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Professionalism and Ethics

Module description

This module explores ethical and professional issues involved in banking. It starts by asking what ethics is, then investigates what specific ethical considerations operate in banking, and also explores whether banking should be professionalised to ensure those ethical considerations have an impact. The module will go on to look at what kind of regulation is needed in banking, and to explore the principles and values that underpin regulation. The module will then look at broader questions about ethics in business. Finally, you’ll investigate what the future holds in terms of ethical issues for banks, in areas such as artificial intelligence and sustainability for example.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to enhance your understanding of professionalism and ethics in this digital age of banking. In studying this module, you will develop your skills in relation to thinking critically about how ethical behaviour can be encouraged in banking, whether through codes of ethics, regulation, or good leadership. You will also explore how ethical demands might change with future developments, such as digital innovations and growing environmental pressures.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically reflect on the moral considerations that apply to bankers which derive from the nature of bank products and services, and the ways in which professionalising banking could help ensure those responsibilities are fulfilled.
• 2. Differentiate between a range of theories and approaches to ethical thinking and assess the extent to which these could help resolve ethical dilemmas and ethical arguments.
• 3. Examine the impact on banks, their customers, and their employees, of a range of legislation and regulation on current banking practice and the extent to which it is designed to rebuild trust and confidence in banks.
• 4. Differentiate between several views on the responsibilities of a business, and assess key ethical issues and challenges facing the banking sector.
• 5. Critically evaluate, from an ethical perspective the impact, and potential impact, of environmental factors and technological developments on current and future banking practice.
• 6. Critically assess a range of theories relating to the ethics of leadership and corporate governance in banking

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Assess the extent to which employer and professional bodies can help instil ethical value sin their employees and members
• 8. Reflect on the ways in which you might use ethical reasoning to challenge what you perceive to be unethical behaviour at work
• 9. Evaluate key arguments for and against the regulation and de-regulation of the banking sector based on various theories
• 10. assess the ways in which the responsibilities of a business relate to the rights and responsibilities of employees
• 11. assess the extent to which different views of leadership provide useful insights to what makes a good leader and what makes an ethically good leader

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 12. produce a reflective report drawing on work based information / examples
• 13. Improve written communication skills

Syllabus plan

• Banking and professionalism
• Ethical theory and ethical reasoning
• Regulation and legislation
• Business ethics
• Leadership, governance, culture and conduct
• The future of banking: artificial intelligence and sustainability

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Chartered Banker Institute (2019) Professionalism and ethics.

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Chartered Banker Institute (2018). Professionalism, Ethics and Regulation. Edinburgh: Chartered Banker Institute.

Key words search

Derivatives, Financial Professional Degree Apprenticeship, CISI, FCA