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When did you sit for the FRM
Exam? I sat for the FRM Exam and passed in 2001.
How much experience in managing risk
did you have before you sat for the FRM Exam? I had about
two years experience working as a Market Risk Management analyst at
Credit Suisse in London.
What motivated you to sit for the
FRM Exam? I wanted to extend my technical knowledge and
perspective in risk. At the time, I primarily specialized in market
risk and wanted to both deepen my knowledge of market risk as well
as broaden my knowledge to include a holistic understanding of risk
across other disciplines. I also felt the FRM would open up
exciting and challenging new career opportunities for me in any
area of risk, since I anticipated that the risk profession would
grow significantly worldwide, especially in Asia Pacific. The FRM
was the only internationally recognized professional risk
qualification in the world, so it was the perfect fit.
What was the biggest challenge in
preparing for the FRM Exam? My biggest challenge was that
other areas of risk (e.g. credit risk, operational risk, the Basel
Accords etc.) were completely new to me. And compared to nowadays,
in 2001 there was not a wide range of high-quality study materials
available to help prepare for the FRM Exam. To get ready for the
test, I spent quality time reading and understanding all of the
reference materials (not just once, but sometimes several times). I
also practiced with the available past Exam questions.
English isn't your native tongue.
How did you overcome this challenge and succeed on the FRM
Exam? One doesn't need to be a native English speaker to
understand and pass the FRM Exam. Power reading, spotting the key
facts and information, and both analytical and quantitative
techniques are more essential to success on the FRM Exam.
How has the FRM has made a
difference in your career and professional development?
Becoming a Certified FRM enhanced my technical knowledge,
understanding, and awareness of all aspects of risk management. It
led to my success in subsequent jobs and careers, both in
performing my job and when interacting with colleagues.
What skills and insights would a
Certified FRM likely have over a job applicant who doesn't hold the
designation? A Certified FRM will have attained a high
standard of holistic risk management knowledge, as proven by
passing the FRM Exam and satisfying the work experience
requirement. In addition, he or she will have also demonstrated
significant initiative and self-motivation.
What would be your advice to
candidates considering sitting for the FRM Exam? Don't
just study exam-oriented study manuals from third party exam
preparation vendors -- these are useful but tend to be abridged and
summarized and may not cover the full FRM syllabus. Besides, one
deprives oneself of really learning from the syllabus by only
studying in that format. I strongly recommend candidates study ALL
of the referenced materials in the FRM syllabus in depth, and
understand them all for the benefits they will subsequently provide
in your day-to-day careers.
How would you describe your current
job? I analyze unstructured scenarios and issues across
various jurisdictions. I interact with risk professionals across
all disciplines to become aware of risk issues from their
perspectives. At the end of the day, I need to come up with
practical, compliant solutions at the highest standard of risk
management. Being an FRM gives me a global perspective on the
overall regulatory environment, which helps me to understand and
analyze the differences between jurisdictions.
Regulation and compliance are among
the faster-growing areas of financial services. How does the FRM
certification help candidates with this? The FRM
certification equips candidates with an essential foundation in
risk knowledge, concepts, mindset and attitude to accompany them
through their professional career in a changing regulatory
compliance environment.
Where do you see your career
progressing, and what role do you think the FRM will play in your
future? I see myself as continuing to specialize in the
regulatory compliance risk management arena and to progress up the
management hierarchy. The FRM has given me the essential risk
knowledge and the correct risk attitude to excel and differentiate
myself in this area.
How does it feel when you meet
another FRM? It feels great when I meet another FRM at
work, at conferences, or in other professional settings. The FRM
designation seems to create a special kind of connection between
Certified FRM practitioners. We always have so much to talk about
and share - whether about the FRM Exam experience, industry best
practices, or our career aspirations.
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