HKIB ECF-RWM Core study plan
HKIB ECF-RWM Core · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Retail Wealth Management
Map the full ECF-RWM Core syllabus into a personal checklist, marking every sub-topic as known, shaky, or unknown
Define the regulatory perimeter of retail wealth management in Hong Kong, including the roles of the HKMA, SFC, and HKIB
Explain the client suitability obligation and the risk-profiling process from onboarding through periodic review
Distinguish the main retail investment product categories (funds, bonds, structured products, insurance-linked) by risk, liquidity, and disclosure requirements
Your checkpoint
A one-page syllabus map with confidence ratings and a list of the five weakest sub-topics to revisit.
Retail Wealth Management
Describe the know-your-client process, including identity verification, source of wealth, and source of funds documentation
Apply the suitability assessment to three hypothetical client profiles and justify product recommendations
Outline the key conduct requirements in the SFC Code of Conduct and HKMA supervisory guidance relevant to retail wealth sales
Identify common mis-selling scenarios and the controls that prevent them
Your checkpoint
Three completed client-profile worksheets with suitability rationale and a short note on the controls that would have prevented one mis-selling case.
Retail Wealth Management
Compare the features, risks, and fee structures of mutual funds, ETFs, and unit-linked insurance products
Explain the mechanics of bonds and structured products, including credit risk, interest-rate risk, and capital-protection features
Calculate simple yield, total return, and the effect of fees on long-term returns for a retail portfolio
Interpret a product key facts statement and identify the disclosure items a client must understand before purchase
Your checkpoint
A product comparison table covering at least six product types with risk, liquidity, fee, and disclosure columns, plus worked fee-impact calculations.
Retail Wealth Management
Build a model portfolio for a moderate-risk retail client using asset allocation principles
Explain the principles of diversification, rebalancing, and risk budgeting in plain language a retail client would understand
Describe the client review cycle and the triggers for a portfolio review or rebalancing
Identify the records that must be kept for suitability and transaction documentation
Your checkpoint
A model portfolio with allocation rationale and a client-facing one-page explanation of diversification and rebalancing.
Retail Wealth Management
Summarize the anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing obligations that apply to retail wealth advisers
Explain the complaints-handling and dispute-resolution routes available to retail clients
Describe the disciplinary and enforcement powers of the HKMA and SFC in retail wealth management
Outline the continuing professional development requirements for ECF-RWM holders
Your checkpoint
A compliance quick-reference sheet covering AML red flags, complaints routes, enforcement powers, and CPD obligations.
Retail Wealth Management
Complete a full timed mock examination under exam conditions and record section-level scores
Analyze every incorrect answer to identify whether the error was knowledge, application, or reading comprehension
Re-study the three weakest sub-topics identified in the mock analysis
Practice explaining suitability and product risk in concise client-facing language
Your checkpoint
A mock-exam score report with an error log classifying each mistake and a revised study list for the final two weeks.
Retail Wealth Management
Review all flagged and previously incorrect questions and confirm each is now understood
Consolidate regulatory numbers, thresholds, and time limits into a single memory sheet
Walk through two full case studies that integrate suitability, product selection, and documentation
Identify and close any remaining gaps in the syllabus checklist from week one
Your checkpoint
A completed memory sheet of key thresholds and a closed-out syllabus checklist with no unknown items remaining.
Retail Wealth Management
Complete a second full timed mock and compare section scores against week six
Rehearse exam-day logistics, timing strategy, and flag-and-return technique
Review only the memory sheet and error log to avoid last-minute overload
Confirm registration, identification, and venue requirements for the exam
Your checkpoint
A final readiness scorecard showing mock improvement, remaining risk areas, and a confirmed exam-day checklist.
Milestones
Week 4: Syllabus map shows at least 70% of sub-topics marked known, and the week-four model portfolio and comparison table are complete and self-reviewed.
Week 6: First timed mock completed with a score of at least 65%, and every incorrect answer logged with a root-cause classification.
Week 8: Second mock score at least 75% and higher than week six, with no syllabus item still marked unknown.