The global financial crisis demonstrated that trade finance is a broad concept that encompasses various products, mechanisms, and players. When trade collapsed in the fall of 2008, trade finance rapidly became the focus of attention. Foremost, the crisis illuminated the dearth of data and information on trade finance. Trade finance differs from other forms of credit (for example, investment finance and working capital) in ways that have important economic consequences during periods of financial crisis. Perhaps its most distinguishing characteristic is that it is offered and obtained not only through third-party financial institutions, but also through interfirm transactions. Table O.1 lists the major trade finance products. The vast majority of trade finance involves credit extended bilaterally between firms in a supply chain or between different units of individual firms.2 According to messaging data from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financia Telecommunication (SWIFT), a large share of trade finance occurs through interfirm, open-account exchange. Banks also play a central role in facilitating trade, both through the provision of finance and bonding facilities and through the establishment and management of payment mechanisms such as telegraphic transfers and documentary letters of credit (LCs). Among the intermediated trade finance products, the most commonly used for financing transactions are LCs, whereby the importer and exporter entrust the exchange process to their respective banks to mitigate counterparty risk. The IMF/BAFT-IFSA bank surveys during the crisis helped gather information on the market shares of financing products and suggested that about one-third of trade finance is bank intermediated, as figure O.2 shows. Relative to a standard credit line or working-capital loan, trade finance—whether offered through banks or within the supply chain—is relatively illiquid, which means that it cannot easily be diverted for another purpose. It is also highly collateralized; credit and insurance are provided directly against the sale of specific products or services whose value can, by and large, be calculated and secured.3 This suggests that the risk of strategic default on trade finance should be relatively low, as should be the scale of loss in the event of default.

As baby boomers save for retirement and as a generally better educated and wealthier population increasingly seeks investment advice, financial planners are expected to experience faster-than- average employment growth.1 In fact, among business and financial occupations through the year 2012, personal financial advisor (or financial planners) will be one of the fastest growing occupations, with job increases of 34.6 percent. Indeed, financial planning has been repeatedly named among the best professions in the country due to higher income potential, lower stress, and personal autonomy. Fast Company rated personal finance advisor the number one job on its “Top 25 Jobs for 2005” list.3 The 2001 Jobs Rated Almanac (St. Martin’s Griffin) rated financial planner as the “best job in the whole country” and once again followed up in the sixth edition, 2002, by ranking financial planning in the top three for “best jobs in the whole country.”Graduates may work as financial planners in a variety of practice settings. Many financial planners work in small, high-end firms serving an affluent and influential clientele. A growing number of large firms seek to employ financial planners, including insurance companies, brokerage firms, banks, financial service companies, accounting and law firms, and investment banks.

Kaplan University’s Business and Finance Sector certificate programs are offered online through our School of Continuing and Professional Studies. They have been designed by experts in their respective fields to focus on the needs of a professional career. You will gain the knowledge and skills you need to attract employers who will appreciate and reward your specialized talents.

Read on to explore the Business and Finance Sector programs in detail, to give you an idea of
the knowledge and skills you will gain and the professional opportunities you may qualify for
upon completion. Call us toll free at 866.542.4042 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors
when you are ready to apply, or if you have any questions.

You are committed to success in your career. As a finance or business professional, you are dedicated to minimizing risk and maximizing return. Now take that dedication to new and exciting fields with Kaplan University’s Business and Finance Sector online certificate programs. Our Business and Finance Sector online programs allow professionals to use their expertise and talents to become financial planners, project managers, risk managers, and executive coaches. These careers offer the benefits of flexible schedules, greater financial security, and the option to work independently. In addition, our Six Sigma Certificate program teaches you how to improve business processes to do things better, faster, and at a lower cost, making you a valuable commodity. Our varied programs have different admissions requirements. To help you choose the Business and Finance Sector online certificate program that best fits your interests, career aspirations, and educational goals.

If the bond bubble bursts in 2013 or 2014 it will be headline news and it's best to know where your best investment funds - the best mutual funds to invest money in - are now. The best mutual funds to invest money in will invest your money in what are called "alternative investments". If you are not familiar with these specialty funds, it's time to pay attention.

There IS a bond bubble because bond prices are absurdly high, which has resulted in record low interest rates. If you are an average investor your best investment vehicle takes the form of mutual funds; but it's your job (or your financial planner's job) to find the best mutual funds to invest money in. Most investors (and financial planners) see only 3 basic choices to invest money in: safe investments, bonds, and stocks. Alternative investments like gold, silver, basic metals, real estate, natural resources, and other commodities and TANGIBLES are too often ignored.

I suggest that alternative investments are your best investment if the bond bubble bursts in 2013 or 2014 because tangibles like basic materials (like copper and aluminum), oil, and real estate have an INTRINSIC VALUE. They are not just financial assets like stocks and bonds. The best mutual funds will be those that invest money in these areas (for you). Here's the logic.

The bond bubble bursts - which means that BIG investors sell bonds and send bond prices into a tailspin. The really big investors (like insurance companies, pension funds, and mutual fund companies) SELL as much and as fast as they can. FEAR strikes the stock market and heavy selling sends prices (in general) down. Bond funds are pummeled and DIVERSIFIED equity (stock) funds are severely bruised. Where will the big investors invest money now? Since they've just cashed in billions and billions in the markets, the money they've taken in has to go someplace. And what about average investors who thought they owned the best mutual funds, bond funds?

Big money will flow to the money market (the safe haven). It will also search for the best alternative investment. For most people the simplest way to invest money in this alternative arena will be through specialty equity (stock) funds that invest money in stocks of companies involved in specialty areas like precious metals, energy, basic materials, and real estate. These should be the best mutual funds and your best investment to earn higher returns if the bond bubble bursts and the stock market in general tumbles.

The best investment strategy for 2013 and 2014 will be to cut your exposure to bond funds and general diversified stock funds. The best mutual funds to invest more money in: money market funds for safety, and specialty funds that invest in the "alternative investment" arena for growth and higher returns. The best investment portfolio should include all 4 asset classes: cash (safe investments), bonds, stocks, and alternative investments.

Should the bond bubble burst in 2013 or 2014 high uncertainty and risk will make it difficult to invest money and find the single best investment or best mutual fund. Spread your money around and diversify across the 4 asset classes to achieve true balance. That's the best investment advice I can think of.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7335975