forwards to meeting you again. My wife also send her regards ...


All the best,

Hashem A.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 05
University of Michigan

Swiss Finance Academy Boston

I just wanted to write and thank you for the past two weeks. I feel that I really made some positive steps forward over that time and significantly increased my chances by improving my interview skills. I appreciate your honest opinions and constructive criticism tremendously. I feel that alone was worth the tuition fee.
I am much more confident now and I cannot wait to begin the interview process.

Thanks again ... All the best,

Grant G.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 05
College of Charleston

It really was one of the best months of my life

Thanks a lot for having me for that course, it really was one of the best months of my life - I learnt a lot of new Finance concepts, made a lot of new friends, did a lot of new things, and thoroughly enjoyed every single day, of the time I was there..


Kind regards,

Akali O.
Swiss Finance Academy Alum 05
King's College, London

Alumni blog is launched!

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