30
January
2014
|
09:43 AM
America/Chicago

UHD Partners with Financial Institutions to Create In-Demand Commercial Credit Certificate Program

To meet industry demand for qualified commercial banking analysts, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) has partnered with national and local financial institutions to create its Commercial Credit Certificate (CCC) Program, set to begin Feb. 13.

Commercial credit executives from numerous banks collaborated with UHD College of Business faculty to identify the basic concepts, tools and techniques that lending professionals need to make informed decisions in the highly dynamic commercial lending environment.

This group included leaders from three of the five largest banks in the United States, as well as some of the most respected regional banks impacting the Houston economy, including BBVA Compass.

The CCC Program is designed to prepare individuals to begin or advance in their careers in commercial banking - particularly related to commercial credit and underwriting.

"The Commercial Credit Certificate Program is highly beneficial, both for UHD students and for financial institutions that demand skilled and highly trained credit analysts, business banking analysts, relationship managers and commercial lenders," said Mike Fields, Ph.D., dean of the UHD College of Business.

The program consists of seven modules delivered over 16 weeks and the curriculum is based on the analysis of case studies and the application of information, concepts, theories and ideas to address real-world business situations. Students' knowledge and skills in the commercial banking field are measured at the beginning of the program, allowing instructors to adjust class materials to match the proficiency level of the class and its individual participants.

The curriculum addresses banking basics, financial analysis, types of loans, skills for negotiating loan documentation, understanding customers, the analysis of market dynamics, and loan portfolio management and monitoring.

"This is a rigorous program and an innovative way to respond to the industry's needs, and that's exactly why we wanted to be part of it," said Kristina Lund, a commercial team leader at BBVA Compass. "Its graduates will come away with a powerful set of tools, and the workforce will be better off for it."

The program helps students improve their career opportunities, boost job performance, enhance their contributions to corporate productivity and growth, and further strengthen leadership skills specific to the banking industry.

The Commercial Credit Certificate is offered by the Continuing and Professional Education division of the College of Business and is offered in a hybrid format that combines weekly face-to-face and online lessons. To join the program, students must hold an undergraduate business degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, be currently enrolled in an undergraduate business program with no more than 12 semester hours remaining, or be referred by a financial services institution.

"The CCC Program meets banking industry needs directly with the solutions and skills deemed most important for commercial lenders," said Fields. "Working hand-in-hand with financial institutions, we are pleased to provide the education students need and the essential competencies companies require."

To register for the CCC Program at UHD, please visit www.uhd.edu/ccc.