[HALIFAX, NS] — “This has been a phenomenal learning experience,” says Mary-Eleanor Walker, on behalf of Team Coyne, the group of four Dalhousie MBA students who won $10,000 recently at the RMA Sobey Credit Risk Case Competition in Halifax.
"It was an honour meeting with and working beside such accomplished professionals, both in industry and academia. We were proud to represent Dalhousie University and the Rowe School of Business."
Chris McKenney, Jason Reid and Becky Fiander were the other members of the winning team.
The second place winning team, Team Dodge from the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University, won $5000, and third place winners from the Rotman School of Business at University of Toronto split a $3000 prize. Eight teams in total competed, including teams from Wilfred Laurier and Queen’s University.
“Teams really demonstrated an impressive grasp of the nuances of financial risk analysis. They demonstrated insight and creativity in applying the tools they’d learned,” said Ross Backman, a manager with RBC and one of the organizing committee.
The competition was hosted by the Risk Management Association and the Sobey School of Business, and was designed to offer students an opportunity to practice business analysis and financial risk assessment skills they’ve learned.
“Active learning is a key to developing skilled leaders. It was interesting to note not just their financial prowess, but the softer skills students demonstrated,” said Patricia Bradshaw, dean of the Sobey School of Business. “The eye contact, the handshakes, the presentation skills, the confidence. We are so proud to have an opportunity to build this bridge between students and industry.”
The competition gave teams a limited time to analyze a case and prepare a presentation to industry judges. The judges cross-examined each team. The top four teams took part in a final ‘crisis round’ in which they had 10 minutes to prepare a response to a second challenge.
Judges for the competition were drawn from the banking and risk management industry. The event was sponsored by Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, HSBC, RBC and TD Bank Financial Group. Risk management is a growing field, with many interesting challenges, David McLeod, another organizer and a manager with CIBC told the students at the wrap up.
"I hope I will be seeing many of you young professionals at recruiting events."
