Finsia and the economic crisis: a letter from the CEO
As you are well aware, we are now living through one of the greatest financial crises of recent times.
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the work we are doing to support the industry and, in particular, our members as we work through this difficult and turbulent period.
Supporting you in your career
In our annual report earlier this year, I wrote about the need for a powerful member organisation in the financial services industry, one that protects and enhances the careers of the people who work in it, and contributes fresh and innovative thinking about its future direction. With the heightened volatility and persistent uncertainty confronting our industry, never before has this need been stronger.
Throughout the past year, we have developed an extensive range of resources to enhance members’ employability and offer support and structure throughout their careers – through both good times and bad. These include:
Finsia Career Transition Services
In partnership with Right Management, a leading career services provider, this service offers access to a choice of career transition programs. It is competitively priced and exclusively available to members, incorporating face-to-face or telephone job search coaching, assessment and practical workshops, as well as access to an extensive online career transition portal and research database. www.finsia.com/career/transition
Finsia Career Network
A free online financial services community, where members can build professional networks, access special interest groups and discussion forums, as well as tap into the hidden jobs market. www.careernetwork.finsia.com
Finsia Career Portal
A free collection of comprehensive career resources, advice and case studies for members who may be experiencing or pursuing a career change. www.finsia.com/careerportal/startingout or www.finsia.com/careerportal/changingjobs
Job Ready Online
Offering free access to thousands of jobs from blue chip employers in the financial services industry. www.finsia.efinancialcareers.com.au
Finsia Mentoring Program
Finsia pairs mentors and mentees over a structured 16-week course. Competitively priced and available only to members, the program was a resounding success in 2008, with close to 100 mentees tapping into the expertise, insights and networks of today's industry leaders. www.finsia.com/mentoring
Latest industry updates
Members can keep abreast of market changes with our comprehensive suite of information resources. This includes daily online news feeds from Finsia Daily Finance News; industry insights from our flagship magazine inFinance; technical and regulatory updates from JASSA, our Journal of Applied Finance,
and monthly Policy News bulletin; as well as a comprehensive program of professional development events.
Policy and research initiatives
We have initiated a significant research project to examine the causes of the current crisis, as well as implications for the future of financial markets regulation. This will explore the roles Australia and New Zealand can play in influencing the emerging global regulatory architecture while ensuring the resilience of our regulatory system is reflected in any new models. We will continue to be active in policy debates with support from our new Policy Advisory Council and Talent Advisory Taskforce. www.finsia.com/policy
Safeguarding our industry into the future
The depth and breadth of the current crisis is a reminder of just how crucial our industry is to business and consumers, and indeed entire economies. As we work through this downturn, be assured of our continued initiatives and collaboration with members, regulators and government to ensure a strong and resilient industry well into the future.
To find out more about any of these initiatives, please contact one of our member service representatives on 1300 FINSIA (1300 346 742) or members@finsia.com.
Wishing you a safe and happy festive season, and all the best in the new year.
Kind regards,
Dr Martin Fahy F Fin
Chief Executive Officer