Financial Systems and Institutions

COMPETENCES AND SKILLS THAT WILL BE ACQUIRED AND LEARNING RESULTS.
This course's objective is to study the basic elements that make up the Spanish financial system,
institutions, and markets. In order to achieve this objective the student is expected to acquire the following:

Knowledge:

- Basic structure, functions and characteristics of a financial system
- the role of financial intermediaries and markets
- Basic knowledge of financial instruments, transactions and financial terminology
Capabilities:
- the judicial context within which financial markets operate
- a global view of the role of financial systems in the allocation of financial resources
- Learn the functions, characteristics and classification of assets, intermediaries and financial markets
- Interpret a financial market in terms of its architecture
- Learn the importance of different trading systems and understand their functioning
- Analyze the role of market markers
- Be familiar with existing financial instruments

Abilities:

- Present, discuss, explain and defend opinions in an efficient way both in formal and informal contexts, and both in written and oral form
- The ability to look for, transmit, and discern what is the information that is relevant in a particular decision problem
- Obtain results individually, in an autonomous fashion, while sharing them via personal relationships and discussion with fellow students
- The ability to apply multidisciplinary knowledge to solving specific problems
further more, the studens should be able to:
- Establish criteria that will be useful to form a critical view of different market organizations
- Have rigorous attitude to defend their own opinions
- Have a colaborative attitude that will help obtain information and knowledge to solve complex tasks
- Have a flexible attitude to make and change decisions
- Have a solid ethical view and work commitment

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS: PROGRAMME

The content is divided into two major blocks.
FIRST BLOCK: Introduction to te financial system, the role of credit institutions and their supervisors. Credit institutions and their role in economic development. Supervisors: the Bank of Spain, the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores.
SECOND BLOCK: The role of financial systems, their functions and specific characteristics. In both blocks, the students will study different types of financial instruments and assets

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGY

Teaching methodology:
(1) Lectures where the specific course contents will be presented. Students will receive class notes
and references that help complete and expand on the topics covered
(2) Case studies provided by the instructor. These case studies are related to the content of the
course and the specific capabilities the students are to develop
(3) Computer classes in corresponding classrooms. This will help them learn how to acquire
information on assets and the functioning of financial markets. They will also access databases as well
as webpages with relevant data and information
(4) Exercises solved by the student as self-evaluation of acquired knowledge, capabilities and skills
(5) Common discussion and correction of exercises to ground knowledge and develop analysis and
communication skills in a problem-solving environment. In addition, these discussions help the
exchange of critical opinion between student and instructor, and amongst students

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

The term-based evaluation (continua) will be based on the following criteria:
- Class participation: 5%. Values short, concise contributions made during class time that are
related to the matter at hand, and add value to the discussion. To facilitate this, the instructor will open
to discussion some of the following: theoretical matters, budgets, newspaper articles, cases, etc

- Problems: 45%.

Partial exam: 20%
Individual and group exercises: 25%

- Final exam: 50%. The students acquired knowledge and skills will be evaluated in this way. The
minimum grade that is necessary to pass the subject is 4 over 10 in the final exam
% end-of-term-examination: 50
% of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals?): 50