FINSIA's first Professional Banking Fundamentals graduate passes with flying colours

FINSIA’s first graduate of our new suite of qualifications has spoken about passing and urged candidates to “grab the chance with both hands”. 

Alexander Neskovski passed his Professional Banking Fundamentals with flying colours picking up a grade of 77 per cent after just three months of study to pick up his G FIN designation.

University student Alexander who also works in peer-to-peer lending could soon be joined by 200 other finance industry workers who have embarked on the course since its May launch.

His firm is among a clutch of organisations whose employees are taking part in FINSIA’s re-launched banking professional qualifications.

Alexander, a 22-year-old student at UNSW, said: “It’s nice to be the first to pass, but I didn’t plan it that way.

“I’d recommend taking the PBF to anyone who is considering getting into financial services. Learn about the industry, enjoy it and see where it takes you. Grab it with both hands. 

“As a professional qualification, it’s certainly a comprehensive course. It is definitely a good complement and more practical than studying academic qualifications.

“For me, it was very much the flexibility of being able to study when I wanted and diversify to  learn new things that attracted me.

“If you have a busy week, you can delay studying one of the chapters and do it next week. It’s really flexible in fitting it around you schedule.”

But Alexander says it’s not just a formality for students who want to enhance their professional status and work towards becoming a Chartered Banker. 

Financial Analysis student Alexander says there were no shortcuts to the rigorous exams that he needed to pass - even though he took just a quarter of the total time given to complete the seven chapters that make up the course. 

“There were challenging parts of it as regards to the tests” he said. “It was the testing on some of the more obscure areas in complaints and insurance that I found the most tricky.

“There’s no doubt you’ve got to make sure you study everything properly to take the tests. You could do with reading the material three times over. “I would also say make sure you go into it with an open mind so that you can learn about the industry.

“The course stands on its own with regards to practical applications in the industry.”

Alexander, an underwriter for a peer-to-peer lending business based in London with offices in Australia - added: “It also helps give perspective on the way things should be done. 

“The Royal Commission is highlighting how the industry doesn’t always get things right.”

FINSIA head of Standards and Education Kylie Blundell SA FIN said: “It’s great to have our first graduates and even more pleasing that hundreds more should soon be taking that knowledge back into the banking and financial services industry. 

“FINSIA is really excited to to be back, providing professional qualifications after too many years away.

“That Alexander passed the PBF in just three months is obviously testimony to how hard he worked.  

“You can take as long as a year to read through all seven chapters in the book, take the mock exams and then the final examinations.” 

FINSIA Standards and Education manager Rachel Yates also passed the PBF in the first wave of sign-ups.

“It’s a challenging course, but well worth doing. I would definitely recommend the Professional Banking Fundamentals,” she said.