Wealth Management:
It's all about Service, Expertise and Ethics
Participants of the Bank Julius Baer Investment Game get a lesson outside
the classroom
by Huang Peiling, 10 January 2012

What would you do if you were given USD 10 million to invest and 12 weeks to construct and grow a portfolio through sound investment strategies? That was the test that 15 students of the Master of Science in Wealth Management programme by the Singapore Management University (SMU) and Wealth Management Institute (WMI) were put to.

Presenting before a judging panel last Friday were three teams which had made it through to the finals of the Bank Julius Bear Investment Game, an investment simulation competition sponsored by Bank Julius Baer for the sixth consecutive year to give students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in investing a sum of ‘money' in a real-time environment.

Coming in tops was the team led by Cedric Ho, comprising Sri Fity, Lu Qiong, Koh Chol Soo and Peng Qi. While the judges did not agree with some of their strategies, they were clearly won over by their risk-adjusted portfolio performance and the clear, impactful report presented by the internationally-diverse team.

“This investment game gives students the opportunity to experience real life investment. Not only do they learn to build expertise in information gathering, they also have to make swift and accurate judgment in a real-time environment. In other words, they get to put into practice investment management theories which they have learnt in the classroom,” said Professor Francis Koh, Deputy Dean of SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business and Director of the programme, after judging.

The judges listened intensely as the teams presented their report. From left: Mr Mark Matthews, Head, Research Asia at Bank Julius Baer; Professor Francis Koh, Deputy Dean at SMU LKSCB; Mr David Lim, CEO Singapore, Bank Julius Baer; Professor Phoon Kok Fai, Associate Professor of Finance Practice at SMU LKCSB.
Photo by Huang Peiling

Another judge for the competition, Mr David Lim, CEO Singapore, Bank Julius Baer, took the opportunity to remind students that in the business of wealth management, clients come first.

“As in all service industries, we must understand the client, and deliver performance that is well-adjusted to meet his or her needs. You must also have the courage to make decisions and uphold your business ethics,” he said.

Cedric and team presenting the winning report to an attentive class and discerning judging panel.
Photo by Wealth Management Institute

Ms Cynthia Teong, Executive Director and CEO, Wealth Management Institute echoed Mr Lim's sentiments, but with firmer words.

“It is important that you are dealing with clean money. Otherwise you could be risking your career, the reputation of your organisation, and even that of the country as a reputable wealth management centre,” she advised.

The team had their fair share of challenges behind the scenes. “We all have full-time internships, so we had to take turns to monitor the market, and could only do so during our breaks,” recounted Cedric.

So how does the team intend to use the cash prize of S$3,888? Cedric candidly said no decision has been made. “But she's definitely going shopping,” he said, pointing to his team-mate. The team breaks into laughter, as they dig into their well-deserved dinner for the evening.

The winning team (2nd to 5th from left) – Lu Qiong, Koh Chol Soo, Peng Qi, Cedric Ho and Sri Fity, with Professor Phoon Kok Fai (1st from left), Ms Cynthia Teong (3rd from right), Mr David Lim (2nd from right) and Professor Francis Koh (right)
Photo by Huang Peiling