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Course profile

Banking and Lending Decisions (FINM3404)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Business School

This course will consider the uniqueness of the financial institutions, assessment of credit risk and the principles of successful bank lending, as well as risk management in banks. At the end of this course, you will understand the risk assessment of various types of loans, the mechanisms for predicting financial distress, the principles of asset liability management, securitization and its impact of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) 2007, bank regulation, bank profitability analysis and international banking system.

The course highlights the traditional role of banks and how their operation has changed dramatically in recent years. In particular, this course evaluates a number of important concepts including risk assessment of loans, role of central banks, risk and performance of banks, asset-liability management, structured finance, regulation, insurance mechanisms and finally, the evolution of and risk in investment banking and international banking.

Sustainable Development Goals - UQ Business School is a proud supporter and Advanced Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UN PRME). As part of the largest global collaboration between business schools and the UN, the school emphasises its role in empowering students to drive societal transformation through the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs highlight that a thriving economy relies on a healthy environment, aiming to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection for a sustainable future.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Knowledge of financial management.

Before attempting this course, students are advised that it is important to complete the appropriate prerequisite course(s) listed on the front of this course profile. No responsibility will be accepted by the School of
Business, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or the University of Queensland for poor student performance occurring in courses where the appropriate prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed, for any reason
whatsoever.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

FINM2401 or 2411 or 2412 or 2416

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

FINM3414

Restrictions

Not to be studied by BAdvFin&Econ(Hons) students

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Dr Hasibul Chowdhury

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:

  • Your name
  • Your student ID
  • The course code

Aims and outcomes

The primary purpose of this course is to develop a broad understanding of how financial institutions operate both locally and globally. Students will evaluate the banking environment in Australia and globally with a focus on monetary policy, risk management, performance, securitization, regulation and supervision, international banking, and investment banking.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Evaluate the importance of financial intermediaries/institutions.

LO2.

Outline the role of the central bank in an economy.

LO3.

Analyse risk management and performance of financial institutions.

LO4.

Question and evaluate issues related to the global financial crisis 2007, structured finance, and financial innovation.

LO5.

Evaluate the role of bank regulation including capital regulation and the deposit insurance scheme.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Examination In-Semester Exam
  • Online
25%

3/04/2025

During Lecture time. Students can take the exam from any location, but we highly recommend choosing a place with a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience.

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Case Study - Assignment 25%

16/05/2025 3:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
50%

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Assessment details

In-Semester Exam

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
25%
Due date

3/04/2025

During Lecture time. Students can take the exam from any location, but we highly recommend choosing a place with a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience.

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

The exam will be based on the materials covered in Topics 1-4 (including tutorials).

This is a time-constrained online exam that will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions (a mix of theory and calculations) (20 marks), 1 short discussion question (2.5 marks), and 1 problem solving question (2.5 marks).

Students are required to log in to the course Blackboard site to complete the exam. Students will have only one attempt to finish.

We will hold the online In-Semester Exam in Week 6 during the usual lecture time. You can take the exam from any location, but we highly recommend choosing a place with a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience.

AI Statement:

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 60 minutes
Calculator options

Any calculator permitted

Open/closed book Open Book examination
Exam platform Other
Invigilation

Not invigilated

Submission guidelines

Please answer all of the questions in the Blackboard test and SUBMIT your responses by the end time of your exam.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Late submission

Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.

Case Study - Assignment

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
25%
Due date

16/05/2025 3:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Carefully read ‘Wells Fargo: Setting the Stagecoach Thundering Again’ (see URL on Blackboard under “Assessment” and please make sure you also read other materials that will strengthen your assignment). Please use this case as a background to carefully develop your answers to the questions mentioned in the document titled "Assignment Instruction." The maximum length of your submission would be 5 pages (excluding the list of references), using 1.5-line spacing, ‘Times New Roman’ font with size 12, ‘Normal’ margins, justified paragraphs, and page numbering on the bottom right-hand side.

AI Statement:

This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Specifically, this assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

A student needs to upload the write-up in a single 'pdf' file using "Case Study Submission Link" on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final Exam

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
50%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The final assessment will be based on all materials covered in the course (from Topics 1-11). The exam includes short answers and problem-solving questions.

AI Statement:

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 29

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 30 - 46

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 47 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Filter activity type by

Please select
Clear filters
Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1
Lecture

Topic 1: Financial Institutions and Credit Risk Analysis

Learning outcomes: L01, L03

Week 2
Tutorial

Topic 1: Financial Institutions and Credit Risk Analysis

Learning outcomes: L01, L03

Lecture

Topic 2: The Monetary Authorities, RBA, Interest Rates

Learning outcomes: L02

Week 3
Tutorial

Topic 2: Monetary Authorities, RBA, Interest Rates

Learning outcomes: L02

Lecture

Topic 3: Risks of Financial Institutions

Learning outcomes: L03

Week 4
Tutorial

Topic 3: Risks of Financial Institutions

Learning outcomes: L03

Lecture

Topic 4: Bank Liquidity Risk

Learning outcomes: L03

Week 5
Tutorial

Topic 4: Bank Liquidity Risk

Learning outcomes: L03

Lecture

Topic 5: Bank Performance Analysis and Deposit Insurance

Learning outcomes: L03, L05

Week 6
Tutorial

No Tutorial

Self-assisted study. There are no tutorials in the In-Semester Exam week.

Lecture

In-Semester Exam

The During Class Time In-Semester Exam will be held during lecture time.

Week 7
Tutorial

Topic 5: Bank Performance Analysis and Deposit Insurance

Learning outcomes: L03, L05

Lecture

Topic 6: Asset-Liability Management I

Learning outcomes: L03

Week 8
Tutorial

Topic 6: Asset-Liability Management I

Learning outcomes: L03

Lecture

Topic 7: Asset-Liability Management II

Learning outcomes: L03

Mid-sem break
No student involvement (Breaks, information)

In-Semester Break

Tutorials will not run in this week.

Week 9
Tutorial

Topic 7: Asset-Liability Management II

Learning outcomes: L03

Lecture

Topic 8: Securitization & Financial Crisis

Learning outcomes: L04

Week 10
Tutorial

Topic 8: Securitization & Financial Crisis

Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 5 May 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes.

Learning outcomes: L04

Lecture

Topic 9: Capital Adequacy Requirement

Learning outcomes: L05

Week 11
Tutorial

Topic 9: Capital Adequacy Requirement

Learning outcomes: L05

Lecture

Topic 10: Loan Portfolio and Concentration Risk

Learning outcomes: L03

Week 12
Tutorial

Topic 10: Loan Portfolio and Concentration Risk

Learning outcomes: L03

Lecture

Topic 11: Investment Banking

Learning outcomes: L01, L03

Week 13
Tutorial

Topic 11: Investment Banking

Learning outcomes: L01, L03

Lecture

Revision Lecture

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Additional learning activity information

Tutorial questions must be downloaded from Blackboard. Students must attempt the questions before attending the tutorial session.

Sustainable Development Goals

This course integrates the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through lectures and assessment.

Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.