Major gift-in-kind from Croesus gives Concordia business students an edge
Students at Concordia’s John Molson School of Business (JMSB) will soon gain hands-on investing experience thanks to gift-in-kind of nearly $300,000 from Croesus.
Through Croesus Advisor — a portfolio management software — more than 300 students in JMSB’s Department of Finance will have the same real-time access to investment information that professional wealth managers, portfolio managers and advisors use on a daily basis.
“One of the ways we want to impact our community is through students,” says Sylvain Simpson, president of Croesus. “We have a market share of 55 per cent, so if you are working in the wealth management field in Canada, there’s a big chance you’re working with Croesus. This is a big advantage for students.”
The software will particularly benefit students in investment programs such as the Kenneth Woods Portfolio Management Program and the Van Berkom Investment Management Program.
Elevating the student experience
Concordia will be the first university in Canada to offer the Croesus Advisor program in a classroom setting. The software allows students to see the impact of their investments, evaluate their portfolios and link them to their clients — all based on reliable and accurate data. The real-world application will give students the advantage of accessibility and speed in a market that sees rapid change.
“We are grateful for this next-generation gift from Croesus,” says Anne-Marie Croteau, dean of JMSB. “This new software gives our students the competitive edge they need to enter the workforce already equipped with the confidence and tools to succeed.”
The new partnership between Croesus and Concordia support the university’s 9 Strategic Directions, including Go Beyond and Teach for Tomorrow, so that Concordia’s top talent can advance as leaders in the business world. Croesus Advisor will be ready for students to use in the classroom as of fall 2019.
“Technology continues to take on a bigger role in our everyday, professional lives,” says Simpson. “What was once a support tool is now becoming a strategic tool in business. We’re giving students a turnkey program to help them stay ahead of the curve.”
On par with industry professionals
Croesus provides portfolio management and data analytics solutions for companies across Canada. Concordia students will manage portfolios using the same software as Croesus’s clients, which include TD, CIBC, National Bank, Raymond James, Desjardins and Industrial Alliance.
“We’re pleased to count this new gift towards our $250-million Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen. Now,” says Paul Chesser, BA 94, GrDip 97, vice-president of Advancement at Concordia. “We take pride when external community partners join our momentum as we advance teaching and learning for the benefit of our society.”
Helping lead the way for financial services
Founded in 1987, Croesus is a FinTech that offers cutting-edge, easy-to-use and highly secure wealth management solutions. With more than 180 employees in Montreal and Toronto, Croesus draws on expertise and know-how to provide products and services tailored to the needs of the financial services industry. Its portfolio management solutions and application programming interfaces maximize performance, and its data analytics tool allows financial services professionals to make informed decisions. Croesus has won several awards as a high-quality product supplier, as well as an employer of choice.
