Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives became a popular phrase in the financial vocabulary of the many countries particularly the United States and Europe because of the 2008-09 financial crisis. These were the times when well-known corporations, banks, mutual funds and even local and national governments suffered serious financial losses. The Congress has held hearings on the topic and financial experts delivered lengthy speeches about derivatives.

Even today, derivatives still remain as financial instruments that some people are not able to understand and appreciate. This is why online courses are being offered on the Internet and derivatives trading conferences are being scheduled and held at different business centers worldwide. The people should be made to understand that derivatives are not really “bad”, that there should only be a full understanding of these instruments; and risks should be managed responsibly. Maybe some of us may have indirectly invested in derivatives, that is, if we purchased mutual funds or participated in a kind of pension plan with underlying assets that include derivative products.

The derivative trading conferences that are scheduled for later part of the year and early next year will bring together trading firms, financial institutions, exchanges, professionals, risk managers, etc. from all over the world. There will usually be 5 days of content, a good number of speakers, and a stand-alone summit. Some conference organizers offer educational workshops that you can book separately. The event also features panel discussions with leaders in the industry. Some incorporate trade shows in the conference and provide networking opportunities for you to have connections with the professionals of the finance industry.

But if your busy schedules do not allow you to attend any derivatives trading discussions, it is still possible that you hear the views of financial experts on relevant issues by watching derivatives trading videos that contain interviews with some respected and famous financial advisors and consultants. You may be able to improve your market skills, learn to showcase a new product, and learn also about different trading practices.
Just like the formal discussion, the derivatives trading videos can be helpful to senior level managers of banks and other financial institutions, brokerage firms, clearing houses, commodity trade houses, etc. Even decision makers and retail investors can benefit from derivatives trading videos.

Whichever way you choose to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the derivatives, it will surely be beneficial to you. You will learn that there is definitive list of derivative products, because through an agreement, you can already “create” a derivative product. So only the human imagination can limit the types of these products. Other useful information that you can get from summits and trading videos is that derivatives are devices that are risk-shifting, so you must learn how to identify and comprehend the assumed risks, evaluate them, and continuously monitor and manage those risks.

Being risk shifting devices, derivatives attract financial experts who would like to take advantage and wish to profit from interest rates as soon as they become favorable. As mentioned above, derivatives need to be fully understood before you decide to invest on the industry, because if you jump on it and fail to handle it well, the result can be catastrophic.
Trading videos http://www.wbresearch.com/tradetechderivatives/trading-videos.aspx and conference http://www.wbresearch.com/tradetechderivatives/agendadownload.aspx are common to make financial institutions realize the importance of OTC derivatives.