Learning objectives
The course aims to illustrate the structural characteristics of a financial system, providing the conceptual framework in order to understand the role of financial institutions in the economic system. At the end of the course students will acquire:
1) the knowledge necessary to understand the features and the development of the financial system in general, the aims and scope of financial supervision, the role and the economics of financial intermediaries, the characteristics of financial needs and of financial instruments;
2) the ability to apply knowledge in order to evaluate financial instruments used for investments, financial needs, payments and risk management;
3) the ability to judge the suitability of a financial system to the real problems of the economic system, even from the social and ethical point of view, and to choose the proper instruments to meet financial needs;
4) the ability to use a fair technical language;
5) learning skills through problem-solving method.
Prerequisites
Students are suggested to attend first year lessons before attending this course.
Course unit content
The course analyzes the role and the components of a financial system in order to evaluate the structure and the evolution of Italian financial system. In this perspective financial needs, instruments, markets, institutions, authorities and supervision policies are analyzed.
Full programme
1) The structure and role of the financial system; 2) The demand for financial services; 3) Valuation of financial instruments; 4) The payment system; 5) 2 Financial balances and financial intermediation; 6) Financial markets and the conditions of financial market efficiency; 7) Market imperfections and the role of financial institutions 8) The characteristics and the role of banks; 9) Non-banking financial institutions; 10) Insurance companies; 11) Financial system supervision: goals, authorities and tools.
Bibliography
Munari L., Gli strumenti finanziari e creditizi, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2015.
Ronchini B., Bocchialini E., Poletti L., Economia del sistema finanziario, Giappichelli, 2019.
Slides and any other additional material are on Elly (https://elly2020.sea.unipr.it/course/view.php?id=45).
Teaching methods
Knowledge and understanding: streaming lessons and topic-related videos. The main topics of the course will be pointed out during lessons.
Applying knowledge and understanding: exercises
Making judgments: students will be led to identify strengths and weaknesses of each financial instrument and intermediation model.
Learning skills: every topic will be discussed starting from the the problem / financial need and then analyzing the given solution.
Communication skills: the meaning of terms commonly used by the financial community will be explained.
Assessment methods and criteria
IN-CLASS EXAM:
Written examination
The knowledge of the main topics of the course will be assessed through 6 multiple-choice questions worth 2 marks each and 1 open question worth 6 marks. The knowledge of the other topics of the course will be assessed through one open question worth 6 marks.
The ability to apply knowledge will be assessed through 3 exercises for 2 marks each.
Communication skills, making judgments and learning skills will be assessed analyzing the answers to the 2 open questions cited above.
During the exam devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. are strictly forbidden.
The final grade is published in Esse3.
ONLINE EXAM:
The exam will be written and oral. Additional details will be communicated during the course.
The cum laude mark will be given to students that, in addition to the full mark, display a significant systematic knowledge of the topic, a significant ability to apply knowledge, a noticeable ability to make judgments, and a particular attention to the way contents are expressed.
Other information
The course material is on Elly (https://elly2020.sea.unipr.it/course/view.php?id=45).
