Current Expertise for Financial Professionals
With decades of experience, Aalto EE supports professionals across the full spectrum of financial services, ranging from lending and credit risk management to sustainable finance, corporate and rural financing, digital mortgage processes, and the evolving world of payments. Our programs provide a solid foundation for navigating both regulatory expectations and practical challenges in today’s financial landscape.
Our programs provide up-to-date insights on regulation, risk management, lending practices, and sustainable finance. Participants gain a practical understanding of the financial system, capital adequacy requirements, deposit protection, credit regulation, and the key responsibilities of financial institutions.
Whether you're developing your personal expertise or building organizational capabilities, our learning solutions help you stay competitive, compliant, and ready for what’s next in the financial industry.
Compare Programs
Download the Banking and Finance brochure and compare programs.
Finance Banking
pdfWhat kind of training or development are you looking for?
February 4, 2025
Seminars
Hybrid
FinnishRead Customer Experiences
Estimated study time: 27 hours
Meet Our Faculty
Petri Suni
Esko Penttinen
Esko Penttinen is Associate Professor (tenured) in Information Systems at Aalto University School of Business.
He specializes in automation tools and the use of structured data in financial value chain processes. His research interests lie in improving our understanding of how automation and human work should be integrated so that the risks of potential detrimental effects (such as deskilling) can be mitigated. Esko is also interested in governance issues (such as outsourcing and enablement of virtual work processes) related to the implementation of automation tools and cloud computing. Esko conducts empirical research (both qualitative and quantitative) around electronic financial systems, cloud-based accounting information systems, government reporting, and electronic invoicing.
Besides research and teaching, Esko leads the Real-Time Economy Competence Center at Aalto University and is chairman of XBRL Finland.
Michael Ungeheuer
Dr. Michael Ungeheuer is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Aalto University School of Business Department of Finance. His research interests include Investor Behavior, Asset Pricing, and Household Finance.
Teaching areas are Capstone Valuation, Corporate Finance, Derivatives, International Asset Management, Investments and Asset Pricing, and Risk Management.
He has been at Aalto University, School of Business, Department of Finance, since 2017. Prior to joining Aalto University, he has been Research and Teaching Assistant in the University of Mannheim, Germany.
Michael Ungeheuer has a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Mannheim, Germany, M.Sc. in Finance from Illinois Institute of Technology, USA, and a Diplom Business Economics from the University of Mannheim, Germany.
Mikko Kiviharju
Mikko Kiviharju works as a Professor of Practice at Aalto University.
Before his current position, he worked for the Finnish Defense Forces research center.
His expertise includes cyber security in critical infrastructure systems, such as the Internet of Things and logistics operational technologies, cyber security in AI, and cryptology/encryption techniques.
Matthijs Lof
Matthijs Lof is an Associate Professor of Finance at Aalto University School of Business.
He has a PhD in Economics from the University of Helsinki and an MSc in Econometrics from the University of Amsterdam. Prior to joining Aalto, he had worked at the European Central Bank and the Dutch Central Bank.
His research interests include asset pricing, financial markets, and investor behavior. His work is published in leading journals including Management Science, the Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, and the Journal of Corporate Finance.
Elias Rantapuska
Dr. Elias Rantapuska is an Associate Professor of Finance and Department chair at Aalto University School of Business Department of Finance and currently visiting Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam School of Management.
He holds D.Sc. (Econ.) from Helsinki School of Economics. Prior to joining Aalto University, Elias worked for Nordea, J.P. Morgan, and McKinsey & Company. After joining Aalto University in 2010, Elias has worked as a visiting scholar and professor at Bank of Finland, BI Norwegian Business School, HKUST, NYU, and SSE. He also frequently engages with practitioners through consulting engagements.
His current academic research interests include topics such as the role of feelings, experiences, and family relationships in investment decisions.
Seppo Ikäheimo
Seppo Ikäheimo is Professor of Corporate Governance at Aalto University School of Business.
He specializes in compensation systems, ownership, investor relations, board of directors and company valuation.
Professor Ikäheimo has frequently acted as a member of the arbitral tribunal in minority redemption cases and has provided an expert opinion in several legal cases. He has served as an advisor concerning investor relations, compensation systems, and board work.
In addition, he is actively involved in developing accounting and corporate governance-related legislation and guidance.
Anna Eskelin
Anna Eskelin is Head of Conduct, Advisory and Product Compliance at Nordea.
Before that, he had an extensive career in financial compliance management.
Markku Kaustia
Markku Kaustia is the Hannes Gebhard Professor in Finance and Insurance at Aalto University School of Business.
His areas of research include finance, investments, financial markets, assets management, investor behavior, and psychology. His research has been published in leading academic journals, like the Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Journal of Finance.
Professor Kaustia is a regular speaker and teacher for finance professionals and conferences. He has investigated micro-foundations of investment epidemics, dynamics of investors' risk aversion, and behavioral biases of finance professionals.
He has been at Aalto University, School of Business, Department of Finance, since 2008. As a Visiting Professor, he has taught in the USA at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business (2011-2012), and at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business (2012-2013).
In 2014, Aalto University established the position of Hannes Gebhard Professor in Finance & Insurance to acknowledge the support of the OP-Pohjola Group in promoting scientific research in finance. Hannes Gebhard was a Finnish businessman, professor of economic history & economics, member of Parliament & father of the Finnish Cooperative Business.
Markku Kaustia has a Ph.D. in Finance from Aalto University School of Business.
Niko Saxholm
Niko Saxholm has held different police positions for 12 years and in bank security positions for 10 years, the last of which was as the head of security at Finnish Handelsbanken.
Featured Insights on Banking and Finance
Contact Us
Responding to Change in the Banking Sector
Due to crises, globalization, digitalization, and increased regulation, banking has undergone structural shifts. While banks still focus on core functions—financial intermediation, payments, and risk services—new technologies such as AI, robotics, and blockchain are reshaping operations. Today's financial institutions must address customer behavior shifts, tightening compliance demands, and growing pressure for sustainable and transparent practices. Aalto EE supports clients in navigating these changes by designing training solutions that combine the latest domestic and international research with the practical expertise of professionals who understand the realities of the financial industry.
To support regulatory compliance, we offer the Financial Specialist Competence Test (Rahoitusasiantuntijan osaamiskoe), which helps organizations verify that employees possess the necessary, up-to-date knowledge of credit products, responsible lending, and financial regulation. The exam includes annual assessments to ensure continued competence.
Focus Areas: AML, KYC, and Sanctions Compliance
Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations are central to modern banking. Institutions must ensure proper customer due diligence and monitor transactions to prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, and violations of international sanctions. Aalto EE's training supports organizations in maintaining strong internal controls and up-to-date expertise in these critical areas. Our seminars and online courses on these topics are widely used by financial institutions to strengthen internal capabilities and to demonstrate compliance and staff competence to regulators.
Evolving Payments and Open Banking
PSD2 regulation has introduced new third-party providers (PIS, AIS) and strong customer authentication requirements, and payment services are rapidly transforming. Card payments, contactless transactions, mobile apps, and alternative methods such as cryptocurrencies and blockchain are reshaping the payments landscape. Our courses help professionals understand this evolving environment and navigate future developments.