Bank Management and Technology Postgraduate Taught - October 2024/25* Entry

Module Director: Jon Williams 
Available Routes: Elective Module: All Routes

Module Overview

The module addresses the current rapid changes in banking technology and the disruptive impact of new ‘fintech’ start-ups, challenging conventional bank business models. The focus is on the interaction of technology (cryptography, mobile banking, AI and machine learning), regulation (e.g. the EU PSD2) and changing business models. A broad issue will be the extent to which new technology is leading to disintermediation of traditional banking functions and to what extent resulting in a co-operation between banks and new non-bank technology-based companies. The lectures will focus on two business areas where the new technologies are having the biggest impact: (i) domestic and international payments; (ii) small business and unsecured personal credit, including trade and supply chain finance. They will also provide a discussion of the public policy and strategic issues in financial technology – in particular the interaction of regulation and innovation in banking technology; and the prospective change in co-operative and shared institutions such as the international card companies Visa and Mastercard and the international payments network Swift. The first three lectures will provide an overview of new payments providers, looking at international payments, and at the rapidly evolving landscape of domestic C2B and B2B payments. A supporting case study will examine the role of the major card companies Visa and Mastercard. The next two lectures will look at technology based ‘non-bank lending’ especially the role of P2P or market place lenders and also invoice and other forms of supply chain finance & the extent to which credit may be supplied entirely outside of the banking system. The final lectures will look at the changing financial technologies from a public policy and strategic perspective, critically examining the role of regulation in both support of and as a barrier to innovation, and the impact of technology on the banking landscape in the years ahead.

Module Aims & Objectives

On completing this module students will:

• Be aware of the leading technology-based companies in financial technology and how they are challenging banks in payments services and lending around the world
• Understand examine how technology, regulation and business context together shape the opportunities for technological innovation in banking
• Have critically examined the strategic and public policy issues raised by the new technologies, including the application of competition law and policy and the extent to which technology leads to new forms of industry competition and co-operation

Key Text

There is no up to date textbook. Students will be guided to relevant research and industry analysis.

Means of Assessment

This module is assessed by means of a single mini project of 3,500 words in length

Unit One: Payment systems and new payment technologies
Unit Two: Credit technologies and alternative lending
Unit Three: The public policy and strategic implications of the new technologies

Module Director: Ian Roberts
Available Route: CBMBA Full Programme, Accelerated and Super-Accelerated (MBA) Routes, CertBMT

Module Overview:

This module explores the key areas surrounding Credit and Lending, starting with the relationship between the banker & customer, through business lending procedures and ends with credit risk practices for each type of bank (retail, business and commercial). Students studying the module will develop a detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of credit and lending in the banking industry and will also develop a range of banking skills, techniques and practices at a professional level.

Module Aims & Objectives:

On completing this module, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an extensive, detailed and critical knowledge of the legal aspects of the banker – customer relationship
• Describe in detail the principles of lending and the main lending and credit products
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the procedures for taking a range of securities for advances
• Exercise a range of business banking lending skills, techniques and practices and interpret and assess business accounts, including identifying, formulating and solving business problems and assessing and managing risk in a business banking context
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of diligence and bankruptcy
• Demonstrate an extensive, detailed and critical understanding of how the credit risk functions, and how it plays its part in managing risk for a banking business

Means of Assessment:

This module is assessed by means of an individual assignment (40%) and examination (60%)

Unit 1 covers: The aim of Unit 1 is to introduce Credit and Lending and to explain the main themes that run throughout the module. The structure of the module is outlined, and the main text introduced. An overview is provided of Credit Risk Management and its role in the modern financial services industry. The imperative is on a structured and practical approach to maximise profitability within the Lending portfolio. These issues are explored as important themes in modern Credit Risk Management. A fundamental approach of this module is that Credit and Lending is a central element of practical bank financial management. Indeed, a high percentage of most Commercial Banks assets are employed in the Lending portfolio. The module recommended textbook adopts the same practical approach. This approach enables Credit and Lending to be explored within its most appropriate bank strategic and managerial function, bank financial management.

Unit 2 covers: The aim of Unit 2 Part 1 is to introduce Retail Credit- Small Business Lending and to explain several tools and techniques to assist the Lender in the evaluation of Credit risk. We will review the economic setting and importance of the SME sector. The imperative is again on a structured and practical approach to maximize profitability within the Lending portfolio.

The aim of Unit 2 Part 2 is to introduce Large Company analysis and valuation; together with Stock Market performance indicators and the use of financial models to predict corporate distress. The imperative is again on a structured and practical approach to maximize profitability within the Lending portfolio. These issues are explored as important themes in modern Credit risk management. A fundamental approach of this module is that Credit and Lending is a central element of practical bank financial management.

Unit 3 covers: The aim of Unit 3 is to examine in Part 1 of this unit the specialised lending topic of structured finance and project finance. In part 2, to examine the specialised lending topic of Object Finance and to understand how financial engineering techniques can reduce the cost of capital in these complex financing projects. The imperative is again on a structured and practical approach to maximise profitability within the Lending portfolio. These issues are explored as important themes in modern Credit risk management.

Key Textbook:

Checkley, K., & Dickinson, K. (2018). Credit Masterclass (1st ed., Vol. 1). Credit Skills Academy. Ethics, Regulation & Compliance Information to follow – new module merge

Module Director: Danial Hemmings
Available Routes: Core Module CBMBA Full Programme, Accelerated and Super Accelerated (non MBA) Routes

Module Overview:

Banks and financial markets are inherently vulnerable to crises and how policy makers and institutions have responded to these circumstances is investigated and questioned. The ethical principles and expected professional standards within key financial services areas including lending, investment and trading are explored, as are the role of individuals, organisations and corporate governance arrangements in financial services decision making. Compliance, risk management and corporate governance work as interrelated disciplines to provide essential regulatory assurance to the firm, and to improve the firm’s overall performance is critically examined.

Means of Assessment:

This module is assessed by means of an individual assignment (40%) and examination (60%).

Module Director: Edward Jones 
Available Routes: CBMBA Core Module - Full Programme, Accelerated and Super Accelerated Routes, CertBMT

Module Overview:

This module explores the risk management function in modern, shareholder owned banks. A fundamental approach adopted is that financial institutions risk management is a central element of practical bank financial management. In this context risk management is seen practically as linking risk-taking (an essential economic role of banking firms) and financial management (managing these risks and the respective risk and return trade-offs in the most efficient way). The nature, strategic context and management of bank risks are examined.

Module Aims & Objectives

On completing this module students will:

• Understand the role of risk management
• Be able to undertake a risk management role in their institution
• Understand the theories underpinning risk management
• Understand the regulations relating to risk management within the banking and financial services sector
• Understand their responsibilities under the regulations and how to meet them

Key Text:

Financial Institutions Management: A Risk Approach (9th Edition) Saunders, A & MillonCornett, M —McGraw Hill

Means of Assessment:

This module is assessed by means of an individual assignment (40%) and examination (60%)

Unit One covers:

An introduction to FIRM and explains the main themes that run throughout the module. The structure of the module is outlined, and the main text introduced. An overview is provided of banking and its role in the modern financial services industry. The nature of bank competition, regulation and their impact on FIRM are explored. Finally, the imperative on efficiency and marked-based valuation are explored as fundamental themes in modern FIRM.

Unit Two aims:

• To examine a bank’s main financial statements and their relationship to the risks inherent in banking
• To understand how a bank’s performance can be evaluated
• To understand the & banking significance of bank Asset and Liability Management and risk management
• To analyse the nature and BFM significance of interest rate risk and liquidity risk to BFM
• To examine the off-balance-sheet activities carried out by banks and to appreciate their BFM significance
• To consider the impact of the crisis (the ‘credit crunch’) on these areas
• To appreciate the impact of the credit crunch on the banking risks covered in this unit and, especially, on capital adequacy management and regulation
• To understand the nature and key importance of bank corporate governance

Unit Three aims:

• To examine the nature and role of product and geographic diversification within a bank’s risk management
• To examine and understand how banks use derivative contracts to hedge their asset-liability risk exposures
• To analyse how loan sales and securitisation techniques are used by bank managers to control credit risk
• To consider some further changes to the banking risk landscape in the wake of the credit crunch

• The Postgraduate Certificate is a flexible part-time course that is designed for the working professional. Each module offers 3, one hour long 'live' interactive online sessions through Blackboard Collaborate, and 5, one hour Panopto recorded lectures.
• Given the global reach of the programme, the interactive classes are organised at a time of day to accommodate the widest audience. This means that those in countries east of the UK will join afternoon or evening classes whilst those living to the west will join at mid-morning or lunchtime. Students who are unable to attend the live sessions can view the recordings.
• Study materials are accessed within the virtual learning platform Blackboard and include study guides, links to additional reading and e-core text.
• Examinations are computer-based and students are given the option to sit their assessment from the comfort of home or office as the technology allows for online proctoring. 

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