### Course Overview
- **Course Title:** **Financial Services: Introduction to ETFs**
- **Instructor:** **Baba Oyewole FCCA** (Chartered Accountant, Business & Finance Consultant)
- **Target Audience:**
- **Absolute beginners** with no prior investing experience
- Individuals curious about **Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)** and **passive investing**
- Savers looking to diversify portfolios for **long-term financial goals**
- Professionals seeking foundational knowledge in **index funds** and **asset allocation**
- **Prerequisites:**
- **No prior finance or investing experience required**
- Basic understanding of **savings** and **interest**
- Willingness to learn with **real-world examples** and **simple math**
- Access to a **computer** or mobile device
### Curriculum Highlights
- **Key Topics Covered:**
- **ETF fundamentals**: Definition, structure, and how they differ from **individual stocks** and **mutual funds**
- **Diversification**: Meaning, benefits, and role in **risk management**
- **Index funds vs. actively managed funds**: Key differences and performance implications
- **ETF trading mechanics**: How buying/selling works (liquidity, pricing, brokerage accounts)
- **Major indices**: Overview of **S&P 500**, **FTSE 100**, and their role in ETFs
- **Asset classes**: Breakdown of **stock ETFs**, **bond ETFs**, and **mixed funds**
- **Passive vs. active investing**: Strategies, costs, and long-term outcomes
- **Goal alignment**: How to evaluate if an ETF matches **personal financial objectives**
- **Real-world ETF examples**: Case studies of popular funds and their use cases
- **Key Skills Learned:**
- Ability to explain **what an ETF is** in simple terms
- Confidence comparing **different fund types** (stocks, bonds, hybrid)
- Understanding of **how diversification reduces risk**
- Knowledge of **index tracking** and **passive investment strategies**
- Practical steps to **start building a diversified portfolio**
- Ability to assess whether an ETF aligns with **long-term goals** (retirement, savings, income)
### Course Format
- **Duration:**
- **1 hour** of on-demand video
- **Self-paced** (lifetime access)
- **Format:**
- **Online video lectures** (pre-recorded)
- **Mobile and TV access** (Udemy app/compatible devices)
- **Resources:**
- **Certificate of completion**
- No downloadable materials or quizzes (focus on **video-based learning**)
### Additional Information
- **Instructor Credentials:**
- **4.5/5 instructor rating** (14,973 reviews)
- **207,221 students** enrolled across **45 courses**
- **Chartered Accountant (FCCA)** with expertise in **business and finance**
- **Learning Approach:**
- **Jargon-free**, **beginner-friendly** explanations
- **Example-driven** teaching with **simple math** (no complex calculations)
- Focus on **practical application** for **real-world investing**
