Run by Bangor Business School - (Changsha)

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Ms Wendy Ashurst

The module will introduce the main elements of personal financial management and retail banking. The module is aimed at all 2nd year undergraduate students both within the business school and the wider university which have an interest in improving the ways in which they can manage their finances, enhance their financial capability and navigate retail financial services markets. The module is suitable for all persons interested in both their own personal finances and also the provision of personal financial services in the UK and internationally. The module is focused on both developing key skills in managing personal finances as well as assisting an individual to navigate decision making at a time where individuals face increasing responsibility for their financial actions.

The lecture programme will outline the principle areas of content with specific skills honed within the seminars. The lecture programme will be introduced through considering the importance of personal finance education, the need for financial literacy, a knowledge of retail banking markets and how this relates to the student and graduate experience. The module provides consideration as to the form and use of different financial services encountered in life including debt, pensions, insurance, savings and investments. Students will explore how these markets operate and are regulated. Lastly there is consideration of how to financial customers make decisions in financial services markets, how decision making may be enhnanced and how customers can be mislead by current sales techniques employed by the financial services industry.

threshold

D- to D+ (40-49%): No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

good

B- to B+ (60-69%): Very good performance Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

excellent

A- to A+ (70%+): Outstanding performance. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

C- to C+

C- to C+ (50-59%): Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed. Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Fair integration of theory/practice/information in the pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

1. Develop a critical comprehension of how commonly used financial services are used, priced and sold.

2. Cultivate a greater level of financial literacy.

3. Extend personal financial management skills and knowledge.

4. Provide financial knowledge of services provided by the financial services and retail banking industry including insurance, loans, mortgages, pensions and investments.

5. Develop insight into the cost of borrowing and the implications of debt.

6. Foster understanding of the sources and applications of finance while a student and a graduate.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Personal Finance and Banking Essay		50.00
	Examination		50.00

		Hours
Seminar	Specific skills related to personal finance and banking will be honed within the seminars.There will be 10 seminars of 1 hour duration.	10
Private study	The module requires additional private study from the textbook and additional materials signposted within the teaching sessions.The lectures and seminars will supplemented by 168 hours of private study. This will be guided by directed readings in the text book and from additional materials suggested in the classes to inform both the seminars and also the module learning more generally.	170
Lecture	The lecture programme will outline the principal areas of personal finance and banking content within the module. There will be 11 lectures of 2 hours duration.	20

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Compulsory in courses:

• N392: BSc Banking & Finance (Bangor College, China) year 2 (BSC/BFINBC)