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The SMIF (student-managed investment fund) team dedicated months of research and analysis to claim victory
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Cal Poly Pomona’s Bronco Asset Management (BAM) team earned first place in the CFA Orange County Chapter’s RFP competition, also known as the Student Managed Investment Fund competition, held in November at PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company LLC) headquarters in Newport Beach, California.
The BAM team excelled in a competitive field that included CSU Fullerton (second place), CSU Long Beach (third place), UC Irvine (fourth place), USC, Biola University and UC Riverside. The first-place finish reflects months of preparation and the team’s commitment to research, financial analysis, portfolio construction, report writing and presentation development. Over the course of three months, students demonstrated discipline, collaboration and professionalism that distinguished them among peer institutions.
The team was advised by Professor Pawan Tomkoria, whose mentorship played a central role in the group’s success. “This win reflects the tremendous learnings and massive work put in by an incredible group of our students, I could not be more proud of them. Our victory also stems from the wonderful support SMIF receives from Dr. Yu and the FRL Department,” said Tomkoria, professor in the Department of Finance, Real Estate and Law and faculty advisor for Bronco Asset Management.
Additional support came from faculty within the Finance, Real Estate and Law Department, who provided feedback and insights as the team refined its presentation. Associate College of Business Administration Dean Cheryl Wyrick also attended the competition and supported the students in person.
Congratulations to all our Cal Poly Pomona students who participated in the competition:
| “Our students have represented our program and our university with distinction,” said Wei Yu, professor and chair of the Department of Finance, Real Estate and Law. “This was a win powered by smart students, strong teamwork, and excellent mentorship. Our Bronco Asset Management (BAM) team rose to the top, and faculty advisor Professor Pawan Tomkoria deserves special recognition for helping them sharpen their strategy and build confidence, and The FRL Department and the SMIF Program are grateful for the Dean’s Office’s ongoing support of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab.” |  |
