IFSA Network

The International Finance Student Association traces its roots back to 2014 in Rotterdam, specifically at the Rotterdam School of Management.{{cite web |title=IFSA Network: Letter to Stakeholders |url=http://ifsa-network.com/letter-to-stakeholders-16/ |accessdate=4 November 2018 |website=IFSA Network: Letter to Stakeholders |publisher=WordPress}} The initial purpose of the network was to create a community for individuals studying Finance, fostering connections both amongst themselves and with established figures in the financial sector.

A new structure was brought in from the 2024-25 tenure to better deal with the delegation of responsibilities as the network continued to expand. The leadership team now consists of a three-member board - the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer - and a five-member Executive Committee, comprising the respective heads of APAC, EMEA and LATAM, Head of Communications and Head of Operations.

The IFSA Network operates under a decentralized yet cohesive organizational structure{{cite web |title=IFSA Network: Who Are We |url=http://ifsa-network.com/who-are-we/ |accessdate=4 November 2018 |website=IFSA Network: Who Are We |publisher=WordPress}} designed to balance local autonomy with global coordination. Situated in educational institutions across the world, the individual chapters serve as semi-independent units,{{Cite web |title=Our Chapters Globally |url=https://ifsa-network.com/the-network/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=IFSA Network |language=en-US}} each governed by their own board comprising at least a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and General Secretary.{{Cite web |title=About us - who we are|url=https://ifsa-geneva.ch/who-we-are/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=IFSA Geneva |language=en-US}} These boards manage day-to-day operations and supervise regional activities{{Cite web |title=About us - what we do |url=https://ifsa-geneva.ch/what-we-do/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=IFSA Geneva |language=en-US}} tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of their local student bodies. Chapters also usually have specialized departments, such as Finance, Marketing, and Events, each headed by a department manager who oversees a team of analysts.

From 2024-5, the leadership team was changed to of a three-member board - the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer - and a five-member Executive Committee, comprising the respective heads of APAC, EMEA and LATAM, Head of Communications and Head of Operations.

The IFSA Trader’s Cup is the world’s largest student run trading challenge.{{cite web |title=IFSA Traders' Cup |url=http://ifsa-network.com/traderscup/ |accessdate=4 November 2018 |website=IFSA Network |publisher=WordPress}} All people studying in a recognised university are free to participate. The competition relies on securities trading, and aims to give students an opportunity to distinguish themselves from the competition. The competition is held once per academic year, starting in spring of 2016. For the second edition of the competition, students from more than 35 universities, located in 28 countries on 6 continents competed.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The Global Case Competition at Harvard{{cite web |title=Global Case Competition Harvard |url=http://umcrookston.meritpages.com/achievements/Business-Students-travel-to-2017-Harvard-Global-Case-Competition/71500 |accessdate=4 November 2018 |website=University of Minnesota Crookston }} is the world’s most prestigious case competition organized by students.{{cite web |title=IFSA Harvard Case Competition |url=http://harvardcasecompetition.com/ |accessdate=4 November 2018 |website=IFSA Harvard Case Competition |publisher=Harvard Case Competition}}

During the first edition, a team from HEC Paris,{{cite web |title=HEC Paris |url=http://campus.hec.fr/the-hec-experience-blog/2017/04/18/team-modigliani-2-0-from-hec-paris-at-the-finals-of-harvard-global-case-competition/ |accessdate=15 November 2018 |website=HEC Paris }} a leading French university, won the challenge.{{cite web |title=HEC Paris wins Global Case Competitions |url=http://www.hec.edu/News-Room/News/HEC-Paris-win-2016-Harvard-International-Finance-Competition |accessdate=15 November 2018 |website=HEC Paris }}

The second edition was won by the London Business School.{{cite web |title=MiF Students from LBS Win Harvard Global Case Competition |url=http://www.oneyearmba.co.in/mif-students-lbs-win-harvard-global-case-competition/ |accessdate=15 November 2018 |website=ONE YEAR MBA }}

The various IFSA Network chapters try to offer their communities various local events to connect with the professional world.{{cite web |title=Geneva students are hungry and getting prepared to face the challenges ! |url=https://www.notzstucki.com/ifsa-event-geneva-students-are-hungry-and-getting-prepared-to-face-the-challenges/ |accessdate=15 November 2018 |website=NOTZ STUCKI }} Often, an industry professional will come to the IFSA Network events and meet students. The purpose of those venues is to give students a taste of the professional world, share tips and knowledge, and give an opportunity to network.

In 2018, the IFSA Network in cooperation with the Boston Consulting Group and InvestSoc, organised the first, three-week long International Cape Town Case Competition. The competition has a unique{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} format where teams consisting of 2 to 4 participants, propose solutions for crises that are presented to them. In their solutions, participants are able to showcase their knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills on a current macroeconomic issue.

A jury picks the 15 best international teams and the best local teams, from Cape Town. The selected teams arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, to participate in the second round, and present in front of a select panel. The winning team is awarded a cash prize of 5000 South African Rand.

It has established chapters in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and India among other locations. These chapters focus on providing localized resources, events, workshops, and competitions aimed at career development and knowledge acquisition in finance. As of 2023, The IFSA Network has the following chapters:{{cite web |title=IFSA Network New Website |url=http://ifsa-network.com/ |accessdate=3 June 2023 |website=IFSA Network |publisher=WordPress}}

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Category:Business education