Finance team places third at 2023 CFA Society of Orange County SMIF Competition

The Bronco Asset Management (BAM), Cal Poly Pomona’s Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) team earned its fifth straight podium finish in a competition between Southern California’s top business schools.

Since 2018, the CFA Society of Orange County has invited universities to prepare, present and submit proposals on strategies for managing a live fund during the annual RFP Competition. The top three finishers spend the next year controlling part of the organization’s real money portfolio, an honor CPP students will continue to enjoy.

“Once is luck, twice is skill, and every year is a pattern,” finance, real estate, and law department chair Professor Wei Yu said. “It is especially heartwarming to witness the vibrant spirit and collaboration that thrives within the team.”

Along with competitive success, the SMIF program creates a lasting impact among team members as was evident with five alumni joining faculty to support the team during the 2023 event. Among the attendees was 2022 CBA McPhee Scholar and valedictorian Andrew Brands, now a financial and valuation consultant with Marshall & Stevens.

More than 100 students participated in this year’s RFP Competition. Cal State Fullerton took the top spot, followed by Cal State Long Beach, and CPP. Teams spent the day at PIMCO headquarters in Newport Beach, Calif.

“Our team is the only team cheered on by such dedicated alumni,” Yu said. “Professor Tomkoria must have done magical things that make the SMIF program more than a learning platform.”

Tomkoria (’84, MBA) has been involved with the SMIF program since its inception. The 2017 CBA Distinguished Alumni Award recipient has become a coach, mentor, and more to BAM and SMIF students. The 2020 CBA McPhee Scholar and valedictorian Zachary Winkle Zachary says that he is “blessed and abundantly grateful for the support of Professors Tomkoria, Yu, and Muhtaseb.” Without them, he claims that he would not be in his current, fortunate position. Other alumni attendees included Joseph Bairl (Capital Group), Michael Monroy (PIMCO), and Victor Miller (Research Affiliates).