FINANCE 383 : Banking and Financial Institutions
Business and Economics
2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course acts as a bridge for those thinking of going on to honours and those interested in pursuing careers in central banking and the financial services sector. It therefore involves class discussion focusing on current financial market developments including new technologies and their implications and where active student participation is expected. Lecture slides and pre-recordings, case studies and other associated material should be studied before coming to class. Lectures are designed to stimulate critical thinking on issues arising either directly or indirectly from these notes, other relevant material and discuss world wide events that impact financial markets and institutions. We invite guest speakers from industry from time to time for students to connect theories with industry practices. Please note that this is NOT your typical undergraduate course. Given the changing industry landscape with Articial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics, this course is designed to challenge your way of thinking about financial concepts and applications to the industry and of articulating your own views. It is increasingly important to not just understand concepts but be able to reect and analyse them moving beyond supercial interpretations. If you stay in the course you will enjoy it as many students have done in the past. Students are expected to participate in lively in-class debates and contribute their views to topics discussed in class.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe what modern banks and other financial institutions do, what services they offer, how the payments system works, and discuss new technologies and trends in banking, and issues of sustainability. (Capability 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1)
- Explain the different types of risk faced by banks and the importance of risk management. (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
- Evaluate the role of central banks in theory and practice in relation to monetary policy and banking supervision and regulation. (Capability 3.2, 4.1 and 5.2)
- Describe how micro and macroprudential regulation and supervision can be used to attenuate the build-up of financial risks and avert financial crises. (Capability 3.2 and 4.1)
- Explain the reasons for bank failures and the resolution mechanisms for failed banks. (Capability 3.1 and 4.2)
- Apply teamwork and independent learning skills and strategies to produce a group video presentation in the context of banking and reflect on the teamwork process. (Capability 3.1, 6.1, 7.1 and 8.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | 20% | Individual Test |
| Test 2 | 25% | Individual Test |
| Test 3 | 20% | Individual Test |
| Group Assignment | 10% | Group Coursework |
| Quizzes | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Workshops | 10% | Group Coursework |
| 6 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Test 1 | ||||||||||
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| Test 3 | ||||||||||
| Group Assignment | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Workshops | ||||||||||
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, on average, you can expect three hours of lectures, a one hour tutorial, three hours of reading and thinking about the content and three hours of work on the quizzes, test preparation and/or the assignment. It will vary across individual students and across time although workload is not expected to be above normal for a level 3 undergraduate paper. It is important to attend lectures and tutorials, and actively participate in discussion.
Delivery Mode
This course is designed to encourage and develop independent student thinking. Class sessions will incorporate a variety of interactive content including discussion, exercises and guest lecturers.
Assessments will be designed to test your understanding of and ability to apply information and concepts. This means you should expect the assessments to include applications and situations not directly covered in class or in the textbook.
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tests, workshops and tutorials to complete components of the course. Lecture slides and pre-recordings, case studies and other associated materials will be available before lectures. Workshops are in class group discussions on selected topics. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Students feedback is always welcome as this helps us to improve the course.
Please note that the delivery mode and structure for this course may differ from other stage 3 courses and aim to incentivise independent student thinking. See the delivery mode section for more information.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
If you cannot sit a test and have an excuse based on sickness, bereavement or other important reasons consistent with the University policy on assessments, you will be given an oral test in lieu at a pre-arranged time no later than 7 days after the time of the test.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.