Module ECON2281: Banking and Financial Technology

Department: Economics and Finance

ECON2281: Banking and Financial Technology

Prerequisites

• ECON1131 Foundations of Finance

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• 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 evalute core concepts in banking and financial technology.

Content

• 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 management
• Regulations in Banking
• Innovation in financial services: product and process innovation
• Fintech business models and implications for traditional banking
• Digital banking strategy & ecosystem
• Peer-to-peer banking models
• Payment systems

Learning Outcomes

• 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 management.
• 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.

• 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.

• Students will have the opportunity to develop the following key skills:
• Problem Solving and Analysis - e.g. 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 and answering examination questions.
• Numeracy - e.g. 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 - e.g. by revising relevant material and preparing for the examination.
• Computer Literacy - e.g., by accessing, and downloading teaching material from DUO, undertaking bibliographical search and information retrieval for seminars and assignments.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching is by lectures and seminars. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminar classes and private study.
• 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 a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two essays of 1000 words (one in each term).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University