Guest Lectures (Years)

Plan today for a secure tomorrow! The Corporate Interface Team at Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted an engaging session on Retirement Planning with Mr. Kiran Jadhav, Chairman and MD of Kiran Jadhav and Associates. Mr. Jadhav emphasized the importance of early and disciplined financial planning to ensure long-term financial security. He provided actionable insights and tools to help students take charge of their financial future. The session was highly informative and inspired students to start planning their retirement journey from a young age.

Topic : From Banks to Bytes: Financial Intermediation in a Digital Landscape

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on "From Banks to Bytes: Financial Intermediation in a Digital Landscape," hosted by Dr. Sadhan Kumar Chattopadhyay. Dr. Chattopadhyay, Director of the Research Modelling Group in the Department of Supervision at the Reserve Bank of India, reflected on the transformation of financial intermediation—from the days of borrowing from Zamindars to the present, where digital payments like UPI have replaced the physical wallet. He highlighted the growing role of AI in finance, especially in enhancing customer data analysis and enabling banks to offer customized financial products. The session explored the impact of technology on banking value chains and the emergence of tech-led financial intermediation. Dr. Chattopadhyay emphasized the crucial link between agriculture and economic growth and provided key insights into India's GDP trends. He drew attention to the rise in financial fraud between 2019 and 2024, urging future professionals to remain vigilant in this dynamic landscape.

Topic: Experienced Risk Advisory, Data & AI Professional Driving Innovation in Financial Services Technological Innovation: Reconfiguring the Financial Value Chain

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on 'Technological innovation: reconfiguring the financial value chain', which was delivered by Mr. Dheeraj. Mr. Dheeraj Khatri, Director of Financial Services at Protiviti, shared an engaging and informative talk on how technology reshapes the financial value chain. He explored the transformative power of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning innovations in today's finance landscape. Drawing on real-world examples, he highlighted Morgan Stanley's move towards decentralization and gave an overview of practical tools such as iProVision and interactive voice response agents used to streamline internal audits. Beyond the technology itself, Mr. Khatri stressed the importance of digital inclusion. He encouraged students to cultivate a data-driven, tech-savvy, and creatively innovative mindset to thrive in the rapidly evolving financial industry.

Topic : PayU Uncovering Frauds in the Digital Era

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance organized a guest session with Mr. Pramod Rao, a seasoned leader in risk management at PayU. He delivered a profound session that mapped the trajectory of India's digital payment landscape from foundational systems like NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS to the revolutionary UPI. He also emphasized UPI's 2024 global expansion, showcasing its connectivity, affordability, and real-time efficiency. The session delved into the growing complexity of digital fraud, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks, enhanced digital literacy, and ethical governance. Mr. Rao also highlighted the importance of privacy and data protection, drawing attention to the evolving regulatory landscape. For aspiring professionals, he offered valuable insights into career paths in risk, compliance, and fintech, encouraging students to align their skills with the demands of a rapidly digitizing economy. His talk resonated with the ethos of ethical vigilance and strategic foresight.

Topic : Self-Discovery

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance is pleased to host a distinguished session on Self-Discovery by Mr. Anand Upadhyay, GM & Vice Principal, RBI CAB. Mr. Anand Upadhyay delivered a transformative session on self-discovery, empowering students to unlock their true potential. He emphasized the importance of self-awareness in achieving personal and professional growth, and guided students on defining their purpose and passion to create a clear direction. He also stressed the need for discipline and individual responsibility to drive success. Through insightful guidance, he shared techniques on self-discovery, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. His session inspired students to take ownership of their lives, make informed decisions, and strive for excellence. Students can now navigate their personal and professional journeys with clarity and purpose by unlocking their true potential. Mr. Upadhyay's session had a profound impact on the students.

Topic : Campus to Corporate

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Dr. Dipti Inamdar, a seasoned Soft Skill & Life Skills Trainer. Her talk, "Campus to Corporate," served as an eye-opener on navigating the transition from academia to the professional landscape. Dr. Inamdar emphasized the importance of making a strong first impression, highlighting how dressing appropriately and confidently presenting oneself can truly define one's success. She stressed that it's not merely about knowledge but how one carries oneself.

Dr. Inamdar delved into a range of non-negotiable skills in today's professional environment: effective communication, emotional intelligence, seamless teamwork, and robust problem-solving. One powerful takeaway was: "Your network equals your net worth." This simple yet profound statement underscored the importance of building meaningful connections, reminding everyone that the people they know and the relationships they cultivate can be as valuable as any financial asset.

Topic- Developing Emotional Intelligence to unlock Adversities

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on "Developing Emotional Intelligence to Unlock Adversities," delivered by Mr. Abhay Maheshwari—Management Consultant, Storyteller, and Podcaster. He emphasized the decisive role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in overcoming challenges and thriving in both personal and professional life. The session explored the five key components of EI—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—through real-life examples and relatable stories. Mr. Maheshwari highlighted how emotionally intelligent individuals handle stress, adapt to change, and build strong relationships. The session concluded by reinforcing that EI is not just a soft skill but a vital life skill for resilience, growth, and success.

Topic: Cybersecurity

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on Cybersecurity hosted by Mr. Vineeth Beri. He highlighted the evolving digital security landscape, emphasizing the importance of mobile antivirus tools and referencing major cyberattacks like the CNA Financial breach, which led to a $40 million payout. He noted that data misconfigurations remain a critical vulnerability and stressed the need to understand data holdings under regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.

Mr. Vineeth urged organizations to build cyber resilience amidst remote work, rising connectivity, AI adoption, and strict privacy laws. He addressed challenges in the BFSI sector, including navigating over 500 regulatory circulars. He described CEOs, CFOs, and CISOs as cyber warriors and called for active risk assessment. He introduced trends like autonomous SOCs, AI-led security, cyber twins, post-quantum cryptography, and zero-trust frameworks. He stressed that tools must be supported by user adoption, cyber hygiene education, and simplified systems. He also emphasized cybersecurity career essentials: technical skills, ethics, and certifications like CompTIA, CISA, and CISM.

Topic : Careers in Banking and Finance Industry

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance is pleased to host a distinguished session on Careers in Banking and Finance Industry by Mr. Bimlesh Mishra, Associate Director, UBS, CISI Trainer, who conducted an insightful session on professional growth and success strategies, offering valuable takeaways for attendees. He emphasized the importance of building professional foundations, advancing to the next level, adopting a proactive approach, and mastering effective communication.

The session provided a comprehensive understanding of the qualities and skills required to succeed in one's career. Mr. Bimlesh stressed the need to build trust, be proactive, and continuously learn to stay ahead in the professional journey. These principles are essential for excelling in any field and serve as a reminder to professionals seeking growth and success. By implementing these strategies, individuals can accelerate their career advancement and achieve their professional goals. It offered actionable advice and inspiration for attendees to enhance their professional growth.

Topic : Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability in Financial Services

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Financial Services, delivered by Mr.Ketan. In his session, Mr. Ketan Mehta, CFO of CredAble, emphasized diversity, inclusion, and sustainability in the financial services sector. He explained that a diverse and inclusive workforce fosters innovation and helps organizations design financial products that better meet the varied needs of customers.

Mr. Mehta also underscored the importance of balancing profitability with social responsibility. He encouraged financial institutions to integrate sustainable practices into their core strategies, not just as a business imperative but as a means to create positive social impact. His insights highlighted that the industry can drive growth and meaningful change by prioritizing these values.

Topic : Gender Sensitization

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance organized a guest session with Ms. Renuka Mukadam, who led a thought-provoking session on gender sensitization and workplace ethics, rooted in the principles of the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act. With her expertise as a certified POSH trainer, she provided a structured overview of workplace harassment—distinguishing between quid pro quo and hostile work environments—and emphasized the legal and moral imperatives of respectful conduct.

Her session encouraged participants to reflect on professional boundaries, inclusive behavior, and proactive reporting mechanisms, fostering a culture of safety and dignity. She reinforced that awareness and empathy are foundational to ethical workplaces by integrating real-world scenarios and interactive dialogue. This session was especially relevant for future leaders, reminding them that organizational success is inseparable from a culture of respect and accountability.

Topic : Breaking the Traditional Finance Hierarchies

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on "Cross-Cutting Skill: Breaking The Traditional Finance Hierarchies" by Mr.PanchamTaneja. The session highlighted the crucial role of soft skills in driving professional success, particularly in the BFSI sector. While technical knowledge forms the base, soft skills enhance communication, confidence, and relationship-building in the workplace.

In an engaging session, Mr. Pancham Taneja, Country Head-India at Delta Capita, emphasized the evolving nature of finance beyond its traditional boundaries. He underscored that finance is not just about numbers but fundamentally about people. Mr. Taneja highlighted the increasing demand for cross-functional expertise, where professionals must integrate financial knowledge with technology, risk management, compliance, and innovation. He encouraged curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace skills such as data analytics, fintech, and effective communication. His central message was clear: success in modern finance requires breaking down silos and expanding beyond a singular specialization. He also gave us insights on how the skills are divided into two categories, that is, soft skills (communication, integrity, passion, hard work) and hard skills (reading, balance sheet analysis, profit and loss analysis, merger and acquisition data)

Topic : Strategy and Leadership: Contemporary Trends in BFSI

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Mr. Shrikant Vaidya, the former Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation, for a captivating session on "Strategy and Leadership: Contemporary Trends in BFSI". While the title suggested a focus on Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance, the discussion surprisingly broadened, providing a high-level overview of global oil prices, energy consumption patterns, and their intricate connection to economic trends. Mr. Vaidya's insights were particularly illuminating when discussing the ripple effect of oil price fluctuations on financial markets worldwide. He also shed light on the increasing significance of nuclear energy as a sustainable solution for the future, a timely and critical topic. The session also served as a stark reminder of India's continued dependence on oil imports, a significant factor in the nation's economic landscape. Mr. Vaidya left with a memorable analogy: "Be the steam, not boiling water." This powerful metaphor encouraged them to strive for impactful, directed energy rather than chaotic, uncontrolled bursts – a perfect lesson in leadership and strategic thinking.

Topic : Soft Skill Training

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on "Soft Skill Training" by Ms. Moushmi Achari. The session highlighted the crucial role of soft skills in driving professional success, particularly in the BFSI sector. While technical knowledge forms the base, soft skills enhance communication, confidence, and relationship-building in the workplace. A key focus was interview preparation, where students received practical guidance on answering common and situational questions effectively. Ms. Achari shared valuable tips on presenting strengths clearly and confidently, aligned with job expectations.

Essential soft skills covered included verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, body language, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and presentation skills. The importance of grooming, first impressions, and maintaining online and offline professionalism was also emphasized. In conclusion, the session reinforced that soft skills are helpful not only for interviews but also for long-term career growth and success.

Topic: Leveraging Behavioral Psychology for Fraud Detection & Prevention

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted a guest session on Leveraging Behavioral Psychology for Fraud Detection & Prevention, by Mr. Sougata Pandey. Mr. Pandey, Vice President and Head at Edelweiss Life Insurance, spoke about the critical role of understanding human behavior in detecting and preventing fraud. He explained the Fraud Triangle framework—comprising pressure, opportunity, and rationalization—as the psychological basis behind fraudulent actions.

Using real-world examples from the banking and insurance sectors, he demonstrated how behavioural analytics can uncover subtle red flags, such as signs of financial stress or abrupt lifestyle changes. He discussed using AI tools like decision trees and neural networks to advance fraud detection methods.

Citing insights from the PwC Economic Crime Survey, he noted India's growing threat of procurement fraud. Mr. Pandey concluded by emphasizing the importance of awareness, ethical conduct, and proactive prevention as key strategies to mitigate fraud risk.

Topic : Role of Agentic AI in BFSI industry

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance was privileged to host Mr. Rohit Shrivastava, Vice President – Gen AI at Barclays, for an insightful session on the evolving role of Agentic AI in the BFSI industry. During the session, Mr. Shrivastava clarified the distinctions between traditional AI, generative AI, and agentic AI and elaborated on how these technologies are transforming financial institutions. He emphasized that AI is no longer just a tool, but a driving force in reshaping operations, decision-making, and customer engagement across the sector.

One of the key takeaways from the session was his impactful statement: "AI will only replace the employee who doesn't know AI." The session concluded with a strong call to action, highlighting the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and digital readiness in an increasingly AI-driven financial landscape.

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session with Mr. Dhananjai Dhasmana, Director- Middle Office, BNY, who delivered an engaging session, guiding students through the fascinating history of the BFSI sector. His insightful commentary provided context for understanding the industry's transformation. Key takeaways included understanding the sector's evolution, recognizing the impact of technological advancements and regulatory changes, and bridging theoretical knowledge with practical insights.

The session educated students about the BFSI sector's past and inspired them to think critically about its future. He empowered them to navigate the complexities of this dynamic industry, illustrating how industry shifts affect business strategies and operations. By connecting historical context to real-world applications, Mr. Dhasmana's session provided a comprehensive understanding of the BFSI sector, preparing students for future challenges and opportunities.

Topic : Creating a LinkedIn Profile

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance was privileged to host Ms. Spurti Sushil, a renowned Brand Strategist & Academician, who guided the students through the intricacies of "Creating a LinkedIn Profile". Spurti madam truly demystified the process of building a strong online professional presence. She made the crucial point that personal branding isn't just about what one projects, but "what people say about you when you're not in the room."

The session highlighted four key pillars of a strong LinkedIn presence: visibility, credibility, engagement, and the powerful "Halo Effect." Ms. Sushil also provided invaluable tips on leveraging industry keywords to enhance discoverability and propel career growth. It was a fantastic session that equipped the students with the tools to manage their professional narrative online actively.

Topic : Emotional Wellbeing

Dr. Girija Mahale's session delved into key aspects of mental health, emotional regulation, and motivation. She highlighted the importance of establishing regular sleep routines, reducing screen time, and cultivating self-awareness. The session explored the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, examined how our behaviours can shift, and introduced practical strategies for building emotional resilience in the workplace. Dr. Mahale offered insights on maintaining emotional well-being, personally and professionally.

Topic : Global payment settlement mechanisms

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance organized a guest session with Dr. Smita Santoki, an international trade and finance expert, who conducted an insightful session on global payment settlement mechanisms. She emphasized the strategic importance of financial acumen, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability in navigating cross-border transactions. The lecture covered key payment methods, including Advance Payment, Letter of Credit (LC), which is highlighted as the most secure and optimal method, Open Account, Bills of Collection, and Consignment Sales.

Dr. Santoki elaborated on how trust, geopolitical factors, and creditworthiness influence payment choices and risk exposure. Her session bridged theoretical concepts with practical applications, offering students a nuanced understanding of international business etiquette and financial strategy. This lecture aligned perfectly with ethical governance and global competence values, encouraging students to think beyond borders while maintaining integrity and precision.

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance was honoured to host Ms. Astha Arora from the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) for an insightful session on career counselling and future opportunities in the BFSI sector. With her extensive industry expertise, Ms. Arora provided practical guidance, encouraging students to think strategically about their career paths. She emphasized the importance of skills, mindset, and adaptability in thriving in the evolving financial landscape.

The session was highly engaging and motivating, sparking clarity and confidence among students. Ms. Arora's session empowered students to make informed career decisions, equipping them with the knowledge and inspiration needed to succeed in the BFSI sector. Her presence was truly enriching.

Topic : Navigating the Evolving Market of the Insurance Industry

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on "Navigating the Evolving Market of Insurance Industry," delivered by Mr. Sachin Mahajan, Founder of Mpathy Mediclaim Consultancy LLP. The session offered deep insights into the dynamic landscape of the insurance sector and the strategic shifts required to stay competitive.

Mr. Mahajan discussed how technological advancements, changing customer expectations, and regulatory developments reshape the industry. A significant focus was placed on digital transformation, highlighting the use of AI, data analytics, and blockchain in streamlining underwriting, claims processing, and enhancing customer service.

The session emphasized the shift towards efficient, tech-driven, and customer-centric insurance models. It concluded by underscoring the importance of adaptability and innovation in navigating the insurance industry's future.

Topic: Financial Market Structure

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted an online guest session on "Financial Market Structure" by Mr. Joel Pannikot. Mr. Joel Pannikot conducted a deeply engaging session on the structure of financial markets. He comprehensively overviews how various market participants, instruments, and mechanisms interact within the economic system. The session offered students valuable insights into the functioning of capital markets, price discovery, market liquidity, and the evolving role of technical analysis. It was an insightful and enriching discussion that enhanced our understanding of market dynamics and the global relevance of structured financial knowledge. It was an insightful and enriching discussion that enhanced our understanding of market dynamics and emphasized the importance of structured financial knowledge in today's interconnected economic environment.

Topic : Data Management

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Mr. Praveen Nair, Director – Group Data Management at UBS, for a highly engaging "Data Management" session for the Batch of 2025–27. The session provided a deep dive into the critical role of data in today's business environment, highlighting essential aspects such as data governance, data quality, data architecture, and data security.

Mr. Nair shared valuable insights on how data is a strategic asset, driving informed decision-making and operational efficiency in leading organizations. He emphasized the importance of building strong data management frameworks to ensure reliability and consistency across business functions.

The session was a practical eye-opener that brought classroom theories to life. It helped the students understand how data is leveraged in real-world corporate settings. The session enhanced their understanding of the strategic importance of data and inspired many to consider career paths in data analytics and data management.

Topic : Opportunities & Careers in BFSI sector & Financial Planning on 28 June 2025

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance was honoured to host Mr. Krishan Mishra, CMGR FCMI, CEO of FPSB India, for an insightful session on "Opportunities and Careers in the BFSI Sector and Financial Planning" for the Batch of 2025–27. The lecture offered a comprehensive view of the dynamic BFSI landscape, covering various career avenues in banking, insurance, investment advisory, and financial planning.

Mr. Mishra emphasized the growing demand for skilled professionals who can deliver strategic financial advice in today's fast-changing economy. He highlighted the value of globally recognized certifications like Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and shared practical tips on how students can future-proof their careers in the financial services sector. From understanding the role of technology in BFSI to identifying key skillsets employers seek, the session provided the students with real-world insights and actionable takeaways.

The session was enlightening and motivating for the students, offering clarity on career paths and the importance of continuous learning. It broadened their understanding of the sector's potential and inspired many to explore financial planning as a rewarding profession.

Topic : FinTech for Cleantech Associate
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance was pleased to host Dr. Prasanna Karhade, Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School, for a thought-provoking session on the intersection of FinTech for Cleantech, focusing on solar energy generation. Dr. Karhade addressed the socio-technical challenges of distributed energy generation, highlighting key issues such as political hurdles and the high capital expenditure (CAPEX) associated with solar adoption. He also outlined its advantages, including lower operational risk, minimal maintenance requirements, and greater flexibility in energy sourcing. The session further explored topics like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and solar financing models, along with insights into Dr. Karhade's startup, Solabrix, which integrates technology with solar distributors to enable preventive maintenance and build a Unified Energy Interface (UEI).

Topic : Bloomberg Training
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a comprehensive training session on the Bloomberg Terminal, facilitated by Ms. Yugaastha Saxena. The session began the students' learning journey with Bloomberg, introducing them to the user interface, key features, and essential navigation tools. The workshop aimed to build foundational knowledge of how Bloomberg functions as a powerful tool in the financial sector. The students explored the platform's wide range of capabilities, including data analytics, financial news, and market monitoring. The training equipped the participants with practical skills and awareness of how Bloomberg supports informed financial decision-making and industry research.

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session with Mr. Joel Pannikot from CMT India. He spoke about the Chartered Market Technician (CMT) profession, its growing significance in global financial markets, and the wide range of career opportunities it opens up for students. The session provided valuable insights into technical analysis and the importance of professional certifications in shaping a strong career in finance. Students gained valuable clarity on career opportunities and the importance of pursuing such professional credentials alongside academic learning.

Topic : Evolving dynamics of the insurance industry
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session where Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., addressed the students on the evolving dynamics of the insurance industry. In his talk, Dr. Singhel emphasized how the sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by innovation, customer-centric strategies, and sustainable business practices. He shared valuable insights on how insurance is not just about protection, but also about enabling financial resilience and contributing to economic growth. Highlighting the increasing role of technology, he discussed how digital platforms, AI, and data-driven solutions are helping insurers enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and expand financial inclusion across diverse segments of society. Dr. Singhel also touched upon the importance of trust and transparency in building long-term customer relationships. The session left students with a deeper understanding of the insurance sector’s relevance in the BFSI ecosystem and inspired them to see it as a dynamic industry with immense opportunities for innovation and impact.

Topic : Separating the wheat from the chaff: how to understand if ESG investing and reporting are for real or only for regulatory purposes
Dr. Rodricks offered valuable insights into the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in the financial world. She discussed how ESG reporting can either serve as a meaningful tool for responsible investing or, at times, merely act as a compliance requirement. The session helped students critically evaluate the authenticity of ESG disclosures, understand global best practices, and recognize the role of sustainable finance in shaping future investment decisions.

Topic : Transformative role of data analytics and artificial intelligence in the BFSI sector
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session where Mr. Deepak Chandani, CEO of Perfect and Complete Solutions Inc., delivered an insightful talk on the transformative role of data analytics and artificial intelligence in the BFSI sector. Drawing on real-life applications at Angel One, he demonstrated how data-driven strategies enhance operational efficiency, strengthen risk management, and elevate customer experiences. He emphasized that analytics is no longer just a supporting tool but a core strategic enabler of growth in financial services. The session encouraged students to view data and AI as critical drivers of innovation and competitiveness in the industry.

Topic : Contemporary Trends in ESG and Sustainable Finance in BFSI
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session where Mr. Deepak Chandani, CEO of Perfect and Complete Solutions Inc., delivered an insightful talk on the transformative role of data analytics and artificial intelligence in the BFSI sector. Drawing on real-life applications at Angel One, he demonstrated how data-driven strategies enhance operational efficiency, strengthen risk management, and elevate customer experiences. He emphasized that analytics is no longer just a supporting tool but a core strategic enabler of growth in financial services. The session encouraged students to view data and AI as critical drivers of innovation and competitiveness in the industry.

Topic : Electronic Banking Awareness and Training
Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted a guest session on “Electronic Banking Awareness and Training” by Shri Srijan Hazra, Assistant Manager, Department of Payment & Settlement. The session focused on creating awareness about electronic banking systems, secure digital transactions, and the evolving role of technology in payment and settlement mechanisms. Shri Hazra highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, safe banking practices, and the regulatory framework governing digital payments. The session provided students with practical knowledge to navigate the growing digital finance ecosystem confidently and responsibly.

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance is pleased to host a distinguished session on Employability Skills in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Dr. Prashan Karunaratne, Course Director and Senior Fellow at Macquarie Business School. This session will explore the impact of AI on employability and the skills required to excel in an evolving professional landscape.

“Strategic Role of Compliance in Enterprise Value Creation”

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of compliance has shifted from being merely a regulatory requirement to becoming a strategic tool for enterprise value creation. Companies that embrace compliance as a core element of their corporate governance framework often achieve higher sustainability, improved reputation, and long-term profitability. CA Madhuri Gothoskar, an expert in financial and regulatory compliance, delves into the strategic importance of compliance in fostering enterprise value, with a focus on risk management, transparency, and stakeholder trust.

Compliance traditionally refers to a company's adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies. However, in a broader context, it involves aligning business activities with ethical standards, industry-specific regulations, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. CA Gothoskar emphasizes that when viewed strategically, compliance becomes more than a cost center—it serves as a competitive differentiator that promotes business growth.

Compliance plays a crucial role in:

• Risk Mitigation: Proactively managing legal, financial, and operational risks by ensuring that the business conforms to applicable laws and standards.
• Building Trust: Establishing credibility with customers, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Sustained Growth: Enhancing operational efficiency by integrating compliance into business processes, which can lead to better decision-making and value creation.

The strategic role of compliance in enterprise value creation is undeniable. As CA Madhuri Gothoskar illustrates, compliance is no longer just about following the rules; it is about building trust, improving operational efficiency, mitigating risks, and fostering sustainable growth. Companies that treat compliance as a core strategic function, rather than a regulatory burden, will be well-positioned to create and sustain value over the long term. By embracing technology, enhancing risk management, and focusing on ethical business practices, enterprises can ensure that compliance is a catalyst for enduring success. This report underscores the importance of viewing compliance as a strategic lever in business, helping enterprises not only to avoid risks but also to seize opportunities for growth and value creation.

Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted an exceptional session on ‘Navigating Option Trading in a Volatile Market,’ led by Mr. Gaurav Pandey, Credit Head at NBFC. The session offered deep insights into the complexities of option trading amidst uncertain market conditions, equipping attendees with practical knowledge and strategies to navigate volatility effectively.

A budget is a spending plan based on income and expenses. In other words, it's an estimate of how much money you'll make and spend over a certain period, such as a month or year. (Or, if you're accounting for the incoming and outgoing money of everyone in your household, that's a family budget.) Similarly, the Union Budget keeps the account of the government's finances for the fiscal year from 1st April to 31st March. Union Budget is classified into Revenue Budget and Capital Budget.

The program began with our director introducing, CA Rohit J. Gyanchandani, followed by the student council representative. CA Rohit Gyanchandani delivered a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 union budget, offering insights into its structure, allocations, and implications for the country's economy. He began by explaining the concept of a budget and its design process, emphasizing its importance in managing a country's finances. Much of Gyanchandani's speech focused on the country's expenses and fund allocation. He highlighted that the largest single allocation in the budget, accounting for 24% of the total expenditure (1,162,940 crore), is dedicated to interest payments on borrowings. This substantial commitment underscores the country's considerable debt obligations and the need for prudent fiscal management. Gyanchandani then addressed the sources of government revenue. He identified Goods and Services Tax (GST) as the major contributor, supplemented by the country's net tax revenue, non-tax revenue, and capital receipts. This diversified revenue stream is crucial for funding various government initiatives and managing the fiscal deficit. The CA emphasized the importance of the country's sovereign rating, which reflects its credibility in the global financial market. This rating can significantly impact the nation's ability to attract foreign investment and secure favourable terms for international borrowings. Breaking down the budget further, Gyanchandani noted that defence receives the second-largest allocation at 622,000 crore, followed by infrastructure at 538,000 crore. Interestingly, he pointed out the absence of a specific allocation for the manufacturing sector, which could potentially impact the country's industrial growth and employment generation. Gyanchandani then delved into the changes introduced in the financial.

bill. He highlighted some positive adjustments, such as an increase in the standard deduction from 50,000 to 75,000 rupees, which would provide some relief to taxpayers. Additionally, he mentioned the reduction in the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) rate from 5% to 2% in certain key areas, potentially improving cash flow for businesses and individuals. However, Gyanchandani also pointed out several negative aspects of the financial bill. These include the removal of indexation on the transfer of capital gains, which could increase the tax burden on long-term investments. He also noted an increase in capital gains tax for equity investments, potentially impacting stock market participation and returns. The CA discussed changes in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT), with an increase from 0.0625% to 0.1% on the sale of options. This change could affect trading volumes and strategies in the derivatives market. Lastly, Gyanchandani touched upon modifications in the Short-term Capital Gains (STCG) tax slab rates for other assets, though specific details were not provided in the glimpses of his speech. In short, Gyanchandani's analysis painted a comprehensive picture of the 2024 union budget, highlighting its focus on debt management, defence, and infrastructure, while also drawing attention to potential challenges in areas such as manufacturing and capital markets. The changes in the financial bill present a mixed bag of relief measures and increased tax burdens, which could have far-reaching implications for various sectors of the economy and individual taxpayer.

In conclusion, CA Rohit Gyanchandani's analysis of the 2024 union budget reveals a complex fiscal landscape. The government's focus on debt management, defence, and infrastructure is evident, but the lack of allocation for manufacturing raises concerns. The budget's heavy reliance on borrowings, as reflected in the substantial interest payments, underscores the need for careful fiscal management. Changes in the financial bill offer some relief to taxpayers but also introduce potential challenges in capital markets and long-term investments. As India navigates its economic path forward, balancing growth initiatives with fiscal prudence will be crucial. The budget's impact on various sectors and individuals will likely shape the country's economic trajectory in the coming year

As part of 14th Foundation Day celebrations, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Mr. Kishor Pradhan, CEO of Global Trade Consultancy Services and Member of the Banking Commission, ICC. He shared key insights on global trade and the pivotal role of banks, while emphasizing the youth’s role in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

As part of the 14th Foundation Week, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Mr. Neeraj Dhawan, Managing Director of Tata Motors Finance, for an insightful session. He discussed the importance of CIBIL scores and the rising impact of fintech, enhancing students' understanding of the evolving financial landscape.

As part of its 14th Foundation Week, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Mr. Dhananjay Sinha, Managing Director at Canara Bank Securities Ltd. He shared insightful perspectives on the role of finance in personal and professional growth, emphasizing the power of financial acumen in shaping successful careers.

As part of the 14th Foundation Week, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted Mr. Rahul Jain, President and Head of Nuvama Wealth. He shared key insights on wealth management, saving and investment strategies, and India’s economic growth, enhancing students’ understanding of personal finance in a broader economic context.

As part of the 14th Foundation Day celebrations, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance was delighted to welcome Mr. Palash Manoj Kumar Shah, alumnus of the 2017–2019 batch. His inspiring address and reflections motivated students to pursue growth with resilience, reinforcing the enduring SSBF spirit.

Col. Sunil Brijkrishan led an introspective guest session on 6th August 2022, at the assembly hall of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. He is a veteran Indian Armed Forces Officer with 23 years of experience in the Indian Armed Forces and over 20 years of experience working with corporations and business management institutes. He is also a commercial trainer and coach for business administration and corporate communications.

The session was inaugurated with Ms. Trupti Bhosale felicitating Col. Sunil Brijkrishan with a token of appreciation before he proceeded to address the batch. The motive of the session was to have a conversation with the students about the pros and cons of group discussion during the interview process and how the students should face them for the upcoming summer internship season in the near future and finally in the placement gigs.

Sir shared his deep knowledge and experience for preparation, as he has been involved in a vast number of group discussions and has great insights about what the panellists are looking for in the potential candidates and also suggested some quips to ace them.

Sir talked at length about staying confident and making sure your point is heard and addressed. He stressed the importance of keeping your eyes and ears open at all times and knowing what is happening in the world around you, since the topics in group discussions could be based on anything and everything. He shared with us the different types of group discussions, what they are, and how to face each one accordingly.

He bid us farewell with a few final words about what we should incorporate into our lives and other insights from his vast encounters and exposures with various stints.

It was a very helpful and informative session for the batch, and we are eager to attend more such lively sessions in the near future.

On 16 th August,2022 the corporate interface team of symbiosis school of banking and finance organised a session on “New Trends in Insurance Industry”.The session was conducted by Mr. Rudrasish Roy. He is the Deputy General Manager at New India Assurance Ltd with 35+ Years of experience in the Insurance Industry.

Sir talked about concept of Insurance in length with illustrative examples, different types of Insurance, general Insurance, Importance of general Insurance and changing trends in Insurance sector. He also talked about the technological advancements in Insurance sector, opportunities in Insurance sector and Advanced analytics – (Internet of things, Mobile enabled insurance apps and wearables)

Sir further covered the topic of Digital Insurance and how several technologies have changed the way insurance service providers operate. He also talked about artificial Intelligence and Automation and explained how “Acko Insurance” became the market leader in the Insurance Industry. Further he talked about Insurance in Tech, Bots, Insurance Brokers and Insurance and Techno Marketing as a career option.

It was an insightful session which left the students better informed and helped them to gain knowledge of the Insurance Industry.

The Corporate Interface Team of the Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance hosted a guest lecture by Mr. Apurv Dhingra on the subject of "Pathway of success in the field of Risk Management" on Tuesday, August 16th.

Mr. Apurv Dhingra, the Vice President of Credit Suisse covered various topics of finance, highlighting risk management. He spoke about his life experiences and all the challenges he faced in the various roles that he was a part of. Additionally, he shed some light on various avenues available in the field of risk management and the roles and responsibilities that come along with it.

He spoke about frauds and how they are performed, followed by an extensive case study from the company and how the situation was managed. With some examples, he gave a brief overview of how to handle credit-related inquiries. Additionally, for the benefit of the students, he suggested various courses and certifications that ought to be done in order to excel in the field of finance and specifically risk management.

The session came to an end with a brief Q&A, where the students asked thoughtful questions, to which Sir provided clarity.

The guest speaker's interactive session helped the students get a deeper understanding of the subject.

On 17th August, 2022 the Corporate Interface Team of SSBF organized a guest lecture on the topic "Wealth Tech-The Way Forward," which was addressed by Mr. Jolly Inderbir. Sir, is currently positioned as the head of the wealth partnership distribution department at ICICI Securities Ltd. He has 20 years of cross-functional experience in wealth management, business partner management, product management, sales & distribution, technology implementation, and many more.

Mr Inderbir started off the session by talking about his journey of career which kick started with him being in the sales department. As the years passed, he switched his career from sales to being part of the portfolio management team and eventually moving to the product management team. Sir then gave us insights on various types of challenges which he faced during his professional journey.

Moving forward, Sir talked about the importance of FinTech and how the existence of the same can be beneficial to various stakeholders. He then gave us examples of some of the latest trends going on in the wealth tech field, which include Robo advisors, which is an automated wealth management advice given to the customer based on his risk appetite, which is determined by him/her answering a small questionnaire.

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, the Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance conducted an offline guest session on "Insights on Fintech and Career in Startup." Rajesh P. Nair, the founder and CEO of India's first social commerce fintech startup EarnWealth Solutions Pvt Ltd, led the session. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Mr. Nair also works as a business coach, author, mentor, and inspirational speaker. He recently published his first book titled "It's Not Over Yet, I'm Still Alive".

He shared his insights on how various types of fintech operate. He had put light on how fintech has evolved over the last few years, the developments that are taking place in the fintech industries and the career opportunities in this sector for students.

Fintech benefits include cost efficiency, high security, ease, and improved payment systems.

The speaker discussed his thoughts on companies and how students can start thinking about and working on ideas early on in order to transform them into reality and succeed in life.

The guest speaker's speech helped the students gain a deeper comprehension of the fintech industry and startups as a career.

After the presentation, there was a quick Q&A session during which the participants posed some meaningful and clarifying questions.

We appreciate the excellent session arranged by Team CIT (Corporate Interface Team) and look forward to more such sessions that will not only broaden our knowledge but will also help us to handle real-world situations.

On 24th of November ’22, SSBF invited Mr. Jamal Milhem, MBA Chairman of the Board of the Palestinian Association of CPA. Our director Dr Neha Parashar addressed Mr. Jamal with a vote of thanks.

Mr. Jamal took the session forward by describing his younger tears at SIU. He also described how ICAI is one of the best-performing charted accountant bodies in the world, with lakhs of individuals practicing in India & abroad. He also emphasized that we, the finance students, should know about IFRS to work globally.

As the session progressed, Mr. Jamal explained various sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the IFRS that it followed, resulting in improvements in education, employment, health & environment.

The session ended after some students asked Mr. Jamal about international & domestic audit rules, forensic accounting & accounting disclosures by SMEs.

The session was very informative & interesting, giving us insights into the world of IFRS.

On 1st November 2022, the Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance invited Mr. Jatinder Sidhu to the orientation program of the junior batch.

Mr. Jatinder Sidhu, Advanced Quantz & Analytical Head at TCS, gave an industry insight to the students on the topic, "Applications of Advanced Analytics across BFSI - Industry view, challenges and way forward ".

He talked about various job roles and opportunities related to Analytics in the BFSI industry. He mentioned how the job opportunities are changing with the landscape, where some jobs are going away due to automation and there are new jobs emerging due to the same effect.

He also discussed the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in finance, algo trading and strategies. He shed light on how big of a rule huge data plays in the current landscape and it is only increasing as time passes and technology keeps moving forward at a rapid intensity.

It was an insightful session for the students looking for new opportunities.

Mr. Balvir Chawla led an introspective guest session on 14th Nov 2022, at the assembly hall of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. He is the Director at Finnovators Services Pvt.Ltd.

The motive of the session was to have a conversation with the students about the Art of Wealth Management. Sir shared his deep knowledge and experience on how people struggle investing and managing their funds in active and passive investing strategies that generate stabilised returns.

Sir talked at length about how wealth management is not all about taking your business to new heights but client relationship and client confidence are also of utmost important. He also talked about Wealth management process which includes identifying financial goal and classifying it into short, medium and long term and taking appropriate investing strategies. He further talked about art of saving, investing, Wealth creation, Wealth Accumulation and Wealth Distribution.

He bid us farewell with a few final words about what we should incorporate into our lives and other insights from his vast encounters and exposures with various stints.

It was a very helpful and informative session for the batch.

On 12th November 2022, Alumni committee hosted their third week of ‘ Quantum Leap 2022’ for the junior batch, inviting two Alumni from the batch 2012-14, as well as, from batch 2010-12, as guest speakers. Mr. Sunil Kheria, Senior AVP, Credit Suisse, from batch 2012-14, being the first speaker, introduced the students to risk and data science. Initially, he started by Credit Suisse. Dwelling into the topic of discussion- Meaning, objectives and profiles of risks, differences between the risks in Indian and Foreign banks, Credit risk and its types, Market risks and its types, sources of risks and Risk indicators, were discussed. Additionally, importance of Data science and Automation and coding language were also highlighted. The session had a great ending, as it was followed by a series of questions by the audience to the guest, which in turn served as a platter of knowledge to the spectators.

The final session was graced by the presence of Mr. Shrisha Acharya, Associate VP, DCB Bank, from batch 2010-12, who was also the second speaker for the event. The topic that gave students a glimpse about, was on Treasury. He commenced his discussion with the meaning and the working of treasury, which was followed by the operations of front office, mid office and the back office, maintenance of SLR and CRR, Risk management, Trading, Investments and some of the skills required for treasury management. He also suggested certification courses that would help students with taking their steps forward towards their career-oriented goals. There was a trail of questions put forward to the guest, by the spectators, which was again an informative part of the discussion. In a nutshell, the alumni visit and their words of motivation and knowledge transfer, not only acquainted the students with knowledge, but also with a booster of confidence.

On Saturday, November 5, 2022, the SSBF's Alumni Committee hosted a guest session by our respected Alumni as a part of the Quantum Leap Initiative 2022.

Taking charge of the first session was Mr. Abhirup Mukharjee Sir is a business analyst and the vice president of Citibank at the moment. Sir has also worked with organizations like Reliance Energy Ltd. and RAGE Frameworks Inc. Here on subject of "Business Analysis in Banking as a Career Path," Sir shared his insights. He began by outlining the fundamentals of banking, its processes, and banking verticals. He discussed the characteristics of a business analyst, his roles and responsibilities, and the abilities needed for success in the banking industry. He discussed his time working for Citibank, his responsibilities, and the key lessons he discovered along the way. By sharing his ideas on the value of staying updated with skills and knowledge in a world where technology and automation are taking over, sir made the session fascinating and alive.

Mr. Jimit Gandhi, an SSBF alumnus from the 2012–2014 class, took over the second session. Sir is currently employed with Nomura and is in charge of the global markets division. Additionally, sir has experience with corporations like J.P. Morgan, Credit Suisse, and Karvy. "Corporate Exposure and Transitioning to the Corporate Life" was the theme of his conversation with us. By discussing his experiences transitioning from being a student to working and handling responsibilities at a corporate, he helped us comprehend the corporate life and exposure. The lesson gave the students a greater knowledge of the obligations they must bear and the honesty required in life to accomplish goals and develop personally.

The session was enjoyable and engaging, the students gained a greater understanding of the topic thanks to the guest speaker's interactive session.

On Saturday, December 2, 2022, the SSBF's ERC Committee hosted a guest session by Sharekhan on the subject of " Stock market and Trading".

The objective of the session was to familiarise the students about the fundamentals of the stock market, aid them to comprehend how the trading system operates, as well as the various other stock market strategies that are present, and to show them how to apply these strategies to profit significantly from the market and grow their wealth.

The speaker spoke to the students about trading in the stock market, in particular the use of technical analysis in choosing companies and what factors a beginner should consider before purchasing stocks to make high returns.

The speaker next discussed the derivative market, including futures and options, and when it is appropriate to invest in these financial instruments. the funding needed to purchase these equipment. The relevance of time decay , evaluating option price and other elements, as well as when to purchase and sell these options, were well discussed.

Overall, the session was very informative, enjoyable, and engaging, the students gained a greater understanding of the topic all thanks to the guest speaker's interactive session.

On 6th February 2021, SSBF had the privilege to have Mr. Baburam S Rajendran as a guest speaker for the session “Wholesale Banking & Products”. Mr. Rajendran is an IT Evangelist with more than 19 years of experience in Strategy Thinking, Agile and Digital Transformation, Grooming Leaders and managing complex delivery teams. He also possesses expertise in Corporate and Investment Banking solutions of Lending, Leasing, Financing, M&A, Capital Markets and HR.

The session started on a very light note with a humorous question being posed to the attendees. Everyone was required to pitch in their answer in the comments section. Sir started the discussion by discussing various types of banking and then moving on to specifically discussing investment Banking. All the various roles and functions performed by an Investment Bank including Corporate Banking, Raising Capital, Mergers & Acquisition, Advisory, Equity Research, Trading and Asset & Wealth Management were discussed in great detail.

Next, Sir threw light on topics like IPO and Book building Process. He also discussed about Research and the scope in the field of Research analysis. Further, Capital market and different types of roles in capital market and trade life cycle were discussed. Lastly, the session addressed the question “How to become an investment banker?”. Sir discussed about the preparation and the skill development required to work as an investment banker and how the field holds high prospects for finance students.

The session came to an end with a Q n A session. The students keenly asked questions and the guest seemed more than happy to quench their curiosity. Despite the weighty discussion, the liveliness of the session was maintained with a lot of interaction and valuable learnings for all to take home.

On 6th March 2021, Symbiosis School of Banking & Finance organized an informative session on ‘Investor Awareness Programme’, an initiative by UTI Mutual Fund with Mrs. Nidhi Kothari, Chartered Accountant, possessing 14 years of experience in the Banking and Finance industry. Her initial stint as a banker at ICICI bank and ABN AMRO provided her with a varied understanding of global markets and joined PGIM India Mutual Fund for an eight years long stint where she won a series of accolades and awards, including Best Relationship Manager and Best Innovative marketing pitch.

Over the years, her interactions with a wide range of channel partners have enhanced her experience of varied investment products that lead the way for wealth creation. Equipped with her work experience and aptitude she has embarked on the journey of financial training. Conducting various programs on financial literacy, she is in pursuit of being a catalyst in helping people achieve their financial goals.

Ma’am commenced the session with the three guru mantras for managing our money by enlightening the students with the fundamental part of investment journey. She explained the power of compounding in investments being rightly quoted as eighth wonder of the world by Albert Einstein and also about the various investment avenues where she laid more emphasis on mutual funds. She discussed about its significance and how risk diversification is done by mutual funds houses.

Taking the discussion forward, she highlighted various scheme related documents, funds categorization and various schemes prevalent, especially systematic investment plan (SIP) where she discussed about its process right from e-KYC to its benefits and also urged students to take a taste of it right from their young age.

In an hour-long talk, she not only enthralled and amazed everyone but also gave some wisdom nuggets to take home!

Analysis on Budget Session 2020

On 05th February 2020 students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance had the privilege of organising and hosting an analytical session on the Budget 2020 addressed by Mr. Chandrashekhar Tilak, Executive Vice President, NSDL e- Governance Infrastructure Ltd.

Mr. Chandrashekhar Tilak touched upon a few selected points in the Union Budget and discussed their impact in the careers of banking and finance professionals shortly and in the years to come. Sir said that it is not market that needs the budget but it is the budget that needs the market. Sir said that the budget is a clear recognition of what sort of a thinking the younger generation of the economy is having. People who are less than 30 years old and more than 65 years old are getting the most benefit out of this budget.

Sir enlightened that the personal income tax option in the budget 2020 when bifurcated is targeted towards the young generation. Sir discussed about LIC, IRCTC and what are the different options for consumers for tax bifurcations in simplified manner.

Sir shed light on how the budget served the purpose of ease of living with improved governance, benefits to self-help groups, MSMEs through NIS threshold for a better standard of living. Also, he pointed out that how the budget was gender neutral.

Besides these, what made the event a real learning experience was Mr. Tilak helping the students to look at the budget from a perspective never imagined. The session left the students enlightened with rich knowledge on the aspects focused on by Mr. Tilak and also gave thought-provoking insights into the Union Budget 2020, in management outlook.

On 2nd February, 2020, Mr. Chaitanya Pore, Assistant Manager at Ujjivan Small Finance Bank who is also an alumni of the college, held a very informative, enlightening and educational session for the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. This session led the students to change their views and ideologies on digital finance, rise of digital banking and enabled them to gain a wider perspective of the banking sector in particular.

He gave the students an in depth understanding of the alternative banking channels, payment gateways, corporate internet banking etc. Apart from this, he also briefly touched upon the benefits of digital savings as compared to fixed deposits, the importance of DigiBuddies and the like.

With the help of graphs, charts and pictorial representations, Mr. Chaitanya Pore attractively displayed the rise of digital customers in India and across the world, the prerequisites to adopting digital payments, the dawn of a new era of QR Codes and UPI based transactions.

Next, with extreme enthusiasm, zest and fervour, he cleared the doubts of the students and ended his session. Without a doubt, this was an informative interaction and is sure to benefit the students in their upcoming careers.

Date: 22nd July, 2020

Symbiosis Golden Lecture series, hosted by Symbiosis International Deemed University, was the brainchild of Dr. Vidya, Pro Chancellor of SIU. This lecture series aims at bringing stalwarts from various disciplines, to inspire and share their views with students, faculty members, staff and alumni of Symbiosis. The first of the Golden Lecture Series commenced with the honorable Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, chairman of the Innovation Foundation from 2000 to 2018. While his achievements are endless, below are some of the highest ones, to name a few. He was also the first Indian to win the most prestigious TWAS- Lenovo Science Prize (2018) and the first and only scientist to win the JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award (1998). Apart from this, he also was the first Indian to be elected as the Fellow of US National Academy of Inventors (2017), first Asian Scientist to win the Business Week (USA) award of “Stars of Asia” at the hands of George Bush (Sr.) and so on.

He patiently and enthusiastically shared his views on the post COVID scenario in India. In this short period where 71 million people have moved from being in the category of poor, to extremely poor, he believes that the changes taken place are rapid but not new. He sees a similarity between the current pandemic and the climate crisis the world is facing in terms of creating of an array of socio- economic impact, systemic in nature, having knockout effects propagating fast across interconnected worlds, non- stationary, non- linear and aggressive risk multipliers.

His ideology on the “make in India” initiative, revolved around the fact that products shouldn’t just be assembled in India but should be invented through innovation that could then be used by the world. He also spoke of the “buy to make better” initiative where he says that we have to look at the entire issue of who we are dependent on and how to minimize that until we become self- sufficient. The next lesson he gave to the audience, while stating examples from his own life, leaned towards a moral side- to explore and create your own doors to success. Finally, he ended by imparting one of the most valuable lessons, that there is no limit to human achievements, imagination and endurance, and thus to every achievement one must think, “the best is yet to come”.

30th July, 2020: The Golden Jubilee lecture series has been envisioned and strategized as an initiative to get thinkers, intellectuals, artists and stalwarts to share their views on a spectrum of subjects. Although the year 2020 has not been great, yet it was made memorable by connecting the students with some eminent personalities. On 30th July, the renowned poet, lyricist and screenwriter — Shri Javed Akhtar addressed the students. He put across his views on how the cinema influences the society, and how the society influences the cinema, and how they reflect each other’s aspirations and apprehensions. According to him, a movie is majorly an edited story where we put different realities together, and it has a definite beginning and a definite end. The middle part leaves the viewer wondering what is going to happen next. The hero may take many forms — sometimes of a lover, sometimes of a narcissist, sometimes of an angry young man, and sometimes of a rebel.

The session was pretty interactive, Shri Javed Akhtar took questions from the students towards the end of the lecture. It was a great initiative by Symbiosis, students should not confine their knowledge to the subjects they study in class, rather they should have a holistic knowledge and they should broaden their horizons. Such lectures by eminent personalities are going to etched in the minds of the students forever.

Date: 8th August 2020 The Session was conducted by Dr. Rameshwar Dubey on Research Methodology. Which helped the students of Batch 2019-21 and Batch 2020-22. To enhance the skill in research methodology. The session was very interactive and students interacted with the Dr. Dubey. And got the doubt cleared in the field of research.

Date: 18th August 2020The golden jubilee lecture series is organized by Symbiosis International University to bring together eminent personalities from all walks of life and ignite the young minds. Symbiosis School of banking and Finance (SSBF) is fortunate to be a part of such an esteemed platform. On 18th August 2020, the students of SSBF, along with SIU had the absolute delight and privilege to be a part of a virtual interaction with this forum’s fourth speaker- The renowned Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson Biocon Ltd. Dr Shaw was on the board of the prestigious IIM Bangalore and in many prominent Indian Companies such as Infosys. Her inspiring journey has earned her numerous awards and honors, both national and international, including India’s most prestigious Padma Shri Award in 1989 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005. The topic of discussion was “Turning crisis into opportunities.” Despite being tested Covid positive on the evening of 17th August 2020, Dr Shaw attended this webinar virtually and inspired the young minds. She showed a live example of how she turned this crisis into an opportunity overnight with determination and perseverance. She motivated the students to never be fearful, in any adverse situation. Both faculty and students applaud at her courage and determination. She insisted that this health crisis will make our country stronger. Our scientists, our engineers, our doctors, our entrepreneurs stronger. She enlightened the students about the positive outcomes of ‘aatm nirbhar bharat’ and National Digital Health mission and the need to focus the spotlight on the healthcare in the country. She gave the students glimpses of her life’s journey, where she turned every crisis into opportunities and these defining moments helped her reach where she is today. The entire audience was in awe of her. Her aura, her determination and her strong personality captured the young minds and inspired the gathering. We as SSBF students will take forward her ideologies and do our best to turn any crisis into an opportunity.

Date: 13 August 2020The Golden Jubilee cum Late Justice Y.V. Chandrachud Memorial Public Lecture was hosted on 13 August 2020, by Symbiosis Law School, Pune, a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University). The session was addressed by Honable Shri Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Laureate, Child Rights Activist as the distinguished speaker. He is an Indian human rights activist, who has been at the forefront of the global movement to end child trafficking and abuse since 1980, and also the architect of Global March Against Child Labour, the largest single civil society network for the most exploited children.

Sir commenced the session by reading out a poem, which was written by his daughter, about a toddler's attempt to wake up his dead mother from eternal sleep on a railway platform in Bihar. The covid-19 pandemic has shown us the massive migrant tragedy that unfolds across multiple states. The migrant workers have lost all hope, and they are living in fear and uncertainty. This is the sound of silence and the cry of innocence.

Sir expressed his thoughts about how the legal and judicial system can rescue the lives of the oppressed from different exploitations. Earlier, education was not a fundamental right. But after various movements across the country, the constitution was amended, and education became a fundamental right. He enlightened that when a girl picks up a pencil and begins to write, she is not only writing for her own career, she is writing the country's history, she is writing the country's future. A pencil in a poor girl's hand is much way more powerful thanan atom bomb. This can bring a worldwide change.

Sir mentioned that the most vulnerable to sexual, economic and psychological exploitation is a girl who is born in a remote village and whose father is a labourer. Until and unless the fruits of the legal system, judicial mechanism and policies reach the last person of the Indian society, then all is meaningless. This is the yardstick for development of a country. He also said that we must make sure that every child in India is free, safe and educated. We are the protectors of all those children, and it is our responsibility to make this world a better place for the disadvantaged people of the society.

The session came to an end with a Q&A session. Sir highlighted what actions the government can take during this pandemic to make life for the vulnerable a little easier. If the quest for righteousness, the quest for freedom, the quest for humanity and the pursuit of doing it is born within us, we can make change.

26th September, 2020SSBF successfully organized a Guest Lecture on Income Tax Law – Framework and its Scope on 26th September, 2020 at Symbiosis School of Business and Finance, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, Lavale. The Guest lecture saw participation from esteemed speaker Mr. Yeshwant Chavan Principal Commissioner of Income Tax Department, Pune who gave students insights into the framework and scope of Income Tax Law.

Mr. Yeshwant started the session with some basic knowledge on taxation and all the pre requisites required to grasp the intricate taxation related concepts. He talked about different types of taxes and its importance in the growth of the country. He also elucidated the major differences between direct and indirect tax. He then emphasized on the regressive nature of the indirect tax. He believes that the direct tax or income tax share has been increased and should continue to in order to improve the health of the country. He supported his line through examples of share of direct taxes in some countries.

Next, He shed light on the Income Tax Act and all the amendments it has gone through. He also highlighted the scope, various definitions and heads of income tax act and listed various relatable examples to explain various concepts related to the act.

The session was an interactive one as a result of his encouragement and openness to questions. Students were contended with the in-depth knowledge and further inclined towards the subject, which was evident with the number of questions that were asked. The lecture was really informative and enriching and made students develop an affinity towards learning about Income Tax Act and its intricacies.

26th September, 2020 On 26th September 2020, Symbiosis School of Banking & Finance organized an insightful session on ‘Artificial Intelligence & Its Influence’ on Fintech with Mr. Avelo Roy, a tech entrepreneur, 4 times TEDx speaker & TV Host, and an investor having built 8 startups and many more achievements in his wonderful journey till now. Currently he is the MD and Startup Mentor at Kolkata Ventures.

Sir being an influential youth icon with a monthly reach of over 2 lacs youths on social media, kick-started the session with his thought-provoking journey till now. As the great great-grandson of Sarojini Naidu, sir continues the legacy forward by tirelessly serving the Indian youth through entrepreneurship education using lean startup methodology and management education using principles of Bhagavad Gita and talked about the building approach and strategies of startup to nourish it further. Sir enlightened about AI with a beautiful example of baby and the power of AI enabling automated human decision making, from a business perspective.

Sir demonstrated about the machine learning, replacing the traditional learning with an impact on human intervention quoting with examples of lots of unicorn startups and other small famous fintech startup’s journey. Sir emphasized on the magic of data and nitty-gritties of automation process, touching upon the influencing power of AI on fintech. Sir also discussed case studies of elite startups and their marketing tactics involved, giving everyone fodder to think upon how the world is evolving inevitably.

In an hour-long talk, he not only enthralled and amazed everyone but also gave some wisdom nuggets to take home with Q&A session.

Date: 12th September, 202012th September, 2020: SSBF organized an interactive session on “Credit Appraisal” in which Dr. Subba GV Rao, Professor, Mysore University, discussed various credit appraisal steps at a bank.

Credit appraisal refers to assessing a particular loan application or proposal in a thorough manner in order to gauge the repayment ability of the loan applicant. A lender conducts a credit appraisal chiefly to make certain that the bank gets back the money that it lends to its customers.

Whether one applies individually or as a corporate entity, a lender always conducts a detailed and systematic credit appraisal process. The credit appraisal process before giving a loan to entities is comprehensive in nature as it appraises or evaluates management, market, technical, and financial elements.

Both banks and NBFCs utilise credit appraisal procedures before approving a personal loan application or any other loan application. Each lender will have its own techniques for performing credit appraisal processes. A lender will have certain norms, rules, and standards to assess the creditworthiness of a particular loan applicant. If a borrower has a high creditworthiness, there is a high probability that his or her loan application will be accepted by the bank. A credit appraisal is done to avoid the risk of default on loans.

The session was very informative. Dr. Subba Rao cleared many doubts related to the appraisal process, and the students found the session quite intriguing. Such value-added sessions truly benefit the students and inculcate practical learning among them.

On 21st November 2020, Symbiosis School of Banking & Finance organized an insightful industry interaction with Mr. Manish Bairagi, who has extensively worked in private and public sector transactions across multiple industries in India, Africa and UAE. Currently, he is working with SinoGulf investments based in Dubai which involves managing the entire chain of investment stages from feasibility to exits. Also he is keenly helping the organizations and investment teams on preparation of Business Models, Corporate Finance Activities, PPP Projects and deals.

Sir commenced the session by enlightening the students about the process of transformation of work profile from accounts to investing. He delved deeper into the financial intricacies and the investment philosophy. He explained the investment approaches, how it is getting impacted and the high level summary of tasks as to what happens inside an investment house or private equity companies. He also explained how leading the entire investment cycle is tedious enough and discussed the nuances pertaining to it.

Taking the discussion forward, Sir explained the feasibility and financial analysis of some companies taking real life examples of private equity investment models of India. He enlightened the students about the top-notch ground level skills required to drive a project which will help in efficient and timely decision making. Sir also discussed about why the IPO is a price discovery model and nitty-gritties about valuations. Last but not the least, he laid emphasis on the importance of financial modelling skills, DCF Models and to keep transforming and evolving.

In the two hours talk, he not only enthralled and amazed everyone but also gave some wisdom nuggets to take home by concluding with a Q&A session.

On 21st November 2020, A Panel Discussion Session was organized by the Corporate Interface Committee of SSBF. The Panel consisted of Mr. Sandipan Roy, Director & head -products at Credit Suisse, Mr. P R Dilip, Managing Director of Impetus Wealth Management, Mr. Kunjan, Executive and Investment Advisor at Moat Wealth Associates and Mr. Kashish Grover, Associate Vice President of InteQuant Advisors.

The event started with SIU and SSBF Film Screening followed by a brief introduction of the panelists. The topic for the event was Alternate Investments: Hurdles and Headways, moderated by Ms. Vibhuti who is a final year student at SSBF. Panelists discussed how investing in distressed assets and debt forms a part of alternative investment and how effective these forms of alternate investments actually are. They were able to shed some light on real estate investments taking in account the present pandemic situation. Investors often find it difficult to evaluate alternate investments since assets, and transactions involved are rare. For example: evaluating the cost of a land in rural areas, ample research, and analysis before considering alternative investments.

By the end of the event students were able to understand the demarcation between the traditional and alternative investments. Panelists were extremely knowledgeable and updated with the industry. The discussion was highly informative and undoubtedly insightful for the students.

The event ended with a Q&A session, a platform where students resolve any remaining queries regarding the topic by asking their doubts directly to a panelist.

On 20 July 2019, students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance were given a golden opportunity to attend a guest lecture by Mr. Jaimini Patel, working in UBS Solutions as a Trade Surveillance Analyst. He has also worked for Bombay Stock Exchange. He started the session with an advice for everyone that a person should never assume anything blindly. He then started explaining how important bargaining is in the stock market and what are its components and also about a few basic terminologies like trading and dividend. He asked the students what is the difference between ‘definition’ and ‘concept’ and how its usage in practical life will help the students in their career. He created awareness by touching upon the topic ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) and how it works in the capital market. He discussed the products and participants of the capital market and about the various regulatory bodies like SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and IMF (International Monetary Fund). He then told the students about the draft red herring prospectus (DRHS), Foreign Institutional Investor (FII), Domestic Institutional Investor (DII). The session got more interesting when the students were given insights regarding T+2 rolling settlement, the circuit filters, the composition of time of stock market and the difference between order and trade. Overall it was a very interactive session as his friendly personality helped the students to be comfortable and ask any doubts they had regarding the capital market.

The 14th of July saw a very informative and enlightening day for the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. The session was led by Mr. Akshay Baregar, working in the company New Vision Software. He commenced the session by first briefing the non- finance background students with the basics of banking and then proceeded on giving deeper insights on the money market, its application, and elaborating on certain essential terms such as the myth of gold reserves, IPO, equity, deposits, interest and the like. Capturing the interest of the audience didn't seem like a problem especially when he began creating awareness about Liquidity Adjustment Facility, Marginal Standing Facility, Inter- bank term loans etc. which would not only increase the student’s knowledge but also prove to be an asset in the long run. Apart from imparting technical information, he also shifted his attention towards different aspects relating to finance such as leverage, NBFC and Inter-creditor agreement. He broadened the student’s mindset when he spoke about mergers and acquisitions, major problems with today’s banks and their possible solutions and aspects of monetary policies. The fact that he is an alumnus and his informal approach made the students feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and clear their doubts. All in all, it definitely gave the students something to take back and ponder upon which hit the brief of this session.

On 13 July, Mr. Vivek Marne, AVP Investment Sales, Cushman and Wakefield, interacted with the students of SSBF on the topic 'Nuts and Bolts of Investment Banking' as part of a series of guest lectures where students interact with experts from the industry on several relevant topics. Mr. Marne structured his session around important points relating to investment banking as a function of capital creation. He spoke in depth about the areas where an investment banker works. These areas are debt, equity, stressed assets, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, joint ventures and real estate. He later shifted the discussion towards various risks associated with different businesses, principles of valuation and how to value commercial real estate. Some key aspects to be kept in mind by an investment banker are the market, regulations, financial models, sensitivity analysis and cash flows. Portraying these aspects, Mr. Marne cited examples from the transportation as well as pharmaceutical industry to illustrate how investment banking is put to use in the practical world. The session was informative and was enjoyed by all.

An informative lecture on the “Analysis of Union Budget 2019” was delivered on 11th July, 2019, by Mr. Chandrashekhar Tilak, Executive Vice President, NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Ltd. Mr. Tilak covered such inferences from the Budget, that were not covered by the mainstream media. India took a step into space business with National Space India Limited, which will be the new commercial arm of the department of space. Mr. Tilak stated that it would help indigenous technology developed by India’s space scientists, to reach other companies and nations who are working in space-tech. Next, Mr. Tilak pointed out that the government has proposed additional income tax benefit of Rs 1.5 lakh on interest on loan taken for electric vehicle purchase, which is a big boost for electronic vehicles. Focus of the government to improve sustainable mobility has been evident. Furthermore, to make tax return filing easier for taxpayers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that pre-filled ITR forms will be made available. These forms would contain the details of salary income, gains, bank interests, and tax deductions. Also, for the convenience of tax payers, PAN and Aadhaar would be made interchangeable. Those who do not have PAN, would be allowed to file Income Tax returns by simply quoting their Aadhaar number. Students and faculty were very interactive with many interesting questions for Mr. Tilak. It was a session that gave deep insights into different dimensions of the Budget, in management outlook.

On the 6th of July, students of SSBF had the chance to interact with Mr. Avinash Gorakshakar, Head of Research, Joindre Capital and an active fundamental analyst at Zee Business, CNBC and Bloomberg. Being an expert of Indian Capital Markets, Sir gave the students his esteemed insights on the topic “Equity Analysis”. The session started off with some positive thoughts from industry famous personalities, followed by the basic pillars required before getting into the study of equity analysis. The session got more interesting when students were given insights regarding the ten most interesting things to look for in an annual report study of a company, the facts required to be known about a company during the course of study, the MOAT model of study and its importance. The session mainly focused on working capital, working capital consumption, final checklist required for profit and loss account and balance sheet indicators. Sir also spoke about valuation of companies and stock, parameters for stock valuation and growth expected from the investments made. Overall, it was a very informative and interactive session which helped students gain knowledge on these topics.

The dawn of 31st August, 2019, brought along more than just a day of new opportunities. SSBF had the honor of welcoming the India Head for Equities in HDFC Securities, Mr. Vinod K Sharma. A veteran in the capital markets with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Sharma straddles the Fundamental, Derivative and Technical arenas with equal ease. He has also successfully led and managed more than 75 public issues and underwritten more than 250 offerings. Apart from this, Mr. Sharma is also a panelist on many TV Channels and is a well deserved recipient of the Best Fund Manager Award by CNBC Awaaz

He shared with the students, some of his insights on ‘why he felt India will do well in the near future?’, ‘reasons for investment in the equities market’, etc. He based his claims on dematerialization, formalization of business, impacts of GST implementations, inflation being under control, fiscal discipline and tax compliance on the rise. Amount of mortgage outstanding, number of credit card holders and private health insurance coverage were some factors which affected India’s long runway ahead.

Apart from this, he addressed the gathering on the effects of lower dependency ratio on the economic growth of the country, the penetration of mutual funds in India as compared to the global average. He touched upon some emerging areas like asset fund management, mutual fund SIP’s and India’s financial savings in shares as a percentage of GNDI.

The session then took a turn towards a questions and answer round where Mr. Sharma patiently and humbly solved the students queries. This enlightening and edifying session came to an end with him quoting “Every problem is an opportunity in disguise”.

On 17 August 2019, students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance were given a golden opportunity to attend a guest lecture by Mr. Pierrick Harant, currently associated with Texdecor. He started the session with a story wherein he highlighted the importance of politics in shaping a prosperous business environment.

He started explaining about why macroeconomic environment matters for policy makers, who are the policy makers at national level and which are the major international institutions. He then elaborated on the economic objectives pursued by the state. He discussed the five key economic values in a detailed manner. He created awareness about the monetary policy, the types of monetary policy and the tools to implement monetary policy. In the similar manner he also gave his insights about the fiscal policy. He then asked the students about the policy mix.

The session got more interesting when Mr. Pierrick Harant discussed a case study on ‘The Euro-Zero Crisis in Greece’ with the students. Important points like elements about European economic policy, the European Union and the great recession, the start, spread and consequences of crisis were covered. He also enlightened the students on how to influence EU Institutions. Overall it was a very informative session which helped the students to think out of the box and it also helped them gain some knowledge about the economic conditions of a foreign country.

On 16th August 2019, SSBF had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Javier Gonzalez, a highly respected foreign delegate who briefed the students on one of the most emerging areas in the Banking, financial services and insurance sector. He was not only confident and passionate while delivering the gathering but his authenticity and ability to connect with the audience ensured that the lecture was one not to miss!

Mr. Javier elaborated on Global Mergers and Acquisitions environment, its major volume areas, investment advisory banks, focusing on emerging markets and the same. He also sought to asking the students intriguing and challenging questions that pushed their thinking capacity. Apart from this, he enlightened the students on certain banking terminologies and their importance some of which were confidentiality agreement, exit strategies, auction process, setting acquisition price, preliminary bid letter etc. Sale and purchase agreement, investment banking conflict, buyer’s motivation and ways to increase buyer’s value were some more topics touched upon by him.

This session came to an end with the delegate bestowing on the students some useful tips on fast growing areas for career opportunities and facts regarding mergers with the help of real life examples. This was followed by a successful informal questions and answers round. This undeniably was an informative and eye-opening session and definitely increased the audience’s perspectives on mergers and acquisitions.

11th August 2019: SSBF had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Shekhar Lele, Principal Consultant, Payments and FinTech, PwC, for an interactive session on FinTech & Payments Industry. Mr. Lele gave an outlook of where technology and financial services meet in the fast growing FinTech sector. Cutting through the jargon, he gave a high-level explanation of some of the key technologies, from Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to RegTech, and peer-to-peer lending, and gave examples of how they are transforming the world of financial services.

Mr. Lele began the session by explaining the rationale behind why banks are looking towards partnering with FinTech companies. In order to remain relevant, banks must partner with FinTech Companies that can leverage the hordes of legacy data that banks have, to gain deep insights into customer behaviour and come up with offerings that are personalised and customised.

Furthermore, Mr. Lele said that there has been a massive transition from a product-centric to a service-centric perspective, thanks to FinTech. The scope of these services encompasses a broad range, from Machine Learning algorithms for credit assessment, to enabling interoperable payments for transportation pan-India- through National Common Mobility Cards; and from automation of regulatory reporting, to the use of Data Analytics to get early warning indicators for banking liquidity risk.

The session ended with an interactive Q&A session where the students asked questions about the changes needed in traditional banking system, and which sectors are offering great job opportunities in FinTech for Generation Z.

“If a man is keeping an idea to himself, and that idea is taken by stealth or trickery-I say it is stealing. But once a man has revealed his idea to others, it is no longer his alone. It belongs to the world.”

Mr. Amol Sapatnekar our guest faculty of law started his session with this thought provoking quote. It made a lot of sense to us when we were, for the first time, enlightened with the idea of how intellectual property right affects every individual’s life and how corporations try to benefit with the essence of this beautiful yet intricate quote. Creations of one’s own intellect is one’s own property but it doesn’t benefit the world until it is brought into light and into the public domain for interest of the public at large. In his brief session, Mr. Sapatnekar talked extensively on the topic of intellectual rights of individuals like writers, poets and inventors as well as that of corporations and big firms. He explained how these individuals and corporations go at length to protect their creation for their benefit. Some of rights that come under the purview of intellectual rights are: Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Designs among many others.

His session was not only limited to the explanation of these rights but he also preached the remedies that every aggrieved party has whenever someone tries to encroach upon their rights. Few frameworks which are in place, and are of international and national significance, to protect these so-called rights are: GATT, WIPO, TRIPS, PARIS CONVENTION, BERNE CONVENTION, MADRID AGREEMENT AND PROTOCOL. Later in his session he also explained the influence of intellectual property on information technology. Early development of internet included the invention of ARPANET, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), MICNET. With these developments came the problem of infiltration of technological and informational property which was done with a view to gain benefit on the expense of someone else’s creation and innovation. He gave examples of few famous cases in connection to such -infringement like that of REDIFF COMMUNICATION VS CYBERBOOTH. He also gave students the crisp understanding of IT ACT 2000 and UNICITRAL DRAFT RULES. It was a very interactive session in which he not only tackled the queries very effectively but also gave the students a better understanding of this subject.

29th September, 2019: SSBF invited Mr. Bhargav Diwanji, Associate Vice President- Analytics, Consulting and Strategy, Autoninja Automotive CRM, to have a general interaction with students.

Mr. Diwanji started by giving an overview of what is expected out of MBA graduates once they step out of B-schools. He explained the power of professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, and told how a social media profile can help employers determine if the candidate would be a good fit for company culture. So, one should avoid uploading risqué photos and inappropriate posts. He also gave us tips on how to nail a presentation.

Mr. Diwanji then told us how important Financial Planning is, and put a few questions to the students, whether it is worth buying a car or not, whether it is better to buy a house or rent one, and students came up with their own view points. He told that nowadays people are judged primarily on three things- whether the person is an engineer or a non-engineer, whether the person is from a metropolitan city or from the countryside, and whether the person is wearing branded clothing or budget friendly clothing.

He then introduced to us a mechanism called BizOps, that helps with everything from optimising day-to-day operations to carrying out high-priority initiatives to tackling the most important strategic questions.

Being an alumnus of SSBF himself, Mr. Diwanji could relate readily with the students, and the students too found this session intriguing.

“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.” - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

On 7th October 2019, the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Mitul Doshi, Director Financial Research – CRISIL, who briefed the students on how to go from doing a good to great financial research analysis.

He commenced the session by throwing some light on the essence of research analysis. The three main points were: Problem Statement/ Research Controversy, Research Process and Recommendation.

He then revealed the ingredients of a great research. According to him, great research means asking where consensus is wrong. We need to dissect the problem statement, ask what research method would be apt and ask whether the insights generated are actionable.

He enlightened the students with the lessons from his own research experiments. He said not to just focus on historical performances, to look beyond the financial model, judiciously leverage data science and analytics, to be aware of biases and to keep learning.

Then the captivating time of the session was the case study analysis. Students did a case study on the issues faced by the Sun Pharma. It really gave them an experiential learning on how to think out of the box while doing a research.

He emphasized that a good to great research starts with improving the quality of questions. He asked the students to think on what is the value that they as an analyst can add.

The session came to an end with an interactive Q&A session. All in all, it definitely gave the students something to take back and ponder upon which hit the brief of this session.

Saturday, the 5th of October saw an enriching session for the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. This session was led by Mr. Gaurav Virwani, an expert in the field of mutual funds from HDFC AMC.

He commenced the session with an intriguing query about the difference between; having money and being wealthy, but he really captured the attention and minds of the audience by talking about the Power of Compounding, Financial Planning, Inflation and the like. An insight into the world of Savings & Investments and Understanding the Asset Classes was beautifully explained by him. Stating that, “Inflation is the hidden enemy of one’s wealth” and giving a briefing about the same, Mr. Gaurav Virwani tuned the audiences’ thought process into a whole new level of thinking. Lastly, he departed the gathering with a quote that got imprinted in the minds of many, which was, “Don’t save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving”. With this, the session soon took a turn towards the Questions and Answers fragment in which he patiently resolved every young minds query that came along his way.

His in depth knowledge, familiarity and passion for the subject drove the success of this lecture. There was no doubt that it benefited every student and was sure to have a lasting effect.

On the 22 nd of September, the students of SSBF had the opportunity to be in attendance of sessions conducted by two eminent speakers from the industry. The first session, was conducted by Ms. Saryu S Sahajpal. Before getting into her current role of a trainer she has worked in human resource departments of EY and PwC. The workshop focused on our learning from organizational behavior module.

During the session she talked about Henry Fayol’s 14 principles of management and leadership. She spoke in great detail about each concept. She also used a lot of real life examples which helped the students better understand the applications of those concepts.

Apart from theoretical learning, the session also had some team building activities. They were designed specifically to assist the students get a better grasp on the subject and also put their leadership skills to test. The second session of the day was on banking, and speaker was Mr. Rahul Srivastava, Senior manager and Head ,Clearing department, Yes Bank. The speaker started off the session by talking about the security features of a cheque. He went into the nuances of each feature. He then moved on to the clearing process wherein he spoke about inward clearing, outward clearing and cash management system.

He also narrated various anecdotes from his career -which gave participants a peek into the day of a banker. While explaining everything, he kept emphasizing on the importance of ethics and how one should not compromise on values for short term gains.

Overall, it was an enlightening experience for all those who were present. The students benefited heavily from the knowledge as well as the experience of the speakers.

The sessions helped the students gain newer insights into the subject and gain a different perspective.

The impact generated by an institution may be measured not just by the sheer number of students it produces, rather, by the strength of its ties with its alumni. In pursuit of this ideology, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance gave its students an opportunity to interact with two alumni from batch of 2013, Mr. Govind Goyal and Ms. Rashmi Sharma on 15 th September, who are currently working with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The initiative was an interactive workshop conducted to make the students aware of the securities market in India.

The session began with Mr. Govind sharing with the students how he has carved his career after graduation, his initial association with Canara Bank and subsequent job with SEBI. Ms. Rashmi too shared her journey so far, which also included some years of work in retail credit banking with State Bank of India. They both briefly described their current job description at SEBI before moving on to talking about SEBI in detail.

They spoke about the existing regulatory landscape of securities markets in India. This was followed by an introduction to SEBI. SEBI was setup as an administrative body in 1988, with various acts associated.

The major role of SEBI is investor protection, which is its priority; development of securities market and regulation. They also spoke about participants in the securities market, like listed companies, stock exchange, depositories etc.; and the products offered, like equity, debt, commodities and mutual funds. Grievance redressal, which is an important function of SEBI, was explained in detail. After this, Mr. Govind and Ms. Rashmi informed the students about the recruitment exercise followed by SEBI and also notified them of the recent vacancies for which students can apply by filling a form available on SEBI’s website. Next, they described the functions and importance of the various departments that come under SEBI. This was followed by a Q&A Session where students asked questions and many important things like job profile, certifications required etc were discussed.

The session was an interactive session which made it very interesting, informative and beneficial for all the students.

On 8th September, 2018, the students of SSBF had the opportunity of interacting with Mr. Prakash Rokade, Senior Process Manager, E Clerx Service Ltd. He has an overall experience of 10 years in investment banking operations, project management, manufacturing, financial services operation, domain consulting, capacity planning, and metrics and reporting.

The lecture was divided into two parts where Mr. Rokade first began by introducing the two concepts of ‘investment banking’ and ‘mergers and acquisitions’. He began the first part by explaining mergers and acquisitions in detail. Mergers are a consolidation of companies or assets in order to achieve common goals after prior approval from the board of directors of the company and its stakeholders. Mergers can be horizontal, vertical, concentric, reverse or conglomerates. Acquisition is when the acquiring company acquires a stake in the acquired firm. The stake may be minor, major or complete. Tender offer, acquisition of assets and management acquisition are the various types of acquisitions. Mr. Rokade then went on to compare mergers with acquisitions. He further explained the difference between them by taking contemporary examples from the industry like those of KOTAK and ING, Facebook and WhatsApp, Myntra and Flipkart etc. He also discussed various strategies that are undertaken by mergers.

In the second part, Mr. Rokade discussed the role of investment banks as financial institutions that assist individuals, corporations and the government in raising capital by underwriting or acting as an agent in the issuance of securities. He spoke about the three types of roles that may be assigned to an investment banker, which are: front office, which is responsible for market research, sales and trading; middle office, responsible for risk management and internal control; and back office, which is responsible for operations. Next, Mr. Rokade described the life of an investment banker and gave insights on the kind of training required to become an efficient investment banker. The session concluded with the students asking some questions.

It was an informative and insightful talk which provided a lot of clarity and learning. The students of SSBF extend their thanks to Mr. Prakash Rokade for his time and effort.

On Saturday, i.e., 8th of September, SSBF organised a guest lecture by Mr. Shantanu Sen Sharma, Chief Mentor and Co- Founder, Ozone Education Consultancy. Ozone Education Consultancy aims to increase competence, skills and employability of students and professionals. Mr. Shantanu is a veteran from the industry, having worked with companies like HCL Group and Tech Mahindra for over 25 years. He shared about current economic challenges and its effects on the banking industry.

There were four main topics which were discussed in the session:

• Interplay of deficit, growth, inflation and fiscal deficit
• Trade wars
• Oil volatility
• Changing facets in the banking sector

All the above scenarios are a part of the VUCA world which is an acronym for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. There is an ambiguity in the inflation and growth decisions because RBI is concentrating more on inflation, unlike the government, who is concentrating more on the growth of the economy.When inflation is the main concern, oil price is the primary distress and when growth is the main concern, oil prices and the trade wars are the main threats.

Oil prices play an important role in all the economic problems because of its increasing demand. If the demand is high, the supply side has an advantage regarding the price of the particular product. OPEC countries are the main source of oil production, they tend to increase the price if the demand is high and they cut the supply to increase the price of the product.

Shifting from the oil volatility, the trade war is an important economic problem which happens because of the continuous retaliation from the trading countries which may hamper the trade between the emerging economies with the development countries.

Next, Mr. Shantanu discussed consumer dynamics covering the following points:

• Rise of millennials
• Rise of the women investor
• Silver tsunami (increasing population of the old people)
• Money distribution within and across the countries.

He mentioned that previously the banks had an inside-out approach which is product centric. The banks used to concentrate more on the product features rather than the benefits. But now they have shifted from product centric approach to outside- in approach i.e. service-centric approach. Here the banks are trying to focus on:

• Settlement assistance
• Transfer pricing
• Benefits and not features.

The new form of technology emerging in the banking sector is the omni-channel banking wherein the banker would know the details of each and every sector and could answer to all the questions put up by the customer. This can only be fulfilled if the companies provide robust training and development sessions.

Overall, it was an enlightening session and a learning experience for all.

On 1st September, 2018, the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance had an excellent opportunity of having Mr. Girish Joshi, AVP Market Data Service, Credit Suisse, for a lecture on ‘Cryptocurrency’. Mr. Joshi has an industry experience of 17 years, having worked with organizations like Credit Suisse and SunGard. His skill set includes market data business analytics, equities, futures and knowledge of regulatory compliance and financial instruments.

The lecture began with Mr. Joshi giving a brief introduction about trading in equities and derivatives while also throwing light on hedge funds and their role in speculation in the market for cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that uses cryptography as a security. While there are more than four thousand cryptocurrencies being traded currently, Bitcoin is the oldest and the most widely known cryptocurrency. Mr. Girish Joshi explained how the US failure of banks and subsequent financial crisis of 2007-08 played a role in the invention of cryptocurrency. He stressed upon its relevance and characteristics, i.e., cryptocurrency is digital, decentralized, pseudonymous, encrypted currency that is traded globally directly, without any hindrances, between individuals. He further explained the functioning of block chain, which is a public register where transactions are stored in a secure, verifiable, permanent way; and mining, which is the process by which transactions are verified and added to the block chain.

Bitcoin being the most popular cryptocurrency, Mr. Joshi took the students through some other examples of cryptocurrency, like Ethereum, XRP, Bitcoin Cash, EOS, IOTA etc , their current trading prices, last price, highest bid and liquidity in the market while also comparing them with Bitcoin itself. Further, he spoke about various exchanges like Bitforex, Binance, Huobi etc, that are working around the globe for the purpose of trading cryptocurrencies. Koinex was an exchange in India operational till 2017, after which cryptocurrency trading was banned in India. Next, he discussed cryptocurrency wallets, which are just like bank accounts and are used to store, receive and transfer digital currency between accounts or for shopping. Later, Mr. Joshi touched upon major hacking incidents that have taken place in the past in the realm of digital currency. Finally, he gave his personal views on the highly unpredictable future of block chain and cryptocurrency.

The session ended with the students asking questions that were readily addressed by Mr. Joshi. Overall, it was an interesting and enlightening session for all.

The students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance were privileged to attend a lecture by Mr. Divyesh Shah, DGM & Associate Director, Rating Head Pune, CARE Ratings, on 21 st July 2018. Also present for the lecture was Ms. Bhumika Jantwal, an alumnus of SSBF and an analyst at CARE Ratings.

CARE Ratings commenced operations in April 1993 and has established itself as the second-largest credit rating agency in India. It was listed on the BSE and NSE for the first time in 2011. Currently, it has offices in eleven locations while its headquarters are in Mumbai.

Having a skill set of company analysis, industry research, corporate ratings and credit risk analysis, Mr. Divyesh Shah gave an insight into CARE Ratings’ functions and working. He explained the rating process followed at CARE Ratings, wherein, a client submits detailed schedules and information pertaining to their organization and responds to queries to provide all necessary additional information. He went on to discuss in depth the rating framework which entails business risk analysis, management risk analysis, financial risk analysis and factors that affect these. He also explained what diversification is and related it with risk by illustrating some very relevant examples from the industry. Further, he talked about different kinds of ratings that can be given to a company, like AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, C and D, with AAA being the highest degree of safety and D having the highest risk of default. Later, he concluded by giving some insights about credit risk analysis.

Overall, it was a very insightful, interactive and motivating session.

It is always an informative session when an experienced expert comes to give a seminar to the young minds like us and it becomes more fascinating when the expert is an alumnus of the college itself.

Mr Keshav Kumar (Batch 2011-2013) came to Symbiosis school of banking and finance on 22 nd of July to share his experience about the banking sector wherein he had been working for the past five years. He started off at a very light note stating that the session would be more of an interactive session than a monologue. He mentioned that the jobs don’t match the number of people graduating every year. Banking sector is growing because of it being exposed to high grade technologies and artificial intelligence thus it is difficult for the graduates to get jobs in their interested filed.

He stated that an individual should be a polymath that is he shouldn’t concentrate on one field all his job life. Being exposed to different fields will make you more aware about the challenges and risks a market will bounce on in future.

He discussed about the future prospects for all the MBA students. The job trends and the declining rate of generation of new jobs is a concern because a lot of MBA graduates aren’t aware about the kind of information they should know to stay/ intact in the market.

He introduced us to different job perspectives offered by RBI and the other options to be targeted other than sitting in placements. Hew laid emphasis on the kind of internships that students do because that is the first experience for the students in the corporate world. He made us realize that with a lot of students graduating from MBA colleges specifically finance the job profiles of the students are looked into and thus we need to concentrate on the job profiles i.e. the portfolio in which we would like to work in. The pros and cons of working in public sector and private sector was mentioned as in which sector banks will a student be willing to start working for initial experiences.

He finally concluded by mentioning the kind of struggles he had when he was in the college and how he managed to get over those and made his way through the placements as well as his career path and made us realize that with vast facilities that we are exposed to , we should excel in the field we are working in.

Recently, the students of SSBF had the opportunity of being in attendance of a lecture delivered by Dr. Holger Seebens, a highly accomplished academician. Dr. Seebens is an award winning economist who has published various papers in multiple forums. His work on the economies of gender is highly regarded and appreciated. He was honored with the Outstanding Dissertation award by Georg-August University, Gottingen in the year 2009. The lecture was held in two sessions. The topic of the first session was ‘Finance and Growth’, while the topic of the second session was ‘Behavioral Economics’. The lecture was attended by the first as well as the second year students.

During the first session, Dr. Seebens spoke extensively of the role of financial sector in economic growth. He discussed various neo-classical theories of economics in detail. He also talked about the differing views put forth by various eminent economists regarding the role of financial sector in the growth of economy and the relevance of each of these in their own right.

In the second session, he spoke of economics as a social science where he discussed how economics helps us in decision making. He also discussed utility maximization and the factors based on which the brain processes and perceives information. He spoke in detail about the ‘Dual System Theory’, according to which behavior is determined by two parts of the brain.

Further, he explained how motivation, perception and information processing play a crucial role in behavioral economics.

Owing to his vast experience in the field, Dr. Seebens addressed all concepts in depth and successfully conveyed his views to the students. Overall, it was an informative and enlightening experience for all those who were present. Everybody got an opportunity to learn and understand things that lie beyond textbooks.

The students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance were privileged to attend a lecture by Mr. Mukesh Gupta – Principal Consultant (Business Intelligence & Corporate Performance Management), Infosys, on 20th January, 2018.

Having worked in numerous arenas across several companies, and with various certifications from some of the leading Indian and international universities to his credit, he gave an insight into the dual role of capital in managing risk and returns. He broadly classified people working in the domain of finance in two kinds- the finance experts, who have the knack of dealing with risk and returns in a business; and entrepreneurs, who are at the helm of the business. He also stressed on the need for businesses to control their costs, entice consumers by adopting appropriate pricing strategies, and minimise their inventory, by sharing a few success stories such as that of Toyota’s Just in Time (JIT) inventory management system.

He also envisioned India taking over as the second largest economy in the world and emphasised on the need for job creation, which can give a boost to the Indian exports, and resolve the pressing issue of unemployment. He persuaded the students to promote their own country by establishing their own innovative business ventures, citing examples such as Patanjali and Jio, which gave the established business a run for their money.

He concluded the session by urging the students to work on disruptive ideas, which can make the lives of the consumers easier, since the latter do not invest in the product, rather in the idea behind the product. Overall, it was a very interactive and motivating session.

The Corporate Interface Team of SSBF, organised a lecture on “Union Budget Analysis – 2018” on 5th February 2018. The speaker, Mr. Chandrashekhar Tilak – Executive Vice-President at NSDL e-governance Infrastructure Ltd, a stalwart in conducting budget sessions made the session all the more insightful.

While he spoke briefly on how India would be the first country to state publicly that it doesn’t recognize the legal status of Bitcoins, he spoke in depth on how the budget brings about contributions from various sectors. This is exactly why Sir, kept emphasizing that the password for understanding the budget is “Cluster”. An example that he gave to emphasize this was the “Ayushman Bhava Scheme” which aims to cover a population of nearly 50 Crores. The resources for this can be raised only if the health department collaborates with the other departments such as Technology and Finance. The discussions on Operation Green and the provisions on Long Term Capital Gains were also very interesting.

Overall, it was a very informative session and the students understood the implications of the Union Budget 2018 better.

On 05th January, 2017 we had the opportunity of interacting with Mr. Sanjeev Nanavati, Ma on the topic of changing dynamics of Banking in India and all over the world and importance of entrepreneurship in the banking sector. The students had a great opportunity of interacting with an expert on this topic.

He began the session by discussing about the current scenario in the banking industry He then spoke about ‘Fintech’ a new arena in the banking industry. He also explained about the current trends in the banking industry with specific examples of increasing capital cost of banks, SME’s being the maximum margin area for banks, wallet sharing, etc.

The session ended with the Q&A round, where students were able to clarify a lot of their doubts and misconceptions about the current scenario and trends in the banking industry. Overall, the session was very enriching for all of us and we all learned a lot from him.

On 10th January 2017, we had the privilege of attending a guest lecture by Dr. Sandra Mortal on the topic of “Market Efficiency and Mergers & Acquisitions”. Dr. Mortal is an Associate Professor, Dept. of Finance, Fogelman College of Business & Economics, University of Memphis. She has also been associated with SEC in the past and her areas of interest include Market Microstructure & Corporate Finance.

She began the lecture by explaining the concept of ‘Efficient Market Hypothesis’ & ‘Random Walk Theory’. Dr. Mortal went on to explain the ‘Random Walk Theory’; ensuring the lucid understanding of the underlying concept by involving everyone in the construction on an Excel worksheet by taking historical prices. She further went on to explain the different factors that affect market efficiency, various forms of Efficient Markets like Weak, Semi-strong and Strong Markets. Then she spoke about mergers or acquisitions and how the stock prices of both the target company & acquiring company behave upon such an announcement and how efficient market theory is linked to it. Finally, she put forth the various arguments that support as well as reject the Efficient Market Hypothesis and also discussed the veracity of whether markets can be 100 percent efficient or not.

It was an extremely enriching experience for the participants and helped us all to understand very important aspect of markets which were superbly explained in very simple terms by Dr. Sandra Mortal.

On 21st January 2017, we had the privilege of attending a guest lecture by Mr Sujit Honrao, Manager of Finance and head of Financial Planning & Analysis – BMC Software, India. Mr Honrao is a Chartered Account (CA) by profession and has extensive experience in the software & IT industry.

The agenda of the lecture was to discuss the budgets of the IT companies and its preparation using software like Hyperion, Tableau, etc. He talked about self-motivation and shared his personal experiences in the corporate sector.

He began the lecture by talking about his journey to becoming a CA whilst working for a software firm and handling the work pressure and studies at the same time. He also talked about how self-motivation is important and how it helps one achieve her/his goals. Then, he went on to explain the corporate culture and how one should handle the diversity of people coming across. All inclusive, it was a stimulating experience for us.

The students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance were privileged to attend a lecture by Mr. Gautam Puntambekar - Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch on 26th December 2017. The lecture was centered around “The Homeland Investment Act - Effect of Currencies and Issues to APAC” and “Financing alternatives in APAC”

Having managed large multinational corporations and NBFI relationships across APAC, Mr. Puntambekar gave a gist of the Act in very simple words. According to him, the Act covers all those situations where the money of the US multinationals is brought back into the country. He also stressed on the fact that the Act will be successful only if the countries are able to bring back their currencies which in turn would be possible only if they are freely convertible. He then discussed in detail about the Chinese economy with special focus on the possibility of China becoming a superpower.

Lastly, he closed the discussion by motivating the students to develop special skill sets. The world is a competitive place and it is these skill sets that will differentiate between people. One should always be open to ideas and money shouldn't be the driving force. At the end of the day, the successful people are those who are passionate about their work.

Overall it was a very insightful and motivating session.

On 16 th December, 2017, The Entrepreneurship-Cell started its ‘E-Series’ at the Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. A guest lecture was hence organized wherein the guest for the event was Mr. Sunil Shirole, Managing Director and CEO, Yen Capital Advisors Pvt. Ltd.

With a focus on understanding Entrepreneurship mindset, Mr. Shirole shared with the students his journey of being an entrepreneur. Form leaving a highly paid job and to purchasing a dream home on the famous Marin Drive of Mumbai, Mr. Shirole said that he had failed many times and it is this failure that made him better. He emphasized that ‘failures are your teachers’ and that one must be ready to ride the roller coaster journey on the way to success when it comes to being an entrepreneur. He explained how an entrepreneur needs to be highly positive, highly motivated and above all that he needs to be a better leader. Taking people along on the journey is the key requirement of being an entrepreneur. “If you are satisfied with what you have, you will stay where you are.” Mr. Shirole said that an entrepreneur also needs to be hungry for knowledge and success, without which it is impossible to grow.

Talking about the traits of being an entrepreneur, Mr. Shirole asked the students whether an entrepreneur is born or is it a cultural upbringing that shapes someone to be an entrepreneur. Emphasizing the facts that education, cultural environment and family background can play a major role in being an entrepreneur, personality traits are something that a person is born with and that these traits cannot be taught or changed. The personality of the person has to be such that he should be hungry for more and be his own boss. Proper execution and timing of events are as important as any breakthrough idea. He added that timing can make or break things and that one must know when to start a business and when to exit.

Lastly, Mr. Shirole opened the platform to the students for Q&A session where students came up with their queries and got good insights and guidance from him. On a closing note he said that not all students can be entrepreneurs, but one must look inside to see whether one has the hunger to be one. In the end, he advised the students to “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”.

On 18th November, 2017, the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance got the opportunity to meet and interact with Mr. Veerain Kaul, an alumnus of the college, currently working with ICICI Lombard. During the course of this interaction with the students, he explained different types of insurances and also talked about various misconceptions regarding insurance.

Mr. Veerain talked about the history of insurance and reinsurance as well. He also had a very frank conversation with the students about insurance fraud and misuse of insurance and gave real life examples that he himself had witnessed.

Mr. Veerain also advised the students about which departments and companies that he thought the students ought to join depending upon where they might find more learning opportunities and challenging situations that would help them to grow in their career.

We would like to thank Mr. Veerain for taking time out of his busy schedule and coming to interact with us and for providing us with guidance from his vast array of knowledge.

A lecture on “The Various Investment Avenues” was organized for the students of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance on 10th November 2017. The speaker Mr. Ramprasad Murthy who has an experience of over thirty years threw some light on the same and also busted many myths relating to investing.

The speaker started on an energetic note and asked the students where they would put their money. Throughout the interactive session, he gave the pros and cons of Fixed Deposits, Insurance, Bonds, Equity and Mutual Funds. He emphasized on how important it is to not put all the eggs in the same basket. He also touched upon the difference between interest and risk. The two major takeaways of the session were, one, no investment is without risk. Which is why it is necessary, to have Vitamin P i.e. Patience and Vitamin D i.e. Discipline. Two, while investing, the formula to be applied is KISS – Keep It Simple Silly.

Overall, the session was very interesting. The students were privileged to have attended a very informative session.

The students of SSBF were privileged to attend a guest lecture by Mr. Rohit Kalghatgi, Assistant Vice President – SG Analytics on 4 th November 2017. The lecture, gave the students a brief idea about the requirements and profile of a Research Analyst. There is always more to this profile than what meets the eye.

According to Sir, a Research Analyst does an analysis on diverse topics. It could range from “analyzing the consumption of a particular good in a specific country” to “providing holistic consulting to understand customer problems”. Mr. Rohit Kalghatgi, also touched upon the importance of being aware about the economy. One must know not just about the happenings of the country’s economy but also the world as a whole. This is because, a person, as a Research Analyst, has to deal with clients from various fields.

He closed the discussion by urging the students to always take the first step. One can be successful and grow, only if he or she takes initiatives on their own. Overall, it was a very insightful session.

Inflation is something that eats away the value of money over time. And to protect the value of money, one must invest. Of course, investment is not just an ordinary day to day task, but one which requires the understanding of the factors and principals governing the type of investment.

30th October, 17, the Corporate Interface Team organized a session of Mutual Funds with Mr. Prateek Tiwari, Assistant Vice-President, Sales and Cluster Head, HDFC AMC as the guest speaker. With a profound experience of 20 years in corporate sector, Mr. Prateek Tiwari shared with the students the types of assets and wealth management concepts. Assets are of four types viz., Real Estate, Equity (& Commodity), Gold and Bonds. While real estate requires huge initial investments to begin with, they also have the disadvantage of least liquidity as compared to other assets. Gold in turn offers no utility to the average person and hence is a stagnant source of investment. Bonds are the safest means to invest money in return of a fixed rate of interest. However, Equity (& Commodity) market are one such means where the amount of returns depends on the underlying asset. Investment in shares, preference shares, convertible shares, commodities are the financial instruments of the Share Market.

What do Indian people do with their money? Well as per the figures of 2015-16, the following pie chart describes the average investment pattern of most Indian people.

Equity are safe to invest and generate money, of course, one must understand their behavior before taking the plunge.

To add context to the subject matter, Mr. Prateek Tiwari cited various examples for the financial world to give a better understanding to the students. Sir discussed about how the sub-prime crises took shape, and how the American Economy helped Warren Buffet become the world’s richest investor with the help of Equity market.

With the world moving towards fast paced growth and entrepreneurs coming up with market disruption ideas, Sir elaborated on how new theories of economics is shaping the world. Mental accounting and Nudge theory are the driving concepts of companies such as Visa and Master Card. Uber is based on Share Economy and WhatsApp earns profits on the need of people to share instantly. The world is witnessing the 4th Industrial Revolution of Internet of Things. The technology driving major companies to change the way they work and make money.

In such a fast paced world of rapidly changing forces driving the money, it is important to ensure that the common man is not left behind to protect himself against the fluctuating nature of money. While inflation eats away a value of money each year, there’s little a man can do to ensure financial stability. One such way of doing so is to invest in Equity and its derivatives (commodities, debentures, shares, etc..)

With Q&A session giving the students an opportunity to clear any doubts, the students felt contended and privileged by the presence of Mr. Prateek Tiwari. The knowledge shared by the speaker will surely help students gain a better understanding of the nature of Equity and its derivatives.

Many people know what corporate governance is but few really understand what “good corporate governance” is, and how it is essential for the growth and prosperity of an organisation. To address this, our Corporate Interface Team had scheduled a guest lecture on corporate governance, more specifically, the Sarbanes-Oxley act.

On September 21st 2017, the students of SSBF had the honour of interacting with Dr. Mita Mehta, faculty in charge of Academics and Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, who has done her doctorate in Corporate Governance in Indian Corporate Sector. She has various international and national publications in reputed magazines, journals and refereed books related to the area of Business Ethics and HR. She has also authored a book on “Corporate Governance in India”.

The session began with Dr. Mehta briefly giving an introduction about corporate governance and its relevance, prerequisites and objectives while also throwing light on scams that had happened in India as well as abroad.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was passed by the United States Congress as a way to protect investors from the risks of fraudulent accounting conducted by corporations. This act put strict reforms into place to improve financial disclosures and prevent fraudulent accounting practices. There are also regulations within the act that apply to privately held companies, such as the wilful destruction of evidence to interfere with Federal Investigations. The need for this Act arose after one too many large-scale corporate accounting scandals such as Arthur Andersen, Enron and WorldCom. She also discussed the various titles under the act such as Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, Auditor Independence, Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability etc.

The session was extremely informative for all the students and ended with Dr. Mehta answering various questions from the audience. The students were very thankful that Dr. Mehta took some time out of her busy schedule and enlightened them with her knowledge.

It is important to know what business the company is doing. The overall performance of the sector, the implications of government regulations, the market history of the sector and the company on watch are as equal a parameter to understand as the financial statements of the company.

On 16th September, 2017, Corporate Interface Team of SSBF organized a session of Financial Statement Analysis with Guest Speaker Mr. Kalpesh Jain to shed some light on the same. A member of ICAI and E&Y Global with a diverse experience of 19 years in audit and assurance services, mergers and acquisitions, Mr. Jain began the session by focusing on the importance of sound understanding of financial statements viz. the sources of financial information.

He started by explaining each line item in the financial statements and explained its various implications. He supplemented it with live examples which enabled the students to understand it better. The session ended on a very energetic note with an interactive session where the students got all their doubts clarified.

Overall, it was a very enriching and an interesting session which the students enjoyed.

“Live with dignity, Live like a king”

“It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step”. These are the words of Lakshya foundation and students of SSBF, SITM, SSP had honour of attending a guest lecture by the founder herself, Mrs.Anuradha Prabhudesai. The lecture started at 10:00 am with the director of SSBF Dr. Manisha Ketkar felicitating the speaker. Among the others present were (director of SITM) and (deputy director, SSP)

The lecture that was held as a part of the 71st Independence Day celebrations, gave the students an insight on the life of our soldiers at the borders, about how fearlessly they look at death and protect us. She spoke about many soldiers, their contribution in the Kargil war and how we can take their examples and live life with dignity, determination, discipline and dedication. She also shared her experience when she was caught in the middle of a firing and how she know that the young solider would not let anything happen to her. She encouraged the youth learn from those who laid down their lives for us. Lastly, she narrated an incident about a young boy who eventually grew up to be a soldier. So touching was the story, that everyone was chocked with emotions by the end of it.

The intense and inspiring session resulted in the students respecting the soldiers even more than before.

JAI HIND!

The Corporate Interface Team had organized a lecture on 26 th August 27, 2017 on Insurance for the MBA students. The speaker, Prof. Garde, a Qualified Insurance Broker with a Fellowship in Insurance spoke about the dynamic nature of the Insurance Industry in India. He also gave the students some insight on the trends and the scope of the insurance sector.

Having an experience of almost 39 years, he highlighted the ways in which the sector has evolved, especially with the advent of technology. The students got an idea of how, “Insurance is hot and happening” and also got to know about how the six sub-sectors within the Insurance Industry namely Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Non-Life Insurance, Risk Management, Re-insurance, Actuarial Science is developing. He clarified all the doubts of the students with very humorous and spontaneous examples.

By the end of the session, the First Year MBA(Banking and Finance) students had a better understanding of the sector and understood what the experts meant when they said that the insurance business will grow exponentially in the forthcoming years.

On July 1st, 2017, the much awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) had been implemented. Even though, it was one of the most trending topics in the news at the time, there were a lot of people who were conceptually not clear about GST. To address this, our Corporate Interface Team had invited Mr. SS Nathan, Professor and tax consultant (Indirect tax, foreign trade & corporate law) to speak to our students and give an overview on the same.

The session began with Mr. Nathan briefly giving an introduction about GST and also throwing light on how the taxation system had worked before GST was introduced. After that, Sir began his extensively informative presentation and explained how GST was going to subsume 17-18 different taxes into a single one. He also helped us understand the different components of GST, that are SGST (State Goods and Services Tax), CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) and IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) and how heavy documentation and its cost will be saved by registering on the online portal. The basic technical and legal details like the ratio in which the taxes will be collected by the state and central government, anti-profiteering provision, composition scheme, GST compliance rating and reverse and forward charge mechanism were also discussed. Sir also briefly talked about how on the banking sector 18% GST would be applicable and state wise registration of the bank branches will be required. Lastly, sir told us about the problems that the government will have to face while introducing GST and that India is a large country due to which it’ll be extremely difficult to get everyone on the same page regarding the biggest tax reform to have happened since the independence.

The session was extremely informative for all the students and we are very thankful that Mr. SS Nathan could take some time out and enlighten us with his vast array of knowledge.

On 7th July, 2017, the students of Symbiosis School Of Banking and Finance had an excellent opportunity of having two eminent personnel from Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC). Mr. Vivek Iyer is a partner in Financial Services Risk Advisory at PwC whose domain is risk and controls space in the financial sector. The other dignitary of the event was Mr. Shiva Iyer, Director of Financial Services Risk Assurances at PwC whose expertise encompasses around MiFid 2, IFRS, Basel 3, prudential requirements in the financial sector and many other such fields.

The discussion took the first step by a brief introduction about the background of PwC by Mr. Vivek Iyer. He touched upon various intricacies regarding the emergence of IFRS 9 and implementation of BASEL 4 in the world economy. He briefly introduced the concept of Global Liquidity Risk Requirement which is gaining prominence day by day. The wheel of discussion was then steered by Mr. Shiva Iyer who elucidated the divergent situation of the market in London and that of in India. Furthermore, the organizational structure and the various profile of the experts in the risk management team of PwC was shown to the students.

One of the most important takeaways of the session was about “the constant urge to know more”. In the BFSI sector where trends are ephemeral, it is of utmost importance to keep oneself abreast of the surroundings continuously. The students indeed had an enlightening session and they are looking forward to many more such events in the future.

On June 22, 2017, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance got the opportunity to interact with Mr. Hardik Mehta, All India Rank One in RBI Grade B Exam, 2016 and Alumni of SSBF Batch 2011-13.

The session commenced with Hardik sir discussing about the RBI Grade B Exam pattern, further comparing it with SBI Bank PO Exam. This discussion began with segregation of the exam sections, their respective question patterns and cut offs. After this, he explained how he aced this exam and secured an All India Rank One. He elucidated the exact strategy that he had followed during the examination (which included the number of questions of a section and time given to them) and gave insights of his interview after he had cleared the written examination. His preparation for the exam included reading Economic Times every day, conceptual clarity and taking one mock test daily (two-three on weekends). This, he mentioned, helped him to work on his mistakes and plan a better strategy for the main exam. He believes that one should not stick to a particular job profile, hence, while preparing for placements she/he should take such exams, in order to expand the domain for getting a good job. Eventually, the session took an interactive form, leading to discussions on various topics like internships in RBI, job profile in the finance industry, individuals with work experience versus freshers, recent acquisition of banks by SBI, NPA and banks, Payment banks’ current scenario and future expectations in BFSI industry, financial inclusion objective and current state, farmers’ loan waiver move, oil prices, Basel norms, GST and Demonetization, its objectives and its consequences.

Sir’s words of wisdom included importance of discipline, setting priorities, perseverance, having patience and being sincere. These are a must if one wants to succeed especially in competitive exams. He also stressed on the fact that students should focus more on knowledge addition rather than income package because knowledge will stay with us even when money won’t. “We should work what we like and like what we work”, this, according to him is how we can crystallize our learning and use it to the benefit of not only one individual but the whole mankind.

The session was informative as well as motivating for all of us. On the whole, it was an extremely informative experience. The students of SSBF extend their sincere gratitude to Mr. Hardik Mehta for sparing his precious hours and enlightening us.

We the students at SSBF had the privilege to interact with Mr. Prateek Tiwari, Assistant Vice-President & Cluster Head at HDFC AMC regarding “Financial Market and Economy”. He started off with discussing the GDP growth and its factors and interestingly drew our attention towards how India’s economy is consumer driven and not investment driven. He then educated the class regarding the different Asset Classes and its importance for Wealth generation.

He cautioned us about the disruption that is coming up in various fields due to technology advancement and supported his point with examples of Robotics in banking and Tesla’s latest launch. He also explicated the opportunities available in the future.

He concluded the session by motivating us to keep updating ourselves with the changes in the field of Finance and Economics and introduced the concept of “Mental Accounting”.

On 16th November, 2016 the 2016-18 batch of Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance had an opportunity to interact with Professor Kevin Jameson – Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Macquarie University, along with Professor Philomena Leung - Associate Dean, Ms. Deidre Anderson -Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) and Registrar, Ms. Zarana Shah (Country Manager, India) and Mr. Abizer Merchant - Director (South Asia & The Middle East).

Prof. Jameson started the day’s session by speaking on “Future of the Finance Industry - 10 tips for aspiring finance professionals”. He began by introducing the group to the current picture of the finance industry covering the opportunities available as professionals of the Banking Financial Services and Insurance sector and possible future scenarios. He laid stress on describing the evolution of the BFSI industry over time, to what it is today and what it is expected to be in the future. The session gave the young, bright minds the much needed clarity. Mr. Jameson threw light on how, as young professionals of tomorrow, to be well equipped to deal with the changes in the time to come. He also spoke about how technology has evolved to be of vital support in this promising sector and how it will keep evolving. The interaction concluded with a discussion session giving students the opportunity to speak with the guest lecturer for further clarity. The guests also shed some light on the opportunities available at Macquarie University and in different universities across different countries as exchange students and as full time students.

The knowledge shared on and briefing of the domestic and global financial industry left the students motivated and enlightened with a deeper insight on the varies roles and careers that await for them in the months to come.

The 2016-17 academic year started off on a bright note with the young future bankers from SSBF having the privilege to be addressed by a very distinguished lady, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, who has served as the Vice president at J P Morgan and the Director at BNP Paribas, who presently is an active volunteer with Indian Association of Investment Professionals, CFA India Society to promote the highest standards of ethics, and professional excellence in the Investment Industry, represent the society on CFA Institute's global 'Society Brand Council. The topic for discussion was “Ethics in Investment Management/ Financial Markets”.

The talk opened with the concept of good judgement by taking us through a brief history of the various crises and bubbles of the financial system such as the Tulip Speculation of 1633, the Railroad Boom of 1860 and Panic of 1873 and the Bull Market run-up of 1920.

She further drew on scandals involving VW, Mitsubishi and Suzuki which have rocked the automobile industry of late; emphasizing the need to be ethically conscious and vigilant. Various issues common to the financial crises were pointed out, especially the convenient tendency of suiting the condition of borderline legality. Quite truly, she pointed out how we seldom ask the question of whether an action is unethical as long as the action it is not illegal.

Ms. Gandhi proceeded next to the fundamental ethical principles. With the detailed example of the very prominent case of ‘Insider Trading’ perpetrated by Rajat Gupta at Goldman Sachs, she highlighted the need for enhanced ethical mindfulness and the importance of reasonable care and prudent judgement in our lives. She next spoke of Situational v/s Dispositional Influences with reference to the stirring examples of young and ambitious investment banking professionals Tom Hayes and Kweku Adoboli who had tried to work the system and ended up being on the wrong side of the law. She emphasized on the fiduciary duty to work for the benefit of the clients; warning us at the same time to perceive change correctly and to manage conflict of interest in the minefield of our professional lives and careers and full and fair disclosure should be the order of the day. Being in the BFSI sector, one should bear in mind the principles of confidentiality and due diligence.

It was a very insightful and inspiring talk by Ms. Gandhi which had the whole audience captivated. The interaction helped many to do soul searching and is sure to leave a positive and long standing impact on the minds and judgements of the students. The student fraternity of SSBF is highly gratified by the experience and whole heartedly thanks Ms. Gandhi for her time and effort.