Unit information: Banking in 2025/26

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Banking
Unit code ACFIM0041
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Fabiana Gomez
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Accounting and Finance - Business School
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

This unit is essential for building a solid understanding of the financial sector. It serves as a fundamental framework for comprehending the workings of banking, which is integral to the global economy. Covering topics such as banking operations, risk management, regulatory frameworks, and emerging trends, the course provides practical insights into financial intermediation and credit assessment. It addresses contemporary challenges like banks’ sources of fragility, and regulatory changes, preparing students for the evolving financial landscape. By focusing on the practical aspects of banking, the course enhances students' analytical skills, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities. Overall, this unit equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate and contribute effectively to the dynamic world of banking.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

The Banking course seamlessly integrates into the MSc programmes. It provides students with a foundational understanding of financial systems, aligning with the program's overarching goal of fostering expertise in finance. The course strategically complements other modules by delving into essential aspects such as risk management, regulatory frameworks, and emerging trends in banking. Furthermore, the practical insights gained in financial intermediation and risk assessment directly contribute to the program's emphasis on real-world applications. This integration ensures that MSc students receive a well-rounded education, positioning them to excel in various financial roles upon completion of the program.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

The objective of the course is to understand the role of banks in the economy and the sources of fragility of the banking sector. It begins by introducing the main functions of banks in the economy. This is followed by the study of the economic literature about the existence of financial intermediaries. Then, the causes of financial crises are analysed: bank runs, contagion and endogenous risk. Next, the course focuses on the Subprime crisis to analyse its causes and consequences. The course ends with an analysis of banking regulation.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

Upon completion of the Banking course, students will experience a notable personal and professional transformation. Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of banking fundamentals, risk management, and regulatory frameworks, students will develop enhanced analytical skills and strategic thinking. The practical knowledge gained in financial intermediation and risk assessment will empower them to make well-informed decisions in real-world financial scenarios. This course focuses on core elements of banking, ensuring that students emerge with a practical skill set tailored to the demands of the financial industry.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able:

  1. To discuss the fundamentals of financial intermediaries.
  2. To identify the main source of risks of individual banks from their balance-sheets.
  3. To compare and critically analyse the performance of different banks.
  4. To recognize the main sources of fragility of the banking sector.
  5. To analyse economic problems behind bank runs and financial contagion.
  6. To appraise current bank regulation and the rationale behind it.

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of sessions including lectures, tutorials, and drop-in sessions.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

  • Multiple Choice Tests: Throughout the course, students will engage in formative assessments in the form of multiple-choice tests. These assessments are designed to help students evaluate their understanding of the course materials, identify areas where they need improvement, and reinforce their knowledge. Feedback will be provided immediately after completing each test. The timing of these assessments will be integrated into the course schedule, aligning with specific topics or modules.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

  • Group Coursework (1500 words - 20%): This assessment, designed to cover ILO2 and ILO3, allows students to work collaboratively to tackle a real-world banking scenario. It promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. The rationale for this assessment is to assess students' ability to apply the knowledge gained in the course to practical situations. Formative assessments and feedback provided during the course will help students prepare for this task.
  • Final Exam (2 hours - 80%): The summative assessment will be a comprehensive 2-hour exam, covering ILO1, ILO2, ILO3, ILO4, ILO5, and ILO6. This exam will evaluate students' understanding of the entire course content and their ability to synthesize and apply knowledge. The ratio of 80% for the final exam reflects its significance in assessing the depth of knowledge and understanding achieved during the course. The exam format will be explained in detail as the course progresses.

When assessment does not go to plan

When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed as follows:

  • Group Coursework Re-Assessment: Students who do not pass the group coursework will have the opportunity to undertake an individual piece of coursework (max 800 words) with a different scenario. This re-assessment will demonstrate their achievement of the original learning outcomes.
  • Final Exam Re-Assessment: For the final exam, the re-assessment will be of a like-for-like format. Students who require re-assessment will sit for an exam that covers the same learning outcomes as the original assessment.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ACFIM0041).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.