The course gives basic elements about the structure and the functioning of markets and financial intermediaries. Specific topics also relates to sctructure, activities, and operational tools of banking, insurance, and markets intermediaries, and basic elements for financial securities’ valuation as well. The course gives also basic information about financial instruments, banking and insurance contracts and financial market operations. After attending the course, the student will be able to describe and analyze: - different functions of financial markets and intermediaries and linkages among them; - main differences among financial contracts (banking, insurance and pensions, and market instruments) and their linkage to families and firms’ financial needs; - operating activities, revenues and costs for banks, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries (e.g., asset management firms, specialized financial and credit intermediaries); - objectives and activities of regulation and supervision on financial intermediaries and markets.
Course Prerequisites
Attending the course is easier for students with basic knowledge of management, micro and macro-economics, financial maths, private and commercial law. Moreover, at the end of the course the student will be able to understand and use main financial technical terms. The student will be able to understand, summarize and critically evaluate specific literature and financial news on fundamental financial topics. The students will be able to evaluate risk and return of simple financial securities and understand main topics on the functioning of financial system (risks and performance drivers).
Teaching Methods
The course will be delivered over a total of 60 hours of teaching: 48 hours synchronous teaching (20 hours in presence and 28 hours distance learning) and 12 hours of teaching asynchronous
Assessment Methods
Final written test, which lasts an hour and a half, divided in 10 questions. It is most important to demonstrate the ability to critically analyze the contents and make connections with economic context.
Contents
Part I – The financial system: functions, intermediaries, markets, and regulation (40 hours, 6 CFU/ECTS) 1. Main functions of the financial system (8 hours) 2. Financial contracts and risks related to banking and financial intermediation (4 hours) 3. Intermediation function (12 hours) 4. Money and payment systems (2 hours) 5. Transmission mechanism of monetary policy (some remarks) (2 hours) 6. Financial markets: some definitions (3 hours) 7. Financial intermediaries (6 hours) 8. Regulation and supervision (3 hours)
Part II – Financial instruments, products, and financial services (20 hours, 3 CFU/ECTS) 9. Financial operations (2 hours) 10. The value of the money and the evaluation of financial securities (8 hours) 11. Firms’ and households’ financial needs and choices (5 hours) 12. Bond and debt securities and stocks (5 hours)
Course Language
Italian
More information
The lecturer meets the students according to a specific timetable published on the e-learning platform of the course. Please check also this opportunity https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco
