Moody’s Corp. (NYSE:MCO) has purchased Toronto-based CSI Global Education Inc., a provider of financial learning, credentials and certification in Canada, for $155 million, the global research and ratings firm said Monday.

CSI will operate within Moody’s Analytics, strengthening Moody’s capabilities for delivering credit training programs, research and analytical services, and risk management software to financial institutions worldwide.

“CSI has an unrivaled position in financial education and certification in Canada and is expanding globally,” said Raymond McDaniel, Jr., chairman and CEO of Moody’s Corp., in a release.

“The stability and resilience of Canadian institutions during the financial crisis offers important lessons for securities and banking markets around the world, and we look forward to partnering with CSI to provide enhanced analytical insight and standards to our customers,” he added.

For over 40 years, CSI has been Canada’s leading provider of professional credentials and compliance solutions for the financial services industry, serving in excess of 700,000 professionals. CSI is the exclusive provider of the Canadian Securities Course, the base requirement for qualification as a licensed securities dealer in Canada.

CSI also offers more than 170 other courses across the securities, commercial banking, wealth management and insurance disciplines, and it partners with organizations worldwide to provide financial proficiency training in China, Europe, the Middle East, Central America and the Caribbean.

“We are excited to combine CSI’s leadership in financial education and credentialing with Moody’s international reach and expertise in credit risk management,” said Roberta Wilton, president and CEO, CSI Global Education. “By joining Moody’s Analytics, we will align our common commitment to enhancing the integrity of the capital markets, while providing CSI with a strategic edge in fulfilling our vision as an industry standard bearer and partner of choice for regulators, financial institutions and individual investors globally.”

CSI will continue to operate under the CSI Global Education name. The company’s management team, staff and operations will continue to be based in Toronto.

IE