The Montreal Structured Finance and Derivatives Institute Launched
September 26, 2011
HEC Montréal is proud to announce the launch of the new Montreal Structured Finance and Derivatives Institute, a first in Quebec. This joint initiative with the Quebec government, announced in the latest provincial budget, will help consolidate Montréal's leading role in the field of derivatives. The ceremony was attended by HEC Montréal Director Michel Patry, by Raymond Bachand, Quebec Minister of Finance and Minister of Revenue, and many figures from the Montréal financial scene.
The Institute will play a vital role in the Quebec financial sector. It is intended as a centre for creating and disseminating knowledge, bringing together the top authorities in the field. The members of the Board of Directors – academic experts and leading lights from the professional and institutional communities – were introduced at the official launch ceremony.
Léon Courville, an economist and the former President of the National Bank of Canada, will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors, while Pascal François, Associate Professor at HEC Montréal, will be the Director of the Institute. This combination of experts from different backgrounds will allow the Institute to become a reference in the field of derivatives and benefit the entire financial sector.
The Institute will focus on two strategic areas: research and training. Its research work will be aimed at stimulating financial innovation, studying risk issues and examining the regulatory environment. Its educational activities will help to expand the existing university training in this field, while offering specialized seminars and input from world-class experts.
The Montreal Structured Finance and Derivatives Institute will receive funding of $15 million over a 10-year period.
From left to right :
Jan Ericsson, Associate Professor at McGill University, Research affiliate at the Swedish Institute for Financial Research
Pascal François, Director of the Institute, Associate Professor at HEC Montréal
Nathalie Drouin, Directrice générale contrôle des marchés et affaires juridiques - Autorité des Marchés Financiers
Léon Courville, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Institute, Economist and former President of the National Bank of Canada
Raymond Bachand, Minister of Finance and Minister of Revenue
Hélène Desmarais, Chair of the Board of Directors of HEC Montréal
Michel Patry, Director of HEC Montréal
Daniel Gauvin, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Caisse centrale Desjardins and Capital Desjardins Inc., Desjardins Group
Marc Cormier, Executive Vice-President Fixed Income Investment Division – Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec