Financial Institutions and Markets (N1634)

15 credits, Level 4

Spring teaching

On this module, you'll explore the role of financial institutions in society, including banks, insurance companies and investment managers. You’ll gain an understanding of major financial markets and products, examining how they connect with the institutions covered earlier in the module. You'll also discuss the behaviour of financial institutions and ethical principles of finance.

Topics include:

  • introduction to finance, its purpose, and origins
  • commercial banks: risks, capital adequacy, regulation, deposit insurance and Islamic finance
  • investment banks: market roles, divisional analysis, shadow finance and leasing
  • insurance: life and health, principal-agent problems, regulations and market crises
  • investment managers: mutual funds, hedge funds, private equity,and venture capital
  • debt markets: term structures, leverage cycles, rating agencies and consumer protection
  • equity markets: stock exchanges, corporations and capital raising
  • real estate: REITs, mortgages, securitisation, and boom-bust cycles
  • securitisation
  • financial crises and regulation: historical and recent crises, and regulatory reforms.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: