Ran Chen, EA, CFP®

Open Exam Prep

Education EN ↓ 349 episodes

Open Exam Prep: Mastering Financial ExamsThe path to becoming a certified financial professional is known for its difficulty, and finding high-quality, accessible study material shouldn't be the hardest part. Created by Ran Chen—an AI application enthusiast, Financial Advisor, and holder of the EA (Tax), Life Insurance, Series 6/63/65, and CFP® designations—this podcast was born from personal experience. Having navigated these challenging exams himself, Ran realized the need for better resources and created Open Exam Prep as a free solution for aspiring professionals. Each episode breaks down...

Author

Ran Chen, EA, CFP®

Episodes

[SIE] 24, Bond Risks - Interest Rate and Credit 01.01.2026 3:15

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - How interest rate changes inversely affect existing bond prices. - Using...

[SIE] 23, Municipal Bond Taxation 31.12.2025 3:51

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The federal tax-exempt status of municipal bond interest. - How state and...

[SIE] 22, Municipal Bonds - Revenue Bonds 30.12.2025 3:40

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam exam. In this episode you will learn: - The difference between revenue bonds and general obligation (GO) bon...

[SIE] 21, Municipal Bonds - General Obligation 29.12.2025 3:33

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The fundamental difference between General Obligation (GO) bonds and reve...

[SIE] 20, Government Agency Securities 28.12.2025 4:07

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The key differences between GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC. - Why GNMA securities...

[SIE] 19, U.S. Treasury Securities 27.12.2025 4:10

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - Differentiating T-bills, T-notes, and T-bonds by maturity and interest pa...

[SIE] 18, Types of Corporate Bonds 26.12.2025 3:43

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam exam. In this episode you will learn: - The difference between secured bonds backed by assets and unsecured...

[SIE] 17, Bond Pricing and Yields 25.12.2025 4:03

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The inverse relationship between bond prices and interest rates, often co...

[SIE] 16, Corporate Bonds Fundamentals 24.12.2025 4:17

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The definitions of par value, coupon rate, and maturity date for corporat...

[SIE] 15, Rights and Warrants 23.12.2025 3:51

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The primary purpose of preemptive rights in protecting existing sharehold...

[SIE] 14, Types of Preferred Stock 22.12.2025 4:02

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The key features of cumulative preferred stock and how dividend arrears a...

[SIE] 13, Preferred Stock Basics 21.12.2025 3:17

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The dual nature of preferred stock as a hybrid security, blending feature...

[SIE] 12, Common Stock - Dividends and Splits 20.12.2025 3:39

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The four key dates associated with cash dividend payments. - How to deter...

[SIE] 11, Common Stock Fundamentals 19.12.2025 3:28

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The difference between statutory and cumulative voting rights. - Why comm...

[SIE] 10, Market Participants 18.12.2025 3:55

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam exam. In this episode you will learn: - The distinct roles of broker-dealers, investment advisers, and marke...

[SIE] 9, The Underwriting Process 17.12.2025 3:40

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The key differences between firm commitment and best efforts underwriting...

[SIE] 8, Types of Securities Offerings 16.12.2025 3:26

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The difference between a primary offering (IPO) and a secondary offering...

[SIE] 7, Fiscal Policy 15.12.2025 3:36

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The definition of fiscal policy as the government's tool for managing the...

[SIE] 6, Monetary Policy Tools 14.12.2025 3:50

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - How the Federal Reserve uses open market operations by buying or selling...

[SIE] 5, The Federal Reserve System 13.12.2025 4:00

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The decentralized structure of the Federal Reserve System, including the...

[SIE] 4, Business Cycles 12.12.2025 3:39

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The four phases of the business cycle: expansion, peak, contraction, and...

[SIE] 3, Economic Indicators 11.12.2025 3:43

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The difference between leading, lagging, and coincident economic indicato...

[SIE] 2, Primary vs Secondary Markets 10.12.2025 3:29

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam exam. In this episode you will learn: - The core function of the primary market as the source of new capital...

[SIE] 1, Introduction to Capital Markets 09.12.2025 3:12

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and CFP designation. He is passionate about opening up information to help everyone prepare better for financial certification exams. This episode covers content for the SIE Exam. In this episode you will learn: - The fundamental role of capital markets in connecting investors with busi...

[Investment] 10, Market Indices 11.04.2025 3:51

Dow Jones is price-weighted, while S&P 500 is value-weighted, reflecting different market aspects. -- The CFP Exam is known for its difficulty, and as I embark on this learning journey, I’ve found it to be quite challenging. I created this podcast to document my study notes, and I hope you find them helpful in your own preparation. -- More Exam Prep Content Visit: https://open-exam-prep.com/