Unit Outline
BEA321
Banking and Financial Institutions
Semester 1, 2024
Joaquin Vespignani
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Joaquin Vespignani
Email: Joaquin.Vespignani@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit is a mandatory course for third-year Finance majors in the Bachelor of Business program. It is an elective unit in Economic Analysis major in the Bachelor of Economics. The unit examines the Australian and international financial systems and analyses the different roles of intermediaries and markets and the role they play in the flow of funds in the economy, the use of financial instruments such as debt, options and other derivatives to manage risk in banks, prudential supervision, regulation and risk management; The role played by the foreign exchange market,the objectives of monetary policy, the role of financial markets in the operation of monetary policy.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Analyse the reasons why different financial institutions have distinct functions in the economy supporting sustainable growth.
2.
Assess how institutions and markets are regulated in domestic, and international environments, and be able to evaluate proposals for regulatory reform.
3.
Evaluate how financial institutions assess and manage risk using some of the trading strategies and instruments available in financial markets.
4.
Analyse the role and mandate of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To Be Determined
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Lecture (On Campus)
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Online Class
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator. 
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Two Online Quizzes (Due: Week 5 &10)
Week 5
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Individual Assignment
Week 8
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Research Report
Week 13
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Two Online Quizzes (Due: Week 5 &10)
Task Description:
You are required to complete two online quizzes in weeks 5 and 10. Quizzes will be open for a full week.
Week 5 quiz: Covers topics/lectures/chapters presented from weeks 1 to 4.
Week 10 quiz: Covers topics/lectures/chapters presented from week 5 to 9.

Task Length:
60 minutes per quiz
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Compare and contrast the different roles played by markets and financial intermediaries.
LO1
2
Discuss and analyse the flow of funds accounts.
LO1
3
Critique regulatory regimes in Australia, and other financial markets.
LO2
4
Appraise the impact of changes in regulation on bank behaviour.
LO2
5
Examine the implementation of different strategies and instruments.
LO3
6
Solve numerical problems using different financial market instruments.
LO3
7
Distinguish between different policy instruments that can be used in domestic, and foreign financial markets.
LO4
8
Use graphical and/or algebraic models of the economy to analyse a given scenario.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Individual Assignment
Task Description:
This is an individual assignment and represents 30% of the total unit grade. This assignment will consist of 5-7 questions related to the content covered during weeks 1 to 7.

Task Length:
Maximum 1500 words + figures and charts
 
Due Date:
Week 8
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Analyse the flow of funds accounts.
LO1
2
Appraise the impact of changes in regulation on bank behaviour.
LO2
3
Solve numerical problems using different financial market instruments.
LO3
4
Apply relevant economic models and underlying theory to analyse a given scenario.
LO4
5
Distinguish between different policy instruments that can be used in domestic, and foreign financial markets.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Research Report
Task Description:
You are required to submit a research report on a current topic related to the second part of the unit. This is an individual assignment and represents 30% of the total unit grade.

Further details will be posted on MyLO under the Assessment link.

Task Length:
Maximum 1500 words + figures, charts and references
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Compare the different role played by markets and financial intermediaries in supporting productive activities, job creation, creativity and innovation.
LO1
2
Assess how banks’ capital structure, and asymmetric information problems require specific forms of regulation.
LO2
3
Evaluate proposals for regulatory reform.
LO2
4
Examine the implementation of different strategies and instruments.
LO3
5
Use graphical and/or algebraic models of the economy to analyse a given scenario.
LO4
6
Critically assess the interaction between financial markets and monetary policy.
LO4
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 
Required Resources
Required reading materials
Eakins & Mishkin (2018). Financial Markets and Institutions (Global Edition), 9th edn, PearsonPrentice Hall, Boston
 
Recommended reading materials
In addition to the texts/software recommended above, you are also expected to be familiar with the key academic journals in the discipline from which useful insights maybe derived.
Useful Websites:
Reserve Bank of Australia: http://www.rba.gov.au/
Federal Reserve of St Louis data: http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/
European Central Bank: http://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html
Bank of Japan: http://www.boj.or.jp/en
Economic Papers: http://econpapers.repec.org/
UTAS library E-Journal: http://rk9dr6cc2p.search.serialssolutions.com/?L=RK9DR6CC2P&V=1.0&tab=JOURNA LS&N=100&S=T_AZ&C=E
 
Other required resources
N/A