Contents of the subject

The course has four parts all dealing with Fintechs: I. Specifics of tech-nology of Fintechs; II. Specifics of Finance of Fintechs; III. Specifics of Regulation of Fintechs; IV. Case Studies.
In detail the course covers:
1. Blockchain and cryptocurrencies;
2. Financing of Fintechs
3. Banking regulation
4. Regulatory frameworks for Fintech
5. Fintechs’ potential for Financial Inclusion
6. Financial Inclusion via a specific Fintech, i.e. mobile money or digital community currencies

Qualification aims of the subject

Content-oriented learning outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this module students will be able:
ILO1: to describe basic terms, features, instruments and financing of Fintechs.
ILO2: to understand the mode of operation of Fintechs and contextual-ise Fintechs within the digitalisation of the economy and the financial system in particularly.
ILO3: to identify interdependencies and transmission channels be-tween Fintech and traditional financial institutes, in particularly the banking sector, and critically assess these risks for the domestic finan-cial system and consumer rights.
ILO4: to apply what they have learnt to case studies and relate these case studies and experiences to the specifics of technology, finance and regulatory requirements discussed in class.
Skill oriented learning outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this module students will be able:
ILO5: to cooperate within interdisciplinary and international teams and enhance cross-cultural collaboration.
ILO6: to co-operate in interdisciplinary and international teams in order to make himself or herself familiar with a selected subject, prepare a presentation, and give a talk on that subject.
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ILO7: to respond in interdisciplinary and international teams to ques-tions and resolve problems in a consensus-seeking teamwork, present and explain their results to the audience.
ILO8: to create an in-depth analysis of one topic in form of a transfer project.

Applicability of the subject

Preparation for the Master thesis;
Programmes: MA International Economics; MA International Finance

The nature of the examination / requirements for the award of credit points

Transfer project with case study;
brief presentation on major results and discussion in audience;

Literature and learning resources

Core:
Chou, D., O’Sullivan, C. and V. Papavassiliou (eds.) (2023): FinTech Research and Applications: Challenges and Opportunities, Transfor-mations in Banking, Finance and Regulation series Vol. 5, World Scien-tific Publishing.
De Mariz, F. (2022), Finance with a Purpose: FinTech Development and Financial Inclusion in the Global Economy, Transformations in Banking, Finance and Regulation series Vol. 3, World Scientific Publishing.
Additional:
Valdez, S., Molyneux, P. (2013), An Introduction to Global Financial Markets, seventh edition. Houndsmill, Basingstoke / New York: Pal-grave Macmillan.
Alridge, I., Avellaneda, M. (2021), Big Data Science in Finance, Pub-lisher: Wiley, ISBN: 9781119602989
Reilly, F.K., Brown, K.C., (2018) Investment Analysis and Portfolio Man-agement, 11th ed., Publisher: The Dryden Press, ISBN: 9781305262997

Teaching and learning forms

Lectures, team working, and presentations

The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of Fintechs, their mode of operation, their finance, and regulatory require-ments. Students will become familiar with the features, functioning and risks of Fintechs to financial systems, but also with their contributions to growth and development. Students will become familiar with Ger-man and Tunisian case studies.

Participation requirements

Master study programme with a focus on economics, finance and
banking (priority 1); supply chain and computer science (priority 2)
knowledge of English language of level B2