Business school HEC Montréal and National Bank Financial (NBF) today announced that NBF is making a $250,000 donation to HEC Montréal, with the goal of upgrading the National Bank Financial trading room so as to integrate the latest technological advances and maximize its value as a teaching tool.

The National Bank Financial trading room is exactly like an actual trading room in a financial institution. It is supplied with real-time financial data and linked to the Bloomberg and Reuters information and analysis services. As a classroom, it also serves as a laboratory for solving business cases and gathering constantly updated financial data. Trading simulations are held there as part of course and seminars.

HEC Montréal Director Michel Patry stated, “The ergonomic and technological improvements that will be made to the trading room with the donation from National Bank Financial will help to keep HEC Montréal in the forefront of those institutions that stand out thanks to the recognized quality of all their teaching activities. The trading room is a valuable asset for our students, who will have to carve out a place for themselves on the labour market once they graduate. It gives them a chance to perfect their knowledge of the intricacies of financial markets and make better links between theory and practice.”

“We at National Bank Financial have made customer service the cornerstone of our business philosophy,” emphasizes Richard Lupien, senior vp and CEO of National Bank Financial. “Consequently, we need highly skilled human capital and so we are happy to invest in training and in teaching excellence for future professionals.”