KPMG in Bermuda launched the Senior School Investment Challenge (the Challenge) in 2005 as part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to education and youth development.

Under the terms of the investment club-like initiative, each school is permitted to enter a maximum of two teams per year and each team is given BD$100,000 in virtual funds to trade over six months. At the end of the program, real cash prizes of $10,000, $6,000 and $4,000 are awarded to the first, second and third placed teams, respectively. These funds are used by the schools for a variety of educational initiatives. 

With support from the Ministry of Education and the Heads of the private schools, each of the island’s eight senior schools participates annually. The main objective of the Challenge is to create a meaningful and perpetual educational program for Bermuda’s senior schools to:

• Generate interest in the concept of “investing for the future”; 
• Develop awareness of the capital markets and the types of securities available; 
• Raise awareness of career opportunities within the various segments of the capital markets (e.g., accountants, bankers, lawyers, regulators, analysts, investment advisers, fund administrators, pension planners, educators, etc.); and 
• Increase exposure to international business activities as they impact global and local stock markets.

Each year, our firm fields a team of mentors to support and guide the students. In addition, a number of prominent clients make themselves available to speak with the students on topics related to the capital markets. 

The winning teams are announced at a prize giving ceremony in May.