Student guide Faculty of Economics A.Y. 2010/11

Financial Systems
Aim of the course
Students will acquire a fundamental understanding of the three components that make up the financial system: the markets, financial instruments, and financial intermediaries. The subject is approached from an institutional perspective, examining the specific structural configurations of the financial system and its regulation by the Surveillance Authority. Banks and the banking system are particularly emphasised, in light of the central role which they play within the Italian financial system. At the end of the course, students will have become conversant with the use the main financial instruments and services, and the management of credit and securities intermediaries.
Syllabus
·         Financial structure of the economy.
·         Regulation, surveillance and control policies in the financial system.
·         Transfer of financial resources, aims of financial agents and financial instruments.
·         Financial markets.
·         Financial intermediation processes.
·         Main types of financial intermediation.
·         Financial instruments and services offered by credit intermediaries.
·         Financial instruments and services offered by securities intermediaries.
·         Income and  financial equilibrium of financial intermediaries
·         Characteristic risks of financial intermediaries and their management.
Examinations
There will be an oral examination, in addition to a  written pre-examination test.
Reading list
G. FORESTIERI, P. MOTTURA, Il sistema finanziario. Istituzioni, mercati e modelli di intermediazione, EGEA, Milano, ultima ed.
A second text will be assigned at the start of the course.