ICM131-Stakeholders and the Business of Finance

Module Provider: ICMA Centre
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: t.moore@icmacentre.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module seeks to establish a wide-ranging, substantive foundation for the study of financial regulation through developing a strategic understanding of the financial sector’s landscape, the business and underlying activities of a broad range regulated financial entities and the allied risks as evaluated from a stakeholder perspective. This module is for students studying the MSc in Regulation and Compliance (Degree Apprenticeship) only.

Aims:

This module seeks to establish a wide-ranging, substantive foundation for the study of financial regulation through developing a strategic understanding of the financial sector’s landscape, the business and underlying activities of a broad range regulated financial entities and the allied risks as evaluated from a stakeholder perspective 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students should be able to: 

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the mainstream, critical, and emerging approaches to the theory and practice of financial intermediation and the role of the financial sector within the real economy. 


• Examine the different risk types, how they can be mitigated, and the consequences if they crystallise for stakeholders and the real economy. 


• Analyse the causes an d consequences of financial intermediary failure, both in historical events and in the context of more major crisis, and evaluate the perils to stakeholders where relevant. 


• Reflect on the role of regulation and compliance in ensuring that finance benefits the whole economy and society 

Additional outcomes:

Students should also: 

• Understand the structure of the programme (including how the apprenticeship and professional qualification are integrated with the academic content) 


• Be aware of the nature of the assessments and best practice for essay writing and sitting exams.

Outline content:

This is the first module of the programme and sets out the broader context of finance, regulation and compliance. It starts by exploring the overarching architecture of the financial sector and how finance can affect a wide range of stakeholders. Students will then consider the activities undertaken by financial intermediaries, the risks created by financial intermediation and how they can be mitigated, and the costs of financial crises when risks do crystallise. Finally, it will end by refle cting on why regulation is essential to ensure that finance works for society as a whole. 

There are eight core lectures supplemented by seminars and workshops: 

1. What (good) is finance? 


2. Who are stakeholders? 


3. Financial intermediation 


4. Credit and liquidity risk 


5. Market and model risk 


6. Conduct and operational risk 


7. Financial crises? 


8. Why regulate?

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Taught content for this module will primarily be delivered through lectures and syndicated learning, which will be delivered in four full-day sessions either at Henley Business School or at a central London location. Relevant materials and learning will be shared through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that is intended to facilitate and aid the students’ learning journey within the MSc Programme. Students will also be expected to conduct substantial guided independent learning using materials available via the university library. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One two hour closed book exam (weighted at 60% of the final mark) 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 2,000 word coursework essay on a set topic, due the week following the final class. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will prepare a group presentation for the final class 

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50% weighted average mark

Reassessment arrangements:

Two hour closed book resit exam during the University resit period 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 15 April 2020