| Next Event: |
March 11th, 2010
11:30am-1:00pm |
|
New Monthly Feature: Monthly Member Missive Showcase your work!
We are looking for interesting relevant investment-related content that has been researched, written and published by local members holding the CFA designation to feature in this newsletter. Articles fitting this description will be included in our regular email broadcasts. If you have written something fitting, or would like to, please see details by clicking here or contact Maren Amdal for more information. |
|
Member Ad: |
|
Used by over 4,200 of the world's top financial institutions for deep market intelligence and high-powered analytical tools. Please contact sales@capitaliq.com to ask for a free trial and demo of our services.
Want to promote your firm through an ad like this? Click here. |
|
Special Opportunity: |
|
CFA Minnesota has partnered with GreatCoffee.com to make Kuerig single-cup brewers available as door prizes and raffle prizes throughout the year.
Looking for k-cups?
Buy them here:
greatcoffee.com is also offering a special to CFA Minnesota Members: $25 off your brewer order. Use coupon code MNCFA25 at checkout. Expires 4/30/10
|
|
MENTORS WANTED! |
CFA Minnesota is looking for volunteers willing to mentor new members and candidates in the CFA program. This entails just a few hours of your time and helps introduce candidates to the Society. Please contact Josh Howard for more details. |
|
Board Member Spotlight |
Gregory I. Baranivsky, CFA
Co-Chair, Employment Cmte
Greg leads First American Funds analyst relations function for the firm's retail key accounts group. In this role, he is responsible for new business development and client relationship management with broker-dealer manager research teams. Greg started work in the financial services industry in 1995, and he joined the firm in 1998. Previously, he served as head of national accounts and director of mutual fund product management for First American Funds. His other roles prior to joining the firm include working in the product management group at Van Kampen Funds.
He received a B.A. from Benedictine University and an M.B.A. from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Greg holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute. He also holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. |
|
Board of Directors Committee Updates |
Business/Financial Committee
Chair Jessica Murray would welcome new committee members.
Education Committee
Have an interest in supporting candidates or improving educational opportunities? Contact Chair Jake Seltz.
Employment Committee
Chair Kristine Mogollon has begun working on Career Day, scheduled for April 2010, and would welcome help.
Membership Committee
This active committee is enhancing our new Mentor program. Contact Chair Jay Alexander with questions.
Programs Committee
Have you noticed the number of great programs we've offered recently? We always welcome suggestions! Send them to Chair Dan Aronson.
Public Awareness Committee
Coming to a TV near you: Look out for CFA MN spots on TPT! Want to help with this and other CFA MN outreach? Chair Karen Florez will be glad to chat.
Planning Committee
Vice President Robert Buss is helping oversee execution of the 2009-10 Annual Plan. |
|
Welcome New Members! |
More than 20 new members joined CFA Minnesota in September. Welcome! |
|
Contact Information |
|
When was the last time you updated your contact information?
CFA MN has been working on a major database project, as has CFA Institute. We have been surprised at how much out-of-date information we have for our members! Please take a moment to log-in and update your membership record. Click here.
Note: Your receipt of this email does not mean your contact info is correct in the Institute database. |
Financial Funnies
|
"My investing club has been meeting for four years. So far, we've invested $500 in stocks, $100 in bonds and $3000 in coffee and cake." |
|
Recommended Reading |
|
|
Uncommon Sense:
Economic Insights, from Marriage to Terrorism
 Nobel Prize-winning economist Becker ( Human Capital) and U.S. Court of Appeals judge Posner ( How Judges Think) apply economic perspectives to a wide range of contemporary issues in these unwieldy essays culled from their jointly written blog. Social problems ranging from terrorism and pre-emptive war to Internet gambling and steroid use are subjected to analysis yielding surprising arguments; for example, they argue that drunk-driving laws penalize behavior that is not criminal (drinking) instead of the harmful outcome (accidents) and ask, Why punish the 99-plus percent of drunk driving that is harmless? The book is most compelling when addressing the legal aspects of eminent domain and pharmaceutical patents, much less so when it pans over national and global issues like ethnic profiling, where the arguments feel well-worn. Despite some valuable insights, the writing itself is ponderous and lacks the references and rigor to make it genuinely academic, but comes across as too dense for good blog writing. And even though the authors acknowledge that their audience might be unfamiliar with the economic principles they apply, their only concession is a brief overview of economics in the introduction. (Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here to for more information about this and other recomended reading available for purchase through our Amazon.com Store! Every time you shop at Amazon.com, you can support your local CFA Socity. Simply purchase through our Amazon.com portal - located on our home page and our NEW Recomended Reading page. |
| Registering for Events |
|
A note about event registration through our new website:
We are now taking advantage of the registration portal provided by CFA Institute. The new improved system includes attendance tracking, automatic application of CE credits, and an estimated savings for our society of more than $10,000 per year.
Using the system is simple. Each individual registrant must have a CFA Institute website log-in name and password. All that is required is first/last name and a valid email address. Unfortunately, at this time the new system does not allow guest registration in the same way our previous application allowed. Guests are welcome, but will need to have their own user name and password. As host, you are welcome to create this account for them. On-site registrations will be allowed as available, payable with check or by registering online on-site. |
| Networking |
|
Join the CFA Minnesota Linkedin Group! |
| Social Networking |
|
We have recently started a Facebook Group. Click here to begin networking with colleagues through this social networking utility. |
| Join Our List |
 | |
|
Greetings!
The Annual Economic Dinner of the CFA Society of Minnesota last Thursday was a great success. Our special guest, David Brooks, spoke to a crowd of more than 450 attendees. We are proud of the support we received from more than 20 sponsoring firms. If you were in attendance, please take a moment to give us your feedback by answering this brief survey. If you missed this year, mark your calendar for the last Thursday of January (01/27/2011) and plan to join us next year!
February brings a "New Office Open House" social following our regular monthly board meeting on the 18th. And mark your calendar for our next educational luncheon: On March 11th, Jim Andrews from the newly merged Towers Watson will be presenting on the issues facing defined benefit plans. It is not too early to mark your calendar for April 8th, 2010; our 2nd Annual CFA Minnesota Career & Professional Development Day will feature speakers from around the country presenting on a variety of professional development and industry-related topics.
All this, plus active committees, new members, mentor program, job opportunities and our first-ever Live Level 3 Prep Course... Your society is busy! Contact me to get involved.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Maren Amdal, Executive Director
CFA Society of Minnesota |
| FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Monthly Member Missive |
|
|
A New (Old) Era of Risk Management?
A fresh look at managing risk in equity portfolios |
|
 From Disciplined Growth Investors: Investors and investment managers often rely heavily on volatility as a measure of risk. The recent meltdown of the financial sector exposed the serious shortcomings inherent in this practice. This article discusses why volatility (and 'deviation from the benchmark') gained such popularity and the impact of its shortcomings. The authors then discuss an alternative fundamental approach to risk management.
Click here to view the e-book. |
| February Social: 02/18/10 |
|
New Office Open House Social
with CFA Minnesota Board of Directors
Come mingle and network with your CFA colleagues and see the new CFA Society of Minnesota offices! Pop up for a breif visit anytime on the 18th of February, or come between 5:00pm and 6:00pm to meet and mingle with members of your Board of Directors.
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
5:00-6:00pm
The New CFA Society of Minnesota Offices
527 Marquette Ave.
Rand Tower, Suite 1300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Cookies and soda will be provided at this informal gathering.
No need to RSVP. |
| March Educational Event: 03/11/10 |
|
Issues Facing Denied Benefit Plans
with Jim Andrews, Towers Watson
Jim will provide an overview of how retirement plans have changed over the last decade. He will discuss what is driving those changes, including the impact of the Pension Protection Act, accounting changes and demographic changes. He will also discuss employer approaches to managing pension risks.  Jim Andrews, FSA, EA
Jim is a retirement actuary in the Twin Cities office of Towers Watson. He has more than 20 years of experience working with various types of retirement plans and has assisted clients with plan design, risk management, contribution planning, forecasting, reporting and administration. Jim has worked with clients in diverse industries including utilities, health care, transportation, publishing and manufacturing. He has been a public speaker and has written articles on topics such as risk management, the Pension Protection Act, phased retirement and proposed age discrimination legislation.
Jim earned his B.A. and M.S. degrees in mathematics from Creighton University. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and an Enrolled Actuary.
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
11:30am - Registration opens
12:00am - Presentation & Lunch
Radisson Plaza Hotel
Norway Room
35 S. 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
|
|
Professional & Career Devlopment Day: 04/08/10 |
|
Save the Date!
Talk to your firm about sponsoring now!
An invaluable opportunity to network with the top financial and investment management talent, including CFA Charterholders, CFA Program candidates, and CIPM certificants in the greater Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Featuring career experts from around the country, as well as exhibitors and ample networking opportunities, this full-day conference is sure to provide you with insights and practical ideas no matter where you are on your career path.
More than 100 financial professionals will be in attendance to network, learn career development and management skills, and enhance their understanding of the investment management and financial services industry. The conference will include a full schedule of valuable break-out sessions following two topic tracks, Professional Development and Job-Seeker, as well as an etiquette lunch, style show, and plenty of time to network with colleagues and exhibitors.
This event is a professional development day, not a job fair. Dress for this event in business casual attire, and come ready to learn and network!
April 8th, 2010
8:00am-5:00pm
The Millenium Hotel
1313 Nicollet Mall, MN 55403
Is your firm interested in Sponsoring this great event? The earlier you Sponsor, the more promotional benefit!Talk to your firm about sponsoring now!
Contact Maren for information
on Sponsoring this full-day event! |
| WHAT DID I MISS?: |
November Events Summary |
|
| Annual Economic Dinner: 01/28/10 |
|
Is Washington Saving or Ruining the US Economy?
The CFA Society of MN held our Annual Economic Dinner on January 28th, at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency. Guest speaker David Brooks addressed a sold-out crowd of more than 450 members, sponsors and guests. Early survey feedback indicates attendees highly enjoyed the evening. When asked what "nuggets" they took away from the event, comments included: "David's personal observations of the many people he has interviewed." "Insight on the Obama administration and how they make decisions; The distinction between analysis and perception." and "His great respect for President Obama and his vision of how America can improve."
Thanks again to our many generous sponsors. Mark your calendars now for the last Thursday in January, 2011! If you'd like to be involved with planning next year's event, contact us today. |
| ACG MN: February Luncheon 02/16/10 |
|
 Monthly Meeting:
Featuring 2010 Emerging
Growth Winner Join ACG Minnesota for their monthly luncheon as they present the 2010 Emerging Growth Winner Peter Taunton, CEO of Snap Fitness.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Marquette Hotel - IDS Center
80 South 8th Street
Click Here for more information! |
| FPA MN: February Meeting 02/16/10 |
|
|
To Roth or Not to Roth
With Presenter Michael Kitces
FPA Minnesota is pleased to present Michael Kitces of Pinnacle Advisory Group. With the introduction of the Roth 401(k) in recent years in addition to Roth IRAs and the removal of Roth conversion income limits in 2010, planners are increasingly eager to utilize Roth retirement accounts, but do not necessarily understand all of the factors that actually determine whether a Roth decision will increase or decrease a client's wealth in the long run. In this session, planners will learn about the fundamental factors that really do, and don't, contribute to long-term wealth creation by choosing to contribute to (or convert to) a Roth retirement account instead of a pre-tax account.
Golden Valley Country Club
February 16th, 2010 Breakfast - 7:00am-10:00am
|
|
Your Open Position Here! |
|
Employer: Principal Financial Group
Location: Des Moines, IA
The Principal Financial Group is a leading global financial company offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services. We are seeking dynamic Investment Professionals for future opportunities in Des Moines, IA. Apply online at www.principal.com/careers for job #210710 to be considered. Click here to view this opportunity in more detail.
|
|
New Monthly Feature: Job Board Spotlight
Attention employers, recruiters and HR Personnell
Each day, more than 100 unique visitors review positions posted on our Job Board. To raise even greater awareness of your position posting, we're excited to offer this new monthly newsletter feature. For more information on being spotlighted, click here. |
| Live Level 3 Prep Course! |
|
|
Live Level I, II, & III classes starting January 2010!
In partnership with Stalla and The University of St. Thomas, CFA Minnesota is pleased to again provide our members with access to these live Level I and II Prep Courses. NEW for the first time Stalla is offering a live LIII class in January 2010. Classes are held on the UST Minneapolis campus and are taught by UST finance faculty. CFA Minnesota Members receive a discount off the cost of classes: $300 off The Enhanced System.
Stalla is offering a blended learning format to meximize your time and increase your chances for success.
4 live student-guided review session in addition to the Self-Study course at a discounted price.
- Watch the lectures at home & come to class with questions
- On-site problem solving in heavily tested areas
- Learn how Level 3 is different from Level 2
- Learn how to maximize your efforts with the essays
System course. $999 limited-time offer.
Comprehensive, integrated approach with total convenience and flexibility.
- Expert-led lectures on DVD
- Lecture Notes
- Study Guides
- PassMastertm software with thousands of practice questions
- Three full Practice Exams
Use Promotion Code: L3LIVESYSTEM999--You MUST CALL to take advantage of this offer 1-877-727-7232.
Live Level 3 reviews begin February 18, 2010
University of St. Thomas
Terrence Murphy Hall 350,
Minneapolis, MN
|
| Career Day Sub-Committee: |
|
|
Get involved with your society!
CFA Minnesota is gearing up for our Career and Professional Development Day to be held in April, 2010. To be involved with planning this fantastic event and to learn more about volunteering with the employment committee on their other initiatives, contact Kristine Mogollon today. |
Please take a moment to respond to this breif single-question poll.
Are you reimbursed for
CFA Educational Events?
Click here to let us know! |
Poll results from last month:
In January, we asked how many of you followed David Brooks' collumn in the NY Times. The majority of you did not read Mr. Brooks' collumn regularly, but did either read his collumn or see him on television "somewhat often".
Thank you for your feedback! |
| Annual Premeir Sponsor - MSPBJ |
|
Visit the online version of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, where you'll find the latest breaking business news, updated throughout the day, some of this week's top stories from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and other popular features from the print edition. Click Here. | |
|
|
|
