FINN2051: Banking and Financial Technology

• Foundations of Finance (FINN1011)

• None

• None

• This module introduces students to key concepts in banking and the purpose of banks as financial intermediaries. It also discusses institutional details of financial technologies related to banks and implications for the financial and banking system. Students will learn frameworks and obtain skills needed to understand and critically evaluate core concepts in banking and financial technology.

• The role of financial intermediation and the function of banks.
• Types of banks and business models.
• Bank balance sheet, funding structure and lending.
• Bank risk measurement.
• Regulations in Banking.
• Fintech business models and implications for traditional banking.
• Digital disruption in banking.
• Peer-to-peer banking models.
• Machine learning in banking.
• Blockchain technologies, payment systems and digital currencies.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of this module students should:
• Have a critical understanding of the role of banks in the financial system and their business models.
• Understand the motivation behind bank regulation and risk measurement.
• Be able to discuss in an informed way the trends and developments in financial technology and their implications for the traditional role of banks.
• Be familiar with contemporary FinTech business models.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to explain and critically evaluate the purpose of banks and their fundamentals from balance sheet information.
• Practical assessment of financial technology driven business models and their impact on the banking sector.
• Argue the case for and against the need and the specifics of financial regulation of banks

Key Skills:

• Students will have the opportunity to develop the following key skills:
• Problem Solving and Analysis - by applying the necessary analytical and quantitative skills, as well as the ability to demonstrate understanding and manipulate core concepts in banking and finance, in undertaking seminar work.
• Numeracy - by applying core mathematical and statistical skills to answer a range of seminar and examination questions.
• Interpersonal and Written Communication communication ideas in exams and seminar discussions.
• Planning and Organisation and Time Management - by revising relevant material and preparing for the examination.
• Computer Literacy - by accessing and downloading teaching material from Learn Ultra, undertaking bibliographical search and information retrieval for seminars and assignments.

• Teaching is by workshop sessions utlising a flipped classroom approach. Learning takes place through attendance at workshops, preparation for and participation in group activities in the workshops and private study through provided material (e.g. reading, recorded videos).
• Regular formative assessments guide students in the development of their knowledge and skills. They also support students continuous engagement in learning throughout the module.
• Summative assessment is by means of two individual coursework assignments (one banking, one financial technology).

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