ID:
ECO0358
Duration (hours):
68
CFU:
8
SSD:
ECONOMIA DEGLI INTERMEDIARI FINANZIARI
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (15/09/2025 - 12/12/2025)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course gives basic elements about the structure and the functioning of markets and financial intermediaries. Specific topics also relate to structure, activities, and operational tools of banking, insurance, and markets intermediaries, and basic elements for securities’ valuation as well. The course gives also basic information about costs and yield of 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;
- detect and describe main differences among financial contracts (banking, insurance and pensions, and market instruments) and their linkage to families and firms’ financial needs;
- describe operating activities, revenues and costs for banks, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries (e.g., asset management firms, specialized financial and credit intermediaries);
- describe and analyze objectives and activities of regulation and supervision on financial intermediaries and markets.
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.
- evaluate risk and return of simple financial securities and understand main topics on the functioning of financial system (risks and performance drivers).
After attending the course, the student will be able to:
- describe and analyze different functions of financial markets and intermediaries and linkages among them;
- detect and describe main differences among financial contracts (banking, insurance and pensions, and market instruments) and their linkage to families and firms’ financial needs;
- describe operating activities, revenues and costs for banks, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries (e.g., asset management firms, specialized financial and credit intermediaries);
- describe and analyze objectives and activities of regulation and supervision on financial intermediaries and markets.
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.
- evaluate risk and return of simple financial securities and understand main topics on the functioning of financial system (risks and performance drivers).
Course Prerequisites
Attending the course is easier for students with basic knowledge of management, micro and macroeconomics, financial maths, private and commercial law.
Teaching Methods
The course will have face-to-face lessons, given by the official teacher.
In the e-learning page students will also find slides and other online materials.
Seminars and other initiatives on specific topics in the course could be organized. In the e-learning page students will find a simulation of the examination test, for their self -evaluation. These results will not be evaluated by the teacher.
In the e-learning page students will also find slides and other online materials.
Seminars and other initiatives on specific topics in the course could be organized. In the e-learning page students will find a simulation of the examination test, for their self -evaluation. These results will not be evaluated by the teacher.
Assessment Methods
The final exam will be in presence.
The final exam consists of a written test including 4 open-ended questions (approx.. 45% of the final grade) and 12 multiple-choice/closed-ended questions (approx. 55% of the final grade).
In the case of students that can take the remote exam (exceptions are reported within the University’s guidelines), the final exam will have the same structure and will be prepared as an online quiz via the e-learning platform.
A minimum score of 18 out of 30 is required to pass the exam.
Mid-term exams will be scheduled according to the academic calendar.
The first mid-term exam will cover topics analyzed in Part I of the course (approx. the first 30 hours of lectures). Students who pass the first mid-term exam will be eligible to take the second mid-term exam.
Both mid-term exams are in presence.
Each includes 2 open-ended questions and 6 multiple-choice/closed-ended questions to be completed within 30 minutes.
The same structure applies to mid-term remote exams, via the e-learning platform.
The first mid-term exam is considered passed with a score of at least 9 out of 15 points; the second one is considered passed with a score of at least 10 out of 17 points.
The final grade will be the sum of the scores obtained in both mid-term exams, provided that both have been passed.
There is no difference in course and exam program between attending and non-attending students.
No other forms of evaluation can be applied.
The final exam consists of a written test including 4 open-ended questions (approx.. 45% of the final grade) and 12 multiple-choice/closed-ended questions (approx. 55% of the final grade).
In the case of students that can take the remote exam (exceptions are reported within the University’s guidelines), the final exam will have the same structure and will be prepared as an online quiz via the e-learning platform.
A minimum score of 18 out of 30 is required to pass the exam.
Mid-term exams will be scheduled according to the academic calendar.
The first mid-term exam will cover topics analyzed in Part I of the course (approx. the first 30 hours of lectures). Students who pass the first mid-term exam will be eligible to take the second mid-term exam.
Both mid-term exams are in presence.
Each includes 2 open-ended questions and 6 multiple-choice/closed-ended questions to be completed within 30 minutes.
The same structure applies to mid-term remote exams, via the e-learning platform.
The first mid-term exam is considered passed with a score of at least 9 out of 15 points; the second one is considered passed with a score of at least 10 out of 17 points.
The final grade will be the sum of the scores obtained in both mid-term exams, provided that both have been passed.
There is no difference in course and exam program between attending and non-attending students.
No other forms of evaluation can be applied.
Contents
Part I - The financial system: functions, intermediaries, markets, and regulation (40 hours).
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)
9. The value of the money and the evaluation of financial securities (6 hours)
10. Bond and debt securities and stocks (6 hours)
11. Firms’ and households’ financial needs and choices (4 hours)
12. Financial operations (4 hours)
A detailed timetable for lessons and topics will be published in the course e-learning page (https://elearning3.uninsubria.it).
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)
9. The value of the money and the evaluation of financial securities (6 hours)
10. Bond and debt securities and stocks (6 hours)
11. Firms’ and households’ financial needs and choices (4 hours)
12. Financial operations (4 hours)
A detailed timetable for lessons and topics will be published in the course e-learning page (https://elearning3.uninsubria.it).
Course Language
Italian
More information
Office hours are generally held on a weekly basis, except during public holidays and the month of August. Please refer to teacher’s web page for timetable.
Students are also reminded that the Department of Economics offers a tutoring service to support exam preparation. All information and tutor contact details are available at: https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco
Students are also reminded that the Department of Economics offers a tutoring service to support exam preparation. All information and tutor contact details are available at: https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco
Degrees
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Economia e management dell'innovazione e della sostenibilità
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