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Study information

Banking and Financial Services

Module titleBanking and Financial Services
Module codeBEAM033
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Professor Angela Christidis (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

300

Module description

Summary:

Banks and financial services enable end-providers (lenders and savers) and end-users (borrowers and spenders) of financial claims to transact without the need for them to do so directly. This module sets out to examine the process of financial intermediation and the financial services through which intermediation takes place. Theoretical and applied concepts are used to provide an understanding of the functioning of banks and financial services and of their size and economic significance. There are no pre- or co-requisites but prior knowledge in introductory finance would be an advantage.

 

Additional Information:

 

Internationalisation

Students are presented with up-to-date examples from various international markets, so they acquire knowledge on banking and financial services that can be applied across a number of countries.

 

External Engagement

We have number of guest speakers in this module. Last year this included the South West Agent of Bank of England, the Head and Deputy Head of Corporate Banking at HSBC Bank Plc.

 

Employability

Students develop several transferable skills in this module, such as team-working, numeracy, research and discursive and problem-solving skills.

 

Sustainability

Students learn to embed green and sustainable finance principles and practice into their advice, analysis, actions and decision.


All of the resources for this module are available through the ELE (Exeter Learning Environment). 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of the module is to introduce you to the principles and mechanisms of commercial banking, general insurance, life insurance, pension funds and mutual funds. You will also understand the models of money supply, interest rates and flow of funds as the primary conduit through which monetary policy actions by the central bank take place. Green and sustainable finance principles and practice will sit alongside credit, risk, operations, technology and ethics as key aspects of banking and financial services. International examples will be covered, including up-to-date financial news in relevant financial publications. You will also critically appraise bank-based financial crises, with a particular focus on the recent financial crisis. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. critically appraise the operation of commercial banks and institutional investors within the international financial system;
  • 2. apply adverse selection and moral hazard to banking and financial services in ethical dimensions of decision-making process;
  • 3. appraise models explaining the determinants of credit, money supply and interest rates;
  • 4. explain and critically appraise bank-based financial crises in developed countries and emerging markets;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 5. critically appraise theory and practice in finance;
  • 6. analyse quantitative and qualitative information related to finance problems;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 7. apply green and sustainable finance principles and practice in decision-making;
  • 8. demonstrate independent research and study skills and apply to contemporary real-world issues.

Syllabus plan

• Financial structure, financial intermediation, banking and finance myths
• General insurance
• Life insurance
• Pension funds
• Mutual funds
• Money and credit
• Interest rates and the flow of funds
• Commercial banks
• Global financial crisis 

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
321180

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities20 (2 per week) Lectures
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities6 (1 per week) Seminars
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities6 Study Skills workshops, guest lectures
Guided independent study118Reading and research, web-based activities

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Online MCQ tests and applied exercises Weekly (1 hour)1-8Feedback in class; solutions and comments on ELE
Engagement with online discussion forum in relation to relevant areas Online discussion contributions 1-8In-class and online discussion feedback from peers and lecturer

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
70300

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
In-term test3050 minutes1-6Indicative answers
Assignment702500 words1-8Written Feedback from lecturer
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
In-term test (30%) In-term test (50 minutes, 30%) 1-6August/September assessment period
Assignment (70%)Assignment (2,500 words, 70%) 1-8August/September assessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic Reading:

 

Mishkin, F.S. (2022). Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets: Global Edition. 13th edition. Pearson Higher Education. (CORE)
Mishkin, F.S. and Eakins, S.G. (2023) Financial Markets and Institutions, Global Edition. 10th edition. Pearson Higher Education. (CORE)
Mishkin F.S., Matthews, K., and Giuliodori, M. (2013), The Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets: European edition, Pearson Higher Education. (ISBN-10: 0273731807 • ISBN-13: 9780273731801 (CORE)
Howells, P. and Bain, K. (2008) The Economics of Money, Banking & Finance, 4th edition, Financial Times Press. (CORE)

 

Web-based and electronic resources:

All lecture and tutorial materials are posted on the intranet.

ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

 

Other resources:

Supplementary reading materials are indicated in the references of each lecture.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

All lecture and tutorial materials are posted on the intranet.

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Supplementary reading materials are indicated in the references of each lecture.

Key words search

financial intermediation, commercial banks, insurance companies, pension funds, mutual funds, money supply, financial crisis

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

17/07/2014

Last revision date

21/04/2024