CAPE Financial Services Studies Syllabus 2026

Define key terms related to financial services, including onshore/offshore centers, financial markets, intermediaries, e-commerce, cryptocurrency, and blockchain.

Compare and contrast onshore and offshore financial institutions, identifying their similarities and differences.

Discuss the global and Caribbean history of offshore banking, including specific regional and international examples.

Describe typical transactions in offshore financial institutions, such as Eurocurrency loans, underwriting, wealth management, and asset transformation.

Explore diverse career paths available within the financial services industry, including roles like analysts, actuaries, brokers, and wealth advisors.

Assess the advantages of offshore banking, focusing on capital allocation, liquidity intermediation, and economic contributions.

Discuss the importance of financial markets and intermediation for economic growth, covering reduced transaction costs, asymmetric information, and asset transformation.

Distinguish between various securities traded in financial markets, including money market, debt, and capital market instruments.

Describe the organizational structure of financial markets, including money, debt, equity, primary, secondary, and over-the-counter markets.

Identify and describe different categories of financial institutions, such as depository, contractual savings, and investment intermediaries.

Explain the various meanings and essential functions of money, its evolution, and how it is measured using monetary aggregates.

Explain the factors that influence the demand for assets based on the theory of portfolio choice, including wealth, expected return, risk, and liquidity.

Explain how interest rates are determined using demand and supply analysis, including the risk and term structure of interest rates and theories explaining the yield curve.

Apply models for computing common stock prices, including dividend valuation models, and explain rational expectations and the efficient market hypothesis.

Explain the importance of Electronic Funds Transfer Systems (EFTS) and wire transfer codes in banking for faster, more secure transactions.

Define core investment terms including risk categories, interest rates, market lines, and types of securities.

Describe past and present characteristics of regional and global investment environments, including Caribbean offshore banking achievements.

Compare individual, institutional, informed, and uninformed investors, noting the impact of marginal tax rates.

Determine required rates of return by analyzing influencing factors and performing calculations for IRR, NPV, and ROI.

Analyze different investment risk measures, their characteristics, and apply them in calculations.

Explore the definition and stages of money laundering, its use by financial institutions, and the common offences associated with this illicit activity.

Examine the role of counter money laundering organizations and assess the transaction monitoring methods financial institutions use, including Customer Due Diligence.

Assess the relevance of cybersecurity, including definitions of cybercrime and its effects, and explain the steps necessary to maintain secure financial operations.

Explain the importance of regulation in financial services for consumer protection and market integrity, and discuss the various types of regulations used.

Define terms related to financial markets, direct and indirect finance, and various financial intermediaries and institutions.

Describe the main features of various savings, investment, currency, and insurance products offered by financial centres.

Explain the concept of private banking, outlining the specialized products and services offered and the types of customers served.

Assess the crucial role and economic impact of financial institutions in offering credit, directing payments, and maintaining markets.

Explain financial derivatives, including forwards, futures, and swaps, and analyze their advantages and disadvantages in risk management.