• Jersey Finance Insight Day: A string of successful sessions

    by Zainab Razeek | May 29, 2023
    Students say the event on 9 March 2023 positively changed the way they felt about careers in financial services

    Please see the full article here.
  • A serenade and a salute to the Institute’s work

    by Zainab Razeek | May 15, 2023
    CISI Cyprus’ pinnacle social event of the year celebrates members and the Institute's local and global achievements

    Please see the full article here.
  • Cotswolds annual dinner and awards night

    by Zainab Razeek | May 15, 2023
    One branch president steps down and another takes over the mantle as we celebrated award winners

    Please see the full article here.
  • New Connect & Learn sessions

    by David Giles | Apr 17, 2023
  • Jersey Finance Insight Day: Digital assets

    by Zainab Razeek | Mar 07, 2023
    Our second preview for the school students’ event on 9 March looks at trading in financial markets with a crypto execution trading professional

    Please see the full article here.
  • Digital Transformation in Financial Services

    by Zainab Razeek | Mar 01, 2023

    The Inside Story

    February 22nd 2023

    Murrough O’Brien, Strategic Risk Manager, New Ireland, Wealth & Insurance Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland delivered a wholly compelling presentation on the digital transformation in Financial services where he was a pivotal leader.

    This was one of our highest attendance events ever reflecting the interest in, and importance of the subject.

    Incorporating business leaders in every aspect of such a transformation and being fully aware of the importance of change management are key to ultimate success. NAC member Clark Elder expertly and eloquently chaired the event where there was a high level of engagement from the attendees, and fellow NAC member Tommy Cronin was instrumental in setting up the event.

    It was accompanied by an excellent set of slides soon to be available on CISI TV

  • Jersey Finance Insight Day: Greenwashing and transition companies

    by Zainab Razeek | Mar 01, 2023
    As part of a series of previews for our event on 9 March, we speak to two experts about their planned session on responsible finance

    Please see the full article here.
  • A toast to top performers at the Jersey branch annual dinner

    by Zainab Razeek | Feb 16, 2023
    We congratulated candidates who excelled in their CISI exams and guests who won big with a bumper raffle

    Please see the full article here.
  • Saludo de Bienvenida

    by David Giles | Feb 15, 2023

    Bienvenido a MyCISI, la plataforma de afiliación para miembros del CISI. Como miembro, tendrá acceso a recursos y oportunidades exclusivos que le ayudarán a mantenerse a la vanguardia en su campo.

    Ventajas de la membresía:

    • Acceso a contenidos de alta calidad relacionados con la formación continua en el sector financiero. Nuestro contenido se actualiza anualmente para garantizarle el acceso a la información y los conocimientos más recientes.
    • El contenido de formación propio de la plataforma se computa automáticamente en su perfil, lo que le facilita el seguimiento de su progreso y el cumplimiento de sus objetivos de desarrollo profesional.
    • Los miembros también pueden cargar su propia formación continua (CPD) proporcionado por terceros, manualmente en sus propios perfiles individuales. De este modo, dispondrá de un registro completo de todas sus actividades de desarrollo profesional en un único lugar.
    • Oportunidades de establecer contactos con otros miembros del CISI, incluido el acceso a eventos y foros en los que podrá conectar con otras personas de su sector y compartir conocimientos y puntos de vista.
    • Descuentos en cursos de desarrollo profesional y otros eventos.

     

    Uso de la plataforma:

    La plataforma es fácil de usar y de navegar, por lo que le resultará sencillo encontrar los recursos y la información que necesita.

    Nuestro contenido está organizado por temas, para que pueda encontrar fácilmente la información más relevante para usted.

    Puede hacer seguimiento de sus progreso y supervisar sus actividades de desarrollo profesional utilizando las herramientas integradas en la plataforma.

    Puede conectar con otros miembros del cuerpo profesional del sector financiero, compartir información y puntos de vista, y colaborar en proyectos.

    Cargar su propia formación continua (CPD) es sencillo, y nuestro sistema realizará un seguimiento automático de su progreso actualizando sus registros.

    Estamos encantados de tenerle como miembro del CISI y esperamos que los recursos y la información de nuestra plataforma le resulten valiosos en su camino hacia el desarrollo profesional.

    Si tiene alguna pregunta o comentario, no dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros, en membresia@cisi.org y/o en rosa.mateus@cisi.org

  • Manchester annual dinner and awards night

    by Zainab Razeek | Jan 31, 2023
    Manchester annual dinner and awards night

    The event on 20 October 2022 celebrated the achievements of our members while raising funds for charity  here.
  • Soaring to success at the Scotland annual dinner and awards night

    by Zainab Razeek | Jan 23, 2023
    The event, held on 29 September 2022 at the InterContinental Edinburgh The George, celebrated the achievement of award winners and raised a fantastic £1,665 for charity.

    Read more here.
  • A message from your new Branch President

    by Ahamed Saja | Nov 24, 2022

    Since taking over as Branch President there has been a lot going on, but I thought it was past due for me to introduce myself. I have worked in Financial Services in Leeds for 16 years and I have been a member of CISI’s Yorkshire Committee for a number of those years. My experience is mainly in Operations and recently with a Risk & Compliance focus, especially on CASS.

    Since my predecessor Charlie’s update earlier this year, the Yorkshire Committee have finally been able to hold meetings in person again and it has been great to see people face to face. I hope in 2023 to be able to host more in-person CPD events but I think online webcasts will continue to be a crucial part of our CPD framework. As we approach the end of the year, if you need to top up your CPD hours I’d recommend looking at what CPD webcasts are available to book, and CISI TV covers a huge range of topics. If you’re not already a member of our LinkedIn CISI Yorkshire Network, I would recommend you join, as we keep it updated with upcoming CPD opportunities.

    In May I joined other Regional Presidents at the CISI’s office in London where we heard about new and existing initiatives from the CISI and were able to discuss our challenges and successes from our regions. Earlier this year the CISI introduced a mentoring initiative which is a great way to build on the Young Professionals Network and will bring real benefits to both mentees and mentors so I would encourage everyone to get involved if you can.

    The other big news from the CISI this year has been the appointment of a new Chief Executive in September 2022, Tracy Vegro OBE. Tracy’s appointment really demonstrates the CISI’s commitment to diversity and the Yorkshire Committee and I look forward to working with her.

    Rebecca Keating
    CISI Yorkshire President

  • A message from your Branch President

    by Ahamed Saja | Nov 24, 2022

    As I come to the end of my term as President, it seems a sensible time to reflect on what has without doubt been a strange, challenging, upsetting and difficult time for a lot of people in a lot of ways. On a more positive note, it has also been a time of great innovation and change and a testimony to the human ability to adapt and survive and in a lot of cases thrive in the face of adversity. Whilst not wanting to over egg it, I think the CISI (and I include the local committee in that) has adapted very well and in particular upped it’s game in terms of the online offering including the new app (which if you haven’t used it, I would recommend you do as it’s excellent)

    When my term started in February 2020, I didn’t anticipate a situation where we wouldn’t have any face to face committee meetings before I handed over to my successor, Rebecca Keating! We have been able to hold regular committee meetings virtually and at times which have been more convenient for all of us – they have also more efficient in terms of time taken but clearly we have all missed the ability to interact face to face. That has also been missing from our CPD events and it is unsure at this stage when we will return to in person meetings in the future. It is certainly something we are keen to gain feedback on in terms of what members prefer and also what topics people would like to hear about. Please do get in touch and let us know as we want it to be useful and relevant to you all.

    I have enjoyed hosting a few virtual seminars and feel these have a ongoing part to play in delivering CPD sessions to members but personally wouldn’t want this to be the only way we do it. The social events we have held when we have been able have demonstrated people still like to meet in person and this is something as a committee we continue to discuss on a regular basis.

    As I type, I am listening to the Presidents Day meeting with Simon Culhane talking about changes and what the future might look like. I certainly look forward to being an active member of the committee and helping Rebecca Keating as she takes over as President next month. I have no doubt she will be a great success and wish her the best of luck in the new role! I am sure she will look forward to updating you before too long…..

    Charlie Thompson
    CISI Yorkshire President

  • Flu Vaccinations

    by HR HR | Oct 12, 2022

    The Institute arranges annual flu vaccinations for any members of staff who are interested, the cost of which is be covered by the Institute.

  • Tax Office

    by HR HR | Oct 12, 2022
    The address of the Inspector of Taxes dealing with employees is: -
    Chapel Wharf Area 
    Trinity Bridge House 
    2 Dearmans Place 
    Salford
    M3 5BS
    Telephone No: 0300 200 3300
    All enquiries should quote the reference number:
    951/GA42853

    National Insurance

    Compulsory contributions to the State National Insurance Scheme are deducted from salary payments in accordance with current legislation.

    The address of the National Insurance enquiry office is: -

    National Insurance Contributions Office
    Benton Park View
    Newcastle-upon-Tyne
    NE98 1ZZ

    Telephone 0191 213 5000

  • Confidentiality Agreement

    by HR HR | Oct 12, 2022

    Below is the standard confidentiality agreement which all staff sign and this forms part of your contract of employment 

    I hereby agree:

    1. That I will treat all information (in whatever form, whether written, electronic or otherwise) relating to the Institute's business, finances, transactions, affairs, suppliers, agents, employees, members, consultants, products and services, timetables, schedules, prices, research or other information of a confidential, sensitive, personal or financial nature that is not generally known or easily accessible to the public, as completely confidential and understand that I may not use (other than in the proper performance of my duties) disclose or permit to be disclosed such information, either orally, in writing, or by any other means to any person not authorised to receive it.

    2. With regard to CISI’s Qualifications and Examinations, that I:

    • Will treat examination materials and any information regarding the content of examinations at all times as confidential and I will not divulge any such information to a third party.
    • Will inform the Institute of any relatives/close friends who intend to sit any examination organised by the Institute.
    • Obtain written agreement before taking any Institute qualification. 
    • Understand that I am unable to sit Institute exams if my role requires me to have access to the question bank or I work in the Qualifications or Learning Resources departments.  (Employees who leave the Institute are permitted to take CISI exams after a minimum of two years from the date they leave.)  If you are based in the Qualifications area, you may be able to take CISI examinations at the discretion of the Director of Learning.
    • Will not remove any physical or electronic documents from the physical or electronic Qualifications area without permission of the Director or an Assistant Director.

    3. That I will treat information gained during my employment as confidential, even after the expiry of my contract of employment, without limitation in point of time. 

    4. That I will seek guidance from my manager regarding what information may or may not be divulged.

    I understand that breach of the above will be an act of serious misconduct and as such may be grounds for termination of my employment.


  • Appraisals

    by HR HR | Sep 28, 2022
    The CISI is committed to the personal and professional development of its staff and an effective way of doing this is by using a performance appraisal system.

    Appraisals are carried out each year during the first quarter of the year and a mid-term appraisal is conducted in August / September to review how the employee is working towards achieving their objectives for the year.

    Your appraisal is a formal opportunity for you and your manager to discuss your performance and review your objectives. It also offers you a chance to discuss training for your current role, development for future career aspiration, and wider work issues.

    In order to prepare for your appraisal, it may be useful to complete the self-assessment form.

    As part of the Quality initiative programme, all employees should have an objective which relates to improving customer service.  If any members of your team do not have a customer service objective, please can you add one as part of the interim review. The CISI Objectives for the year can be found on the front page of the intranet.

    Guidance

    The ‘Appraisals and Objectives form’ on which your objectives and performance reviews are recorded can be accessed via Cascade (HR database).

    • If you have regular one to ones with the employee, you do not have to arrange a separate meeting, however you should give them notice of the meeting and that their objectives are going to be discussed, and ask them to bring a copy of their CPD record
    • There should be a discussion on the progress they are making towards achieving their objectives. 
    • If an employee has moved jobs or departments, their new line manager should undertake the review with input from the previous manager
    • To adding an interim review, you do not need to create a new record on the ‘Appraisals and Objectives’ screen, please just edit the existing record you created when adding the objectives for that year. 
    • A new record should be created for each review year

    • Please inform your Director/ Assistant Director when you have completed all the interim reviews for your team so that they can login and check them on the Cascade HR Portal. 

    If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact HR@cisi.org. 

    Additional Resources for Managers

    Appraisal Form for Apprentices 
    Appraisers Preparation Sheet
    Request Feedback Form

     

  • Development & Training Policy

    by HR HR | Sep 28, 2022
    The Institute is committed to training employees to ensure that they have the skills to perform their role and it encourages employees to develop themselves to their fullest as individuals.
     
    The Institute provides employees with development opportunities including coaching; working on projects, attending briefing sessions, workshops, in-house training, Institute training courses, and the CPD scheme. This may also include external training courses, and long-term study leading to qualifications. Employees may discuss and agree development needs, and a training plan with their manager.
     

    1. Institute Training & Development

    CISI CPD Scheme
    The CISI has a CPD scheme for all employees accessed on the CISI website. There are a wide range of Professional Refreshers, CISI TV, webinars and other courses available covering a variety of topics.
     
    Learning about the Financial Services Industry
    New employees with less than five years relevant industry experience will need to pass the ‘Fundamentals of Financial Services’ within three months of joining the CISI, to learn about the Financial Services Industry. If a manager feels it is not appropriate, they can advise HR on why the employee does not need to complete Fundamentals. The employee will get paid time off to take the exam and one day’s paid study leave for the first sitting of the exam (which must be booked in advance).
     
    New Employees
    All new employees are required to take the following professional refreshers in order to pass their probationary period:
    • UK Bribery Act
    • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
    • Cyber Security: How to Keep You and the CISI Safe
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    which are in addition to, ‘Integrity Matters’ Current Employees
    Each year employees are required to take the UK Bribery Act, General Data Protection Regulation and
    Cyber Security: How to Keep You and the CISI Safe Professional Refreshers which must be confirmed by their manager at their appraisal.
     
    In addition, it is recommended that employees in Business Development and Qualifications take the Regulatory Landscape Professional Refresher.
     

    2. External Training & Development

    When considering external training, it is essential to first determine whether the training requirement is relevant to the employee’s career at CISI. The training may not be currently relevant to their role; but instead opens opportunities for increased responsibility in the future. Determining relevance is the responsibility of the employee’s Line Manager and should be discussed with the department Director/HR if needed.
     
    As described in Section 1 above, the Institute has a wide range of training available in-house, so before opting for external training it is important to fully investigate the internal/ free options available. The below flow chart demonstrates this process.
     
     

    *Please see the table below for the equivalent amount in other offices *
     

    How to purchase training under £150 per annum

    Training under £150 per annum that has been agreed by a manager should be purchased by the individual attending the training. A valid receipt should then be submitted via webexpenses and allocated to training code 2160. If a charities discount is available, or if you have any questions, then please contact HR@cisi.org.
     

    Further details:

    Courses (between one hour and less than 5 days)- where work related
    • The Institute will pay for the course fees (see above flowchart for approval process)
    • The Institute will allow reasonable time off to attend the course
     
    Courses with Examinations (not CISI exams) (for a period up to one month) - where work related
    • The Institute normally contributes, on a one-time basis, to the course and examination fees
    • The Institute will provide an agreed allowance for time to attend the course and exam
    • The Institute will provide one day’s paid study leave for the first sitting of up to three exams. (Leave must be booked in advance)
     
    Membership of Professional Bodies
    The Institute may contribute to the membership fees for an employee (once they have completed their probationary period) to be a member of a professional body, where it is relevant for their job. It is unusual for the Institute to contribute more than the current CISI Fellow membership fee plus 10%.
     
    1. CISI will reimburse the subscription fees for an individual provided at least one of the below criteria are met;
     
    a. It is a statutory requirement for the employee to be a member, or a license or certificate of practice is required to perform their role;
     
    b. The membership is directly related to the role performed by an employee;
     
    2. The company will reimburse the cost of one professional membership unless it is required to have more than one membership to perform a particular role.
     
    3. The company will reimburse the cost of one professional membership that does not directly relate to an individual’s role, if approved by a Director. The value reimbursed will be up to a maximum value equal to the equivalent CISI membership.
     
    4. All reimbursements for UK employees need to be submitted and approved through the expense claim process, accompanied by an invoice/ receipt. UK employee professional memberships are not to be paid by corporate credit card (including virtual cards) or through the supplier invoicing process as the memberships are invoiced to the individual.
     
    5. International reimbursements can be submitted and approved through the expense claim process, accompanied by an invoice / receipt, or can be paid directly by submitting an approved invoice to accounts payable. This concession is due to the relative cost of some memberships internationally.
     
    6. The above is in addition to membership of CISI.
     

    3. Long-Term Study leading to a Qualification

    This applies to any courses / qualifications requiring more than one month of study.
     
    For an employee to be considered for support to undertake long-term study leading to a qualification the following criteria will apply:
    • Possess one year’s satisfactory service with the Institute as a permanent employee
    • Evidence of a good attendance record
     
    • The qualification is relevant to their job
    • The qualification should not take more than 3 years to obtain
     
    Support is available on the following basis
    • The cost of the qualification, in terms of time and money, are normally shared between both parties, as there are mutual benefits to both the individual and the Institute.
    • The Institute will provide an agreed level of paid time to attend classes (if applicable) and take exams
    • The Institute may provide up to one day’s study leave per exam, and two days for dissertation work
    • The maximum amount of support available is £2,000 per year (please see the table below for the equivalent amount in other offices).
    • The employee’s level of contribution towards the fees will depend on a number of factors including the relevance of the qualification, if paid time off is needed, the level of fees, their work performance, and if other training is needed
     
    The employee may be required to repay the full cost or a pro-rata proportion (depending on a number of factors including the relevance of the qualification and the level of Institute’s support and contribution) of the fees paid by the Institute in the following circumstances:
    1. They leave the Institute’s employment during the period they are undertaking the course;
    2. They do not complete the course;
    3. They leave the Institute within a set period after the end of the completion of the course/ qualification.
     
    Process for applying for long-term study support:
     
    The individual is required to make an application to their Director and to HR for support via the Cascade HR Portal “Training – request for long term support form”, outlining the benefits to the Institute, the benefits to the individual, the relevance of the qualification, details of the total finance costs, amount being sought, and time commitment.
     
    Where the course lasts more than one year, at the annual appraisal your line manager / Director will review the individual’s progress and the Institute reserves the right to defer or stop support if the individual no longer continues to meet the above criteria or where performance is no longer fully satisfactory.
    Final approval may be sought from the Chief Executive.
     

    Level of support by office

      UK -GBP Sri Lanka - LKR Dubai - UAD India - INR Philippines - PHP
    Line manager training limit per annum per employee 150 16,500 700 5,000 3,500
    Maximum support available for long-term study per annum 2,000 230,000 9,000 65,500 44,700

    *Approval limits are not pro-rated for part-time employees.

  • Statutory Parental Leave

    by HR HR | Sep 28, 2022
    The Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999 created a right for employees to take time off work, unpaid, to look after a child or make arrangements for the child's welfare. This right operates independently of the right to maternity leave and applies to mothers and fathers (natural or adoptive) or anyone who has acquired formal parental responsibility for a child. 
     

    Entitlement 

    If you have at least one year's continuous service, you will be entitled to 13 weeks’ parental leave upon the birth of your child 
     
    If you have acquired formal responsibility for a child, e.g. guardianship, you have the same right to parental leave.
     
    If you adopt a child and have at least one year's continuous service, you will also be entitled to 13 weeks' leave provided the child is under the age of 18. The right to parental leave lasts for five years from the date on which the child is placed for adoption.
     
    If you have a disabled child you can take 18 weeks parental leave up until the child's eighteenth birthday.
     
    If you work part-time you will receive a pro-rated amount of leave.
     
    Any parental leave taken is unpaid.
     

    Procedure 

    You may not take more than four weeks' parental leave per year per child.
    You must give at least 21 days' notice of an intention to take parental leave and should specify the dates.
     
    Applications for parental leave must be made in writing and you may be required to provide evidence of their responsibility for the child and the child's age.
     
    You may not take parental leave in periods of less than one week (although parents of disabled children are allowed greater flexibility).
    Fathers may take time off immediately after the birth and parents immediately after an adoption provided that they give 21 days' notice of the expected week of the child's birth or adoption.
     
    It may be necessary to postpone parental leave for up to six months (unless it is being taken immediately after a child is born or adopted) if the Institute need is acute. The Institute will confirm this in writing, not later than 7 days after you have given notice to take leave, stating the reason for the postponement and setting out the new dates for the parental leave.
     
    You will remain employed during the parental leave period. Certain contractual terms continue to apply. In particular, the employer's obligation of trust and confidence, terms concerning notice, redundancy compensation, disciplinary and grievance procedures. Also, the employee's obligation of good faith and any express term prohibiting disclosure of confidential information or participation in a competing business.  You will continue to receive the same benefits, except salary, during this period.
     
    Where both parents are employed by the Institute, you will each be entitled to leave but you cannot both take parental leave at the same time.
     
    When you return from parental leave of four weeks or less you will return to your previous job.  In extenuating circumstances, parental leave may be extended at the Institute's discretion. If you return from parental leave of more than four weeks you will return to your previous job wherever possible or, if not offered similar jobs which have the same or better status, terms and conditions as the previous job.
     
  • Adoption Leave

    by HR HR | Sep 28, 2022
    Employees can take up to 52 weeks’ Statutory Adoption Leave. The first 26 weeks is known as ‘Ordinary Adoption Leave’, the last 26 weeks as ‘Additional Adoption Leave’. 

    Leave can start: 

    • On the date the child starts living with the employee or up to 14 days before the expected placement date (UK adoptions) 
    • When an employee has been matched with a child to be placed with them by a UK adoption agency
    • When the child arrives in the UK or within 28 days of this date (overseas adoption) 
    • The day the child’s born or the day after (parents in surrogacy arrangements) 

    Adoption Pay 

    If the employee is taking adoption leave as the primary caregiver, they will be entitled to the same pay as the enhanced maternity leave if they have been an employee of the CISI for at least two years at the start of adoption leave. 

    The maximum entitlement to pay is 39 weeks. Employees will receive a higher rate of pay in respect of the first seventeen weeks and SAP for the remaining 22 weeks. 

    • Higher rate pay is 100% of your normal weekly salary 
    • SAP is a flat rate set by the Government each year

    Standard Adoption Pay

    Employees who are not eligible for the enhanced pay will receive statutory adoption pay subject to meeting the criteria below. 

    The maximum entitlement to adoption pay is 39 weeks. 

    Weeks of payment at the lower rate may be lost if the employee does any work for the CISI during their maternity leave apart from the ‘keeping in touch days’.

    • Higher rate SAP is 90% of your average weekly earnings.
    • Lower rate SAP is a flat rate set by the Government each year. 

    Adoption pay will be paid in the same way as your salary on or around the 24th of each month and is subject to tax and National Insurance.

    For more information on Adoption leave and pay please contact HR.