Student Investment Fund
Combine finance theory with hands-on investment experience through the Student Investment Fund (SIF). The SIF is located within our own investment boardroom, fitted with five comprehensive Bloomberg Professional terminals. This will provide you with professional, relevant investment experience within an academic setting.
Once you complete the program, worth six credit hours, you will also be ready to challenge the Level 1 exam for the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation.
One of the largest student investment funds in Canada
The SIF launched in 1998 with $1 million and has grown to over $13 million. Students engage with a professional portfolio manager and drive investment decisions based on their ongoing research and analysis of the markets. Our students were the first and only Canadian team to win first place in the CFA Institute North American Research Challenge.
Partnerships
The SIF operates in close partnership with a number of industry experts and firms, most notably Vestcor Investment Management Corporation, which started the program off with a $1 million pension fund allocation, and Seamark Asset Management Ltd., which manages a portion of UNB’s endowment fund. Students are assigned equity sectors and companies, and are expected to produced research and portfolio recommendations for these funds. Continuous engagement with the Portfolio Manager is a highlight of the course.
We are also part of Chartered Financial Analyst Institute (CFA® University Affiliation Program) because we have included a significant portion of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK)—including the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct—into our curricula.
SIF guest speakers
Our SIF class features regular guest speakers from the finance industry who share investment experience and advice with students. They also connect students with other leaders in the industry.
Recent speakers include:
- Kevin Thomas, CEO of SHARE
- Heather Hurshman, CFA, VP and Portfolio Manager at Louisbourg Investments
- Terri Cugno, CFA, VP, Institutional Portfolio Manager at Phillips, Hager & North
- James Scott, CFA, VP Fixed Income at Vestcor
SIF alumni
Many of our SIF graduates enjoy successful careers with investment firms and banks across Canada. Here are a few:
- Colin Ryan: managing director at National Bank Financial, former director at Credit Suisse
- Feiber Omana: vice-president, corporate development & capital markets at Shaw Communications, former VP at Goldman Sachs
- Ken Fox: Senior Manager, Corporate Finance with Virgin Money UK PLC
- Brian Bagnell: Commoditites Analyst at Macquarie Group (who is currently Executive in Residence for the SIF)
- Meghan Chayka: co-founder of Stathletes
- Soo Boo Cheah: portfolio manager, RBC Funds – RBC Global Bond Fund
- Sean Mcnulty: principal at XIB Consulting
Entry requirements
Being accepted into the SIF program will ensure you get one of the best opportunities to enter the financial market. It will also be a demanding six-credit-hour course, requiring more work than a standard six credit hours.
Who can apply
- Fourth-year BBA students
- Second-year MBA students
Prerequisites for undergraduate students
- Econ 1013/1023 (Micro/Macro Economics)
- ADM 3415 Corporate Finance
- ADM 1213/2223 Accounting
- ADM 2623/2624 Business Stats/Mgmt Science
- ADM 4425 Investments
Prerequisites for MBA students
- MBA 6203 Accounting for Managers
- MBA 6403 Financial Management
- MBA 6603 Business Data Analysis
- MBA 6425 Investments
SIF application process
Step 1: Application: Pick up an application form at the Centre for Financial Studies (Singer Hall Room 352). You’ll need your resume and transcripts, showing a minimum GPA of 3.4.
Step 2: Interview: If you are successful in step 1, you will be contacted for an interview.
Step 3: Exam: Based on CFA material, this exam is used for ranking purposes and to determine your readiness for the CFA Level 1 exam.
The application deadline is March 1. Late applications may be considered.
