46626 - Financial Instruments and Services

Learning outcomes

The purpose of the course is to increase the knowledge of financial system. By the end of the course, students learn about financial choices on saving and investments, the microstructure of the securities industry and the economic equilibria of banks. Last, the students will understand financial supervisory goal, instruments and authorities.

Course contents

Introduction. The financial system and the real economy. The financial structure and the theory of financial intermediation. Financial system and a taxonomy of financial risks.

The financial instruments and financial markets. Monetary market, currency market, bond market, stock market and derivative market.

The financial intermediaries: lending intermediaries, securities intermediaries, insurance intermediaries.

The financial regulation and supervision on financial system.

Readings/Bibliography

Nadotti L., Porzio C., Previati D. (2017), Economia degli Intermediari Finanziari, III edizione, McGraw-Hill, up to page 542. Skip par. 5.2, chapter 8 and 9.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures and classes.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the course will be based on a midterm and a final exam. The structure of both tests is the same. Each of them will include 10 multiple choice questions (1 point each), 1 exercise or short answer question (6 points) to be answered in 40 minutes. The midterm (final) will be based on the first (last) 10 class sessions. Both class tests will be in the form of a closed-book exam, and no textbooks or notes will be allowed. The final grade of the course will be the sum of the grades of the 2 class tests. The highest score is 16 in both the midterm and the final, therefore the maximum overall grade is 32 (if greater than 30, it will be considered as 30 with honours).

Teaching tools

Il Sole 24 Ore Newspaper

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Cotugno