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Unit outline_

BANK2011: Banking and the Financial System

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit covers money, commercial banking and central banking and the interactions with the other aspects of the financial system including the financial instruments that facilitate a transfer of resources from savers to investors and the financial markets that allow financial instruments to be traded efficiently. There is a concentration on understanding the financial institutions within the financial system that provide a wide-range of financial services including access to financial markets and the process of financial intermediation. Students are exposed to monetary policy implementation by central banks and the resultant economic impacts both nationally and internationally. Current regulatory settings and government regulatory agencies responsible for these and policy debates are also emphasised.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Finance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(BUSS1020 or ECMT1010 or ENVX1001 or ENVX1002 or DATA1001 or ((MATH1005 or MATH1015) and MATH1115) or 6 credit points in MATH units including MATH1905) and (BUSS1040 or ECON1001 or ECON1002)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ECOS2004
Assumed knowledge
? 

FINC2011

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lantian Liang, lantian.liang@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lantian Liang, lantian.liang@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Lantian Liang, lantian.liang@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Closed book, written exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Report 1
Written report
25% Week 06
Due date: 29 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 08 Apr 2024
5 A4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5
Assignment Report 2
Written report
25% Week 10
Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 May 2024
5 A4 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Report 1: Each student will write an individual report about issues raised in Darden School of Business case studies on the rise of a national fiat currency and national bank charters in the United States. Instructions and marking criteria for the report will be provided on Canvas.
  • Report 2: Each student will write an individual report about issues raised in a Darden School of Business case study on the factors that led to SVB's bankruptcy and the reflections on the Fed’s reaction after the bankruptcy. Instructions and marking criteria for the report will be provided on Canvas.
  • Final exam: The final exam will cover the topics studied throughout the semester. The final exam will be closed book and a handheld non-programmable calculator will be permitted. Details of the format for the final exam will be provided on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Money and the payments system Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
Week 03 Elements of the financial system Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 Interest rates and risk aversion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week 05 Bond prices and yields Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 06 Financial intermediation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Bank management Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 08 Financial industry structure Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 09 Regulation of the financial system Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 10 Central banks Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5
Week 11 Money supply process Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 12 Monetary policy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 13 Professional development Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Cecchetti, S.G. and Schoenholtz, K.L. (2021), ISE Money, Banking and Financial Markets, 6th edition, McGraw Hill, ISBN 978-1-260-57136-3.

  • Week 1: Chapter 1; Week 2: Chapter 2
  • Week 3: Chapter 3; Week 4: Chapters 4 and 5
  • Week 5: Chapters 6 and 7; Week 6: Chapter 11
  • Week 7: Chapter 12; Week 8: Chapter 13
  • Week 9: Chapter 14; Week 10: Chapters 15 and 16
  • Week 11: Chapter 17; Week 12: Chapter 18

Chapters from the textbook will be supplemented by journal articles. All the journal articles can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the functions of money, financial institutions, financial instruments, and markets within the financial system
  • LO2. explain why interest rates change and how this affects the real economy
  • LO3. undertake analysis of business situations and present findings and recommendations for action which are supported by quantitative and/or qualitative analysis
  • LO4. identify and explain the key inherent risks faced by banks in performing financial intermediation
  • LO5. understand the roles of the government and central banks in the banking sector and the challenges they face.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Updated assessment due dates

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.