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CFA Society Cyprus Strengthens Role in European and Local Initiatives

CFA Society Cyprus continues to demonstrate an active presence in key European and local forums, reinforcing its mission to support the development of capital markets, uphold professional standards, and promote social equality.

At the EU Steering Committee meeting of the CFA Institute in Copenhagen, CFA Society Cyprus Secretary, Mr. Kyriakos Inios, represented Cyprus in discussions with societies from across Europe. The meeting provided an important platform for exchanging views and best practices on strengthening capital markets, safeguarding professional integrity, and building investor confidence.

In addition, at the Cyprus Forum, Dr. Stella Mourouzidou-Damtsa, Board Member and Chair of the Inclusion (DEI) Committee of CFA Society Cyprus, participated in a panel discussion on gender equality in politics. She emphasized the proven benefits of diversity, the value of mentoring initiatives, and the importance of measuring inclusion with the same rigor applied to ESG criteria. Her intervention highlighted the need for systemic change to ensure equal opportunities and foster a more inclusive society.

Through such initiatives, CFA Society Cyprus reaffirms its commitment to contributing meaningfully at both European and national levels.

👉 Read the full article

Connecting Academia and Industry to Equip the Next Generation of Finance Professionals

In a recent article, the President of CFA Society Cyprus, Constantinos Kourouyiannis, CFA,  highlights how finance education in Cyprus is evolving through strong partnerships between the CFA Institute, CFA Society Cyprus, and leading investment professionals.

This collaboration ensures that students are equipped not only with strong academic foundations, but also with practical skills, ethical grounding, and exposure to global industry standards.

A key milestone in this effort is the recognition of four academic institutions in Cyprus under the CFA University Affiliation Program, which embeds a significant portion of the CFA Program curriculum into degree programs. This achievement underscores the commitment of CFA Society Cyprus and local universities to raising the quality and prestige of finance education.

The article also highlights the impact of initiatives such as the CFA Institute Research Challenge — with the Cyprus Kick-off event scheduled for October — as well as university career fairs and guest lectures. These activities provide students with mentorship, hands-on experience, and valuable career development opportunities.

Through these initiatives, Cyprus is cultivating a new generation of investment professionals, fully prepared to contribute meaningfully to both the local and international financial community.

Click here to read the full article in Greek.

Click here to read the full article in English.

Annual CFA Forecasting Event “Navigating Markets Amid Geopolitics, AI and Policy Transformation”

CFA Society Cyprus recently held its Annual Forecasting Event 2025, welcoming a full audience of finance professionals, market participants, and business leaders for an evening of economic insight and forward-looking discussion. The event reaffirmed its standing as a key gathering point for the financial services community in Cyprus, offering critical perspectives on global macroeconomic trends and capital markets.

The evening featured presentations and panel discussions covering a range of topics including market volatility, fiscal strategy, investment outlooks, and the evolving role of innovation in finance. Attendees engaged in substantive dialogue, exchanging views on the future of the global economy and financial decision-making in a rapidly changing environment.

CFA Society Cyprus extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose support was instrumental in delivering this successful event. This year’s Platinum Sponsor was Bank of Cyprus, while Gold Sponsors included XM, K. Treppides & Co Ltd, Grant Thornton Cyprus, KPMG Cyprus, Blackbeard Asset Management, Alpha Bank, and Athlos Capital. We also gratefully acknowledge our PR Strategic Partner, Avaton Communications, for their ongoing collaboration.

The enthusiastic participation and continued conversation beyond the formal programme highlighted the value of creating space for professional exchange, insight, and networking. CFA Society Cyprus remains committed to providing high-caliber platforms that empower finance professionals, foster collaboration, and promote ethical leadership in investment markets.

We thank everyone who contributed to making the Forecasting Event 2025 a success and look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming initiatives.

Click here for more details

Building financial resilience in a digital age

In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, financial guidance is more accessible than ever. With a surge in social media content and AI-generated information, investing has become easier to explore—but also more challenging to navigate.

The growing presence of so-called “finfluencers” has transformed the way people approach investing. In fact, nearly one in three investors now admit to making financial decisions based on social media advice. But this convenience comes with risk: how can individuals distinguish between valuable insights and misleading, or even fraudulent, recommendations?

Key considerations for staying financially informed:

  • Not all financial influencers are qualified professionals—many prioritize attention and clicks over sound advice.
  • AI-generated videos can replicate human voices and faces, making fake financial content appear alarmingly real.
  • Financial literacy, critical thinking, and seeking guidance from trusted professionals are essential for building long-term resilience.

As part of Global Money Week 2025, CFA Society Cyprus advocates for informed, responsible financial decision-making. It’s more important than ever to filter through the noise, empower oneself with knowledge, and invest with confidence.

Read the full article by Spyros Ierides, CFA,
Volunteer for CFA Society Cyprus Financial Literacy Committee

English article

Greek article

 

CFA Institute Local Research Challenge 2024-25 Final: A Celebration of Excellence in Equity Research

 

The CFA Institute Local Research Challenge 2024-25 Final was a remarkable event that brought together the brightest student teams from Cyprus to compete in an intense and insightful equity research competition. The competition provided a platform for aspiring finance professionals to showcase their analytical skills, investment acumen, and presentation abilities.

Event Overview

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
📍 Location: Deloitte Headquarters, Nicosia

The event featured university teams presenting their in-depth analysis of Bank of Cyprus, the Subject Company of this year’s competition. Each team conducted a thorough valuation and investment recommendation, demonstrating their expertise in financial analysis and strategic decision-making.

Participating Universities

  • University of Nicosia

  • European University of Cyprus

  • University of Cyprus

These talented students dedicated months to rigorous research, applying their academic knowledge to real-world financial scenarios.

Agenda Highlights

🔹 Gathering & Networking
🔹 Welcome Remarks by Chair of CFA Research Challenge Committee & Deloitte Partner & FAS Leader
🔹 Student Presentations & Q&A with the Judges
🔹 Closing Ceremony & Winner Announcement 

Winners & Recognition

After a highly competitive round of presentations and challenging Q&A sessions the University of Nicosia  was crowned the winner.  They will now advance to the EMEA Regional Finals, representing Cyprus.

Sponsors & Partners

This prestigious event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors:
🏆 Platinum Sponsor: XM
🥇 Gold Sponsors: Deloitte Cyprus, Athlos Capital, Eurobank Cyprus
🎯 Other Sponsor: StockOpine

A Night of Celebration & Networking

The event concluded with a networking reception, where participants, judges, sponsors, and industry professionals engaged in insightful discussions over food and drinks. The evening not only celebrated the winners but also recognized the dedication and hard work of all participating teams.

Looking Ahead

CFA Society Cyprus remains committed to fostering financial literacy and investment excellence among future finance professionals. We congratulate all participants for their efforts and wish University of Nicosia the best of luck in the EMEA Regional Finals!

Financial Compliance Awareness Seminar and Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Cyprus Compliance Association

Kickstarting the event, CFA Society Cyprus and Cyprus Compliance Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the start of a strategic partnership to enhance professional development, market integrity, knowledge-sharing, regulatory collaboration, and industry networking.

Following the signing, the seminar which delivered in-depth insights into the evolving landscape of financial compliance and focused on hot regulatory topics. Attendees benefited from expert-led discussions, practical case studies, and interactive sessions designed to enhance their understanding of compliance challenges and best practices.

Our esteemed speakers and panelists — Jon Stokes, Antonis Hadjicostas, Christia Heracleous, Constantinos Kourouyiannis, CFA, and Maria Petsa Papacharalambous — shared their invaluable insights throughout the seminar with Nikos Potamaris, CFA, expertly guiding the panel discussion. 

Read more here.

CFA Society Cyprus and Cyprus Stock Exchange Sign MoU

CFA Society Cyprus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE). This partnership aims to enhance professional standards and the development of financial markets in Cyprus.

The MoU reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to promote transparency, ethical practices, and advanced financial knowledge within the local market.

This agreement sets the stage for ongoing collaboration, focusing on:

  • Professional Development: Organizing seminars, workshops, and training programs for market participants.
  • Innovation: Supporting the development of innovative financial instruments and services.
  • Addressing Market Challenges: Encouraging knowledge-sharing to tackle emerging trends and challenges in the financial sector.

This strategic MoU underscores the commitment of CFA Society Cyprus and the CSE to elevate financial market standards in Cyprus through continuous professional development and innovative solutions.

Press release

Δελτίο τύπου

Award Ceremony / Christmas Party

On December 19th, 2024, CFA Society Cyprus held a prestigious award ceremony at the Ivory Bar Restaurant, where six new members were conferred the esteemed CFA Charter. These individuals successfully completed the rigorous requirements set by the CFA Institute, including passing three challenging examinations and accumulating 4,000 hours of professional experience.

The event was attended by the Society’s President, Mr. Nikos Potamaris, along with board members, associates, and friends. Mr. Potamaris commended the new Charterholders for their dedication and hard work, emphasizing the Society’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence in the investment sector.

The event was generously supported by TFI Markets Ltd (Platinum Sponsor) and AON Solutions Cyprus, Eurobank Cyprus, and XM (Gold Sponsors) whose contributions helped make the ceremony a memorable success.

This achievement not only marks a significant milestone in the careers of the new Charterholders but also reflects the growing prominence of CFA Society Cyprus within the global financial community.

Click here for press release

CFA Society Cyprus Launches Podcast Series

CFA Society Cyprus is excited to launch a new podcast series that dives deep into the financial topics shaping our world and local economy. Each episode will bring expert guests sharing insights and practical advice to help you navigate finance and investment challenges with confidence.

Episode 1: Pensions in Cyprus
Board Member and Financial Literacy Chair, Alexandros Clappas, CFA, and guest Panayiotis Mavromichalis, CFA, explore:
🔹 The effectiveness of Cyprus’ pension system
🔹 The role of private pensions in complementing state provisions
🔹 How individuals and policymakers can ensure a secure retirement future

Gain valuable knowledge and be part of a discussion that affects everyone’s financial wellbeing. 

While the first episode is in Greek, future episodes will also include discussions in English, making the podcast accessible to a broader audience.

Click here for press release.

Watch podcast here.

Listen to podcast here.

Navigating the ESG Landscape: A Deep Dive into ESG Fund Classification Methods

On December 3rd, 2024, CFA Society Cyprus and CIFA hosted a successful webinar, “Navigating the ESG Landscape: A Deep Dive into ESG Fund Classification Methods”. The event featured expert insights from Dr. George Theocharides (CySEC) on ESG regulation updates and Ms. Nicole Gehrig (CFA Institute) on innovative ESG classification systems. Moderated by Dr. Constantinos Kourouyiannis, CFA, CFA Society Cyprus Vice President the discussion covered key challenges and opportunities in ESG fund management, concluding with an engaging Q&A session.

To read the press release, click here.

Watch the webinar below: