State Farm Financial Literacy Lab
Facebook goes public: A discussion for journalists
Florida International University is hosting a panel discussion for journalists covering Facebook’s upcoming initial public offering (IPO) and its implications. FIU experts from a wide array of fields, including business, law, engineering and communications, will discuss what to expect in the coming months and what reporters should look out for as the world’s largest social media site goes public.
The discussion will be streamed live on Facebook and Ustream, where viewers are encouraged to post questions and comments.
FIU Student Managed Investment Fund
Hands-on experience with equity analysis and portfolio management
Founded in 2008, the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) was created with the idea of giving students a hands-on experience with equity analysis and portfolio management.
The Fund is arranged to resemble a diversified buy-side fund, split into sector teams with managers and analysts. The teams meet on a weekly basis, exchanging ideas and working together to identify potentially profitable equity positions in the markets.
In The News
Liberty City high school gets $1 million investment
Miami Northwestern fans will hear a special announcement this month when the Bulls football team plays Carol City Senior.
Not the score. A $1 million project to expand rigorous courses, build a new lab, improve graduation rates and create a college-going culture at the Liberty City school, which has much pride, but also many struggles.
High School Financial Markets Program
Course given by lab interns
Since the fall semester of 2009, the State Farm Financial Literacy Lab has been working with high school students in the South Florida region in its own self-initiated financial markets training program. These free training courses are held at the Modesto Maidique FIU campus, in the State Farm Financial Literacy Lab - CBC 252.
The course is given by lab interns who are finance majors (or graduate students) with experience in the field. It is aimed at giving students a crash course in the financial markets and investment world, specifically the debt and equity markets.
Employee Financial Literacy Program
All programs will be conducted from 4 pm to 5 pm
In this current economic time it is imperative for all persons from all walks of life to be aware of personal finance and how it affects individuals and the financial market. Understanding the basics of personal financial management is not only important but it is needed.
The FIU State Farm® Financial Literacy Lab would like to impart this knowledge to the employees of the FIU campus. Arming yourself with the necessary financial knowledge is only a RSVP away. We look forward to seeing you!
Our Mission Statement
"The mission of The State Farm Financial Literacy Lab entails promotion of the importance of financial education and the spreading of financial literacy awareness throughout the South Florida community. Recognizing the implications financial literacy has on our economy and society, our lab strives to educate not just FIU students, but students beyond university walls on personal finance. As a research facility dedicated to academic excellence, our lab aims to prepare FIU students for today’s competitive job market – this involves researching innovative ways to effectively integrate contemporary financial strategies with classroom discussion. By merging conceptual basics with a “hands-on” approach, the lab seeks to enhance student learning while encouraging creativity and innovation in financial decision making."
The State Farm Financial Literacy Lab (SFFLL) provides students, faculty, and the South Florida community with unparalleled educational and technological resources relating to finance. By utilizing the most current financial research platforms available, students are given an opportunity to supplement academic theory with the real world analytical tools used by leading financial institutions. The SFFLL plays a major role in allowing students to develop a highly marketable skill set – a skill set required to succeed in the dynamic world of finance.
The SFFLL houses FIU’s Student Management Investment Fund (SMIF), an undergraduate course taught by Dr. Helen Simon, CFP®, where students run and manage an investment fund worth $200,000 (university donor funded). Students also utilize the Lab’s resources to carry out extensive market research and analysis required for completion of the course.
The Lab strives not only to enrich the professional and academic experiences of the FIU community, but also to reach out to students all throughout South Florida and provide invaluable financial insight to those students who might not otherwise find accessible. The SFFLL has opened its doors to middle school and high school students in order to provide a solid foundation of financial knowledge to our community’s future leaders through our State Farm Financial Literacy Program.
Inaugurated in August 2008, the SFFLL is a trading, research, and teaching facility for business disciplines: including finance, accounting, marketing, decision science, and investment management. Part of FIU’s College of Business Administration, a 2,200 square-foot state-of-the-art facility houses extensive financial information resources including advanced audio/visual systems, plasma screen displays, and a real-time ticker with data consisting of fixed income, equities, and foreign exchange markets. Plasma screen monitors broadcast live via Bloomberg and allow lab participants access to real time market news from around the world.
