Financial Sector Surveillance (FSS)
This course, presented by the Institute for Capacity Development, introduces participants to key concepts and tools used in the identification and assessment of financial sector vulnerabilities and sources of strength. The course provides a basic toolkit to assess financial sector risks and measure them against existing capital and liquidity buffers in the financial system. The discussions focus on the early identification of unwarranted macro-financial imbalances and the analysis of the transmission of financial distress across institutions, markets, and economic sectors, with the objective of reducing the likelihood and the severity of financial crises. A combination of lectures and hands-on workshops allows participants to apply essential risk assessment techniques.
Target Audience
Junior to senior government officials tasked with surveillance of the financial sector, especially staff of the central bank, financial regulators, and other agencies that engage in macroprudential oversight.
Qualifications
Participants are expected to have a degree in economics or finance, preferably at the master’s level, or equivalent work experience; good quantitative skills; and proficiency in the use of computers to analyze data. It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed the online Financial Market Analysis (FMAx) course. Because many of the workshops use Microsoft Excel worksheets, familiarity with the basics of Excel is important.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
- Measure the main risks facing banks (e.g., credit, market, liquidity, funding) and their respective capital and liquidity buffers, from a systemic financial stability perspective.
- Design and perform basic stress tests of solvency and liquidity and interpret the results.
- Understand the main climate risk drivers and transmission channels to financial institutions’ balance sheets and perform basic climate stress tests.
- Recognize the importance of nonbank financial intermediaries and their links to banks.
- Assess macro-financial linkages, including the links between the financial sector, the government, and the real economy, along with potential amplification mechanisms.
- Track the buildup¿of systemic risk and vulnerabilities associated with credit, leverage, balance sheet mismatches, and interconnectedness.
- Assess how shocks can amplify throughout the financial system, e.g., through adverse liquidity spirals or feedback effects between asset prices and leverage.
Syllabus
Upcoming Offering
| Start date | End date | Location | Delivery Method | Session No. | Primary & (Interpretation) language | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2025 | October 17, 2025 | Ebene, Mauritius | In-person Training | AT 25.24 | English (French, Portuguese) | Apply online by August 8, 2025 |
| January 12, 2026 | January 22, 2026 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | In-person Training | CE 26.02 | English | Apply online by September 29, 2025 |
Gender Inequality and Macroeconomics (GM)
English (Arabic) | September 21-25, 2025 | In-person Training | Kuwait City, Kuwait
Apply online by July 17, 2025
Taxation and Domestic Revenue Mobilization
English (Arabic) | September 28, 2025 - October 2, 2025 | In-person Training | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Apply online by July 17, 2025
Residential Property Price Index
English | April 22, 2025 - July 31, 2025 | Online Training | Course conducted online
Apply online by July 17, 2025