University of Technology Sydney

25574 Commercial Bank Management

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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Finance
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 25556 The Financial System
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject provides a detailed examination of the fundamentals of the management, risk, regulation and operation and performance of a commercial bank. The subject examines the theoretical concepts underpinning the operation of commercial banking in the form of financial intermediation and the unique role of banks in the economy. The structure of the financial system and problems posed by managing commercial banks in today's environment are given real-time practical applications that assess the performance of financial institutions from a creditor's, investor's and regulator's viewpoint. While the focus of the course is commercial banks, that is regulator registered banking institutions, a number of the concepts covered also have suitable application to other non-bank institutions. Students get to apply their knowledge in multiple assignments that are based on the analysis of real financial institutions and their risk exposures emanating from the lending and deposit-taking operations.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. explain the major activities products and services provided of commercial banks
2. discuss the management of risk related activities undertaken by commercial banks
3. illustrate the role of commercial banks in the financial services market
4. evaluate the role of commercial banks in the function of the economy.
5. apply financial management knowledge to banking practice
6. appraise action in commercial banking situation

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject contributes to the degree by exposing students to the core principles of commercial bank management. Commercial banks play an important role in the economy, and the subject explains how financial institutions fulfill that role. Students develop teamwork skills through collaborative in-class activities and group work. They also develop oral and written communication competencies via their individual and group assignments.

The subject is aligned with the following graduate attributes:

  • Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Professional and technical competence

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject uses a broad range of teaching and learning strategies (including active strategies), such as lectures, guest speakers, case studies, and student discussions. Weekly activities include (1) in-class discussions, (2) lectures, and (3) tutorials. In order to get the most of the subject, you should engage in all activities every week. A detailed schedule of weekly activities, as well as all subject material, is available via UTS Learning Management System. Communication and feedback are also encouraged via UTS Learning Management System.

In-class discussions: Current banking news will be made available to students, and will form the basis of discussions about current bank operations and prudential regulation. Case studies will also be provided for discussion.

Lectures: Students are expected to attend all lectures. Lectures introduce and describe the key concepts through a range of interactive and engaging learning experiences. There will be opportunities for collaborative student discussions in which students can share their insights. Occasionally, lectures will be complemented by guest lectures from industry practitioners. Prior to attending each lecture, students are asked to watch a summary video available via UTS Learning Management System.

Tutorials: Tutorials provide an interactive opportunity to extend and apply the material taught in lectures. The tutorial for a given week is based on the lecture material from the previous week. Tutorials commence in Week 2, and students are expected to prepare for them by completing the problems independently at home.

Market relevant projects: Students will participate in two in-class projects. In the first project students will work in teams to analyse the accounts of an Australian commercial bank and make management decisions to improve the resilience of the institution under consideration of interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. Students will write a report on their findings. In the second project students will analyse meta data from real mortgage portfolios and build a risk measurement model. Furthermore, students will discuss the application of their model in the context of mortgage underwriting of commercial banks and discuss professional standards mandated by prudential regulators. Students will write a report on their findings

UTS Learning Management System is used to disseminate learning resources, including the subject outline, lecture slides, tutorial exercises, assignment briefs, announcements, and any supplementary information. Students are responsible for checking UTS Learning Management System regularly. All announcements posted on UTS Learning Management System will also be emailed to students, to ensure that they stay informed.

Content (topics)

  • The Australian financial services market;
  • Financial intermediation, its risks and the economics of information;
  • Measurement and analysis of commercial banks;
  • Asset, liability and capital decisions;
  • Managing loans and the loan portfolio;
  • Hedging and pricing of commercial loan products;
  • International commercial banking;
  • Regulation of financial intermediation.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Project (Group)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Weight: 30%
Criteria:

Students write a report on their findings and these submissions are graded on the following criteria:

  • Comprehensiveness of explaining commercial bank’s activities and business model
  • Identification of commercial bank’s risk profiles and risk management practices
  • Thoroughness of analysis of the role of the commercial bank in the financial services market, and its relation to the competitive landscape
  • Evidence of insight regarding the role of the commercial bank in providing innovative services, and its contribution to the economy
  • Precision in applying financial management knowledge to banking practice
  • Clarity and rigorousness of proposed actions in commercial banking situation

Assessment task 2: Quizzes (Individual)*

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 5 and 6

Weight: 20%
Criteria:

The quizzes will be graded on the following criteria:

  • Understanding of the major activities provided by commercial banks.
  • Precision of risk management assessment related to commercial banks’ activities.
  • Ability to apply understanding of commercial bank management to banking practice.
  • Comprehensiveness of proposed actions in commercial banking situations.

*Note: Late submission of the assessment task will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero.

Assessment task 3: Final Examination (Individual)

Objective(s):

This addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Weight: 50%
Criteria:

Grading is based on the following criteria:

  • Accuracy of solutions for quantitative questions
  • Quality of answers for qualitative questions

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.

Required texts

Anthony Saunders, Marcia Cornett, Otgontsetseg Erhemjamts. Financial Institutions Management: a risk management approach, 10th edition, McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 9781260571479

Other resources

Other references

  • Hunt, B. & Chris T., 2015, Financial Institutions and Markets, 7th edition, Cengage Learning
  • Arslanian, H. & Fischer, F., 2019, The Future of Finance: The impact of Fintech, AI, and Crypto on Financial services, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
  • Basel Committee on Bank Supervision: www.bis.org
  • Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: www.apra.gov.au
  • www.rba.gov.au