About This Course
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.
Learning Outcomes
- Comprehend how the leading technology-based companies in financial technology are challenging banks in payments services and lending markets around the world.
- Critically examine the strategic and public policy issues raised by the new technologies in financial industries. This includes the application of competition law and policy and the extent to which technology leads to new forms of industry competition and co-operation.
- Understand examine how technology, regulation and business context together shape the opportunities for technological innovation in banking.
Learning Methods
This module is delivered through means of distance learning and on a part time basis, you can study at your own pace, no matter where you are in the world. A combination of interactive classes and recorded lectures are provided throughout the 6 months semester.
Blackboard is the virtual learning environment (VLE) used by Bangor University where each module benefits from a bespoke area within the platform where all study resources are held. Resources include study guides, e-textbooks and access to the online library.
Means of Assessment
This module is assessed by means of a single mini project of 3,500 words in length.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
The lectures will focus on two business areas where the new technologies are having the biggest impact:
- Domestic and international payments;
- 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.
This module is offered as part of the syllabus on the Chartered Banker MBA (CBMBA) programme. Should you wish to advance to the CBMBA, successful completion of this module will provide an exemption to this module.
Course Cost
The cost of this course is £1,700
Entry Requirements
Aimed at mid-career professionals working in the financial industry or regulation. Entry consideration will be given to individuals with minimal experience or qualifications.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must have a high level of fluency in the English language. The English language tests we normally refer to are as follows;
- IELTS: 6.0 (with no element below 5.5)
- Pearson PTE: a score of 56 (with no element lower than 51)
- Cambridge English Test – Advanced: 169 (with no element lower than 162)
Application
How to Apply
Please make sure you read and follow the step-by-step application guide as this will specify which sections of the application form are compulsory for the type of course you want to apply for and save you time.
Please prepare the following information (in a Word document):
- Current employment details;
- Years of experience, and employment history (where relevant)
- Name of staff member and organisation that have approved your funding for this module.
This will speed up the process of completing the application form.
To apply for this course, you need to create an account in our APPLICANT PORTAL
You will need access to the email address you specify while creating your account to confirm it.
After creating an account, you will see a homepage with several tabs:
- Personal
- Programme
- Info
- Contact
- Education
- Employment
- Language
- Finance
You need to complete all sections before submitting your application.
When a section is complete, a ‘tick’ symbol will appear below it.
- Click on ‘Non-graduating applications / Stand alone Modules’, then select ‘Non-graduating Undergraduate’.
- In the next section, select Non-Graduating Taught Modules, Click Save and Continue.
- On the next page, the default for the first question is Full Time. You need to change this to ‘Part time’:
- You now need to input the module code. Banking Technology & FinTech : the code is ASB-9049. This section must be completed for your application to be processed.
- You also need to state the start date. Please make your selection, then click ‘Save and Continue’.
- IMPORTANT: You do not need to write a personal statement to apply for this course. Instead, please upload the document including employment, experience and education information that you have created prior to starting the application that contains the name of your current employer, the number of years of experience you have, and your highest qualification to date. Click Save and continue.
You only need to enter the details of your highest qualification to date, e.g. if you have a postgraduate qualification, please only only include this.
You will be asked for evidence of the qualification. Please either upload a copy of your qualification if it's easily accessible, or upload the Word document again (that you prepared earlier).
(details not required as you've already prepared this)
Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on ‘I have no employment history’ (as you have already provided this in your Word document).
please answer the questions as follows:
- How will you finance your studies?
- Exact name of funding authority:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Give details of the amount of the award?
- Sponsorship will cover: Tuition Fees
- Have you been awarded this funding? Please select ‘yes’ * Note that you will be required to upload evidence of the funding. If you wish to confirm ‘yes’ to this question, but do not have any written confirmation to upload, you can upload your Word document here again.
If you are self-funding, please provide all details as appropriate.