BOSTON - Harvard Business School (HBS) announced today the launch of a new focused Executive Education program aimed at developing innovative strategies to assist consumer finance firms create, develop and implement new competitive products. Called Consumer Financial Services: New Models for Success, the program will be held on the School's Boston campus on October 21-24.

"The growth of the financial services sector has resulted in a proliferation of products, services and entities seeking a stake in this market. In order for an organization to compete and thrive in this crowded marketplace it is essential to be creative and sensitive to both market pressures and consumer demand," said Professor Peter Tufano, faculty chair of the Harvard Business School program. "This new program will assist executives in determining new business development strategies so that they can create innovative product offerings, acquire new customers and break into new markets in cost-effective ways."

The program, which was created to address the challenges faced by consumer financial services firms of all sizes, will draw on case studies of successful financial services providers from around the globe, classroom discussions on key industry tactics, marketing and the consumer psyche to present participants with the most applicable and effective present day material.

HBS faculty will also work with participants to examine the industry from both a managerial perspective as well as a consumer perspective, with an emphasis on the importance of understanding customer needs, preferences and general market trends.

The teaching team for Consumer Financial Services: New Models for Success includes HBS faculty who are renowned for their involvement in business administration, accounting, law, and financial management fields. This diverse team of professionals, who are leading authorities in their respective fields, will expose participants to multiple perspectives, addressing and challenging their thinking on many levels.

Admission to the program is based on professional achievement and organizational responsibility. For more information or to apply online please visit http://www.exed.hbs.edu/programs/cfs/.

About Harvard Business School
Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School (www.hbs.edu) is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 200 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and doctoral degrees, as well as more than 40 Executive Education programs. For almost a century, HBS faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching to educate leaders who have shaped the practice of business around the globe.