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CODE 66704
ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
CREDITS
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR SECS-P/11
LANGUAGE Italian
TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
SEMESTER 2° Semester
SECTIONING Questo insegnamento è diviso nelle seguenti frazioni:
  • A
  • B
  • PREREQUISITES
    Propedeuticità in ingresso
    Per sostenere l'esame di questo insegnamento è necessario aver sostenuto i seguenti esami:
    TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB

    OVERVIEW

    The teaching unit provides an introduction to the financial system. In particular, it analyses the
    functions of the financial system, the different institutions—markets and intermediaries—that
    compose it, and the instruments used.

     

     

    AIMS AND CONTENT

    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    The course aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of the financial system.  More specifically, the course covers topics such as the functions performed by the financial sector, the features of financial instruments and the main characteristics of financial institutions and markets. Students will understand how the financial sector meets the financial needs of households and businesses, such as investing, financing, making payments and/or managing risks.

    AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

    - Know the structure of the financial system, the main types of financial intermediaries, the
    characteristics of the main financial instruments, the functioning of financial markets, the
    supervisory architecture of the financial system in Europe and Italy, and the strategy and
    operational framework of European monetary policy, at the end of the teaching unit and
    based on lectures and business testimonials.
    - Be able to measure the return and risk of the main financial instruments, applying the
    acquired knowledge to exercises and cases proposed during lectures and in exams.
    - Be able to use the acquired knowledge to solve simple problems involving investment in
    financial assets and project financing, in simulated or real contexts presented in class or
    during exams.
    - Be able to measure the outcome of a transaction in derivative instruments and assess the
    appropriateness of risk hedging, through exercises and practical cases.
    - Be able to measure banks' exposure to credit, interest rate, market, liquidity, and leverage
    risks, using data and cases provided during the course.
    - Be able to analyse the financial statements of the main financial intermediaries by
    calculating appropriate ratios, on data provided in class or in exams.


    Learning outcomes according to the Dublin descriptors:
    1. Knowledge and understanding: acquire knowledge and understanding of the structure,
    functioning, and functions of the financial system, through lectures, business testimonials, and
    data analysis.
    2. Applying knowledge and understanding: apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of
    financial needs and the evaluation of solutions offered by the financial system, through
    exercises and practical cases.
    3. Making judgements: formulate independent judgements on the economic and managerial
    balance of financial intermediaries, based on data and cases discussed in class.
    4. Communication skills: use the technical language of the discipline to communicate with
    specialists and non-specialists, also through the use of information sources and databases.
    5. Learning skills: develop autonomous learning skills to further explore the main topics of the
    discipline, using bibliographic sources and updated data.

    PREREQUISITES

    It is mandatory to have passed the exams of Business Administration and Financial
    Mathematics before attending this teaching unit.

    TEACHING METHODS

    The teaching unit uses different methods, including lectures, case studies, business
    testimonials, individual and/or group assignments based on instructions provided by the
    instructor on Aulaweb, self-assessment tests, and instant polls as participatory teaching tools.
    Support is available for students with learning disabilities or special needs, according to
    University procedures. Attendance is not compulsory.

     

    SYLLABUS/CONTENT

    • Part I: FINANCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY AND THEORY OF FINANCIAL
      INTERMEDIATION
      - The financial system (overview); alternative technologies for fund transfer: banks and
      markets
      - Overview of financial instruments and markets
      - Concept of the financial system
      - The objective function of investors and fund borrowers
      - Economic functions performed by financial intermediaries
      Part II: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
      - Debt securities
      - Equity securities
      - Derivative instruments
      - Insurance and pension instruments
      - Payment instruments
      Part III: FINANCIAL MARKETS
      - Organisational forms of markets
      - Structure and functioning of Italian regulated markets
      Part IV: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES (activities, balance sheet, risks, supervision)
      - Banks
      - Investment firms
      - Insurance companies
      - Asset management companies

     

    RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

    Anthony Saunders, Marcia Cornett, and Otgo Erhemjamts(2022), "Financial Markets and Institutions", Mc-Graw-Hill,8th edition (but also 7th and 6th Editiona are fine), MCGraw- Hill.

     

    TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

    LESSONS

    LESSONS START

    Lessons start in the second semester. The detailed schedule is available on the Department website

     

    EXAMS

    EXAM DESCRIPTION

    The exam is written and can be taken during the scheduled exam sessions.

     

    ASSESSMENT METHODS

    The assignment includes multiple-choice questions; open questions; exercises and problems.

     

     

    FURTHER INFORMATION

    There are no limitations on the number of exam attempts per session. However, if the grade
    obtained in an exam is below 16/30, it will not be possible to retake the exam in the next
    session unless it is in a different exam period. For further information not included in this
    course description, please contact the instructor.

    Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals

    Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals
    Quality education
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Gender equality
    Decent work and economic growth
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industry, innovation and infrastructure
    Industry, innovation and infrastructure