Master Fixed-Income Investments & Boost Your Portfolio Management Skills

The investment portfolio is a cornerstone of a bank or credit union’s balance sheet. As a community banker, you play a critical role in ensuring your institution's financial stability and growth, and the investment portfolio is at the heart of this mission. But for many community bankers, managing the portfolio can be a challenge.

Whether you're newer to your role or a seasoned veteran, managing the investment portfolio can be a complex task.  What makes it more challenging is finding the resources necessary for success.  And when you do manage to find these resources, another critical question arises – are they objective and providing you with the comprehensive insights needed to make informed decisions?

It seems pretty simple – you want to have easy access to the investment information and guidance you need so you can manage the investment portfolio effectively!  Is that too much to ask?

I Know What It's Like - I've Been There!

I’m familiar with the situation I just described because I lived it in my early years of managing my bank’s investment portfolio.  When I first started, I spent a lot of time searching for resources to help me be a better portfolio manager.

But it wasn’t easy.  What I found was a scattered landscape of resources that took a lot of time to sift through and piece together.  There was no one source I could go to for the information I needed.

I found academic resources that provided valuable insights but were often too theoretical.  They lacked the practical, real-world perspective to make it easy to apply.

I also turned to brokerage firms for their expertise.  It was helpful, but I sometimes wondered about the objectivity.  Was the info what I needed to make an informed decision?  Or was it to get me to “yes” so the broker could sell me a security?

In addition, I sometimes found it challenging to blend together what I learned.  These included:

• The characteristics and risks of different fixed-income security types
• How to build and manage a well-performing investment portfolio
• Balancing investment risks and rewards to meet strategic and financial objectives
• Navigating changing market conditions
• Communicating the investment process effectively to others

It wasn’t just about learning – it was about strengthening my investment skills so I could be a valuable contributor to my bank’s performance and results.

Looking back, it would have been so much easier if there was a single, unbiased place I could go to learn about investing and portfolio management.  So, I created one!

Unlock Your Full Potential as an Investment Portfolio Manager

At the Fixed Income Institute, we aim to empower you to become a more confident and capable investment portfolio manager.  Here are the professional benefits of becoming a member:

Enhanced Expertise – You’ll gain a deeper understanding of fixed-income securities and portfolio management strategies, making you a valuable contributor to your community financial institution.

Confident Investment Decisions – Say goodbye to doubts and second-guessing!  Having access to the objective resources you need means you can make competent decisions confidently.

More Efficient Portfolio Management – You’ll be able to make timely investment decisions, allowing you to act swiftly and be more agile in changing market conditions.  Plus, you’ll be able to manage broker conversations more effectively, saving time and reducing your inbox clutter.

Improved Communications – You’ll gain the ability to clearly and concisely communicate the investment process to other stakeholders.  Your presentations to management, ALCO, the board, and regulators will inspire confidence and trust.

Real Results – Being a member of the Fixed Income Institute isn’t just about learning.  It’s about translating your knowledge into real results.  You’ll strengthen your portfolio management skills, contribute to your bank’s performance and strategic objectives, and boost your professional development.

The Fixed Income Institute is the key to transforming your investment portfolio management skills as a community banker.  Let us help you unlock your full potential!

Select the Training Program That's Right for You

Basic Training

This program is ideal for those bankers looking to access essential resources for improving their investment knowledge and portfolio management skills.  It includes:

• Monthly live investment training
• Monthly Q & A "office hours"
• Bonus resource library

Basic Training (6-month package):  $1,695

Basic Training (12-month package):  $2,895 (save 15%)

VIP Training

This premium program is for those seeking more personalized guidance and enhanced support.  It includes:

• Everything listed in Basic Training, PLUS
• Quarterly 1-on-1 Meeting: This is your opportunity for personalized training!  Get your investment questions answered, discuss portfolio management strategies, and receive private online training!
• Special Personal Access: You’ll have access to Chris for questions between training sessions and quarterly meetings via email or Zoom meeting.  It’s your own personal investment “phone-a-friend” for all your investment and portfolio management questions!

VIP Training (12 months):  $4,925

Upgrade for Expanded Access

You can register up to two additional members of your organization for an additional fee of $950.  This allows you to give other members of your team access to the investment training and resource library.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The Fixed Income Institute was created to help those in the community banking industry strengthen and develop their investment and portfolio management skills. Registrants are required to be an employee, regulator, or closely related affiliate of an FDIC- or NCUA-insured financial institution or holding company to participate.