FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services from Coursera

The FinTech revolution is rapidly transforming the financial industry. The use of digital technologies is the norm, and together with regulatory and market changes it is creating a revolution. After completion of the module, you'll be able to: describe the changes that influence the financial sector, understand the complexity of the payment infrastructure, identify and explain the key payment instruments and how they function, understand the types of money that exits, and recognize changes in the regulatory frameworks and how they inhibit or promote innovation.

To begin, I recommend taking a few minutes to explore the course site. A good place to start is the navigation bar on the left. Click Course Content to see what material we’ll cover each week, as well preview the assignments you’ll need to complete to pass the course. Click Discussions to see forums where you can discuss the course material with fellow students taking the class. Be sure to introduce yourself to everyone in the Meet and Greet forum!

This course should take about four weeks to complete. You can check out the recommended course schedule below to see a quick overview of the lessons and assignments you’ll complete each week.

By the time you finish this course, you’ll have mastered mastered the transformational forces of digitalization and the new competitive dynamics it gives rise to, learned from leading financial companies and seen inspirational examples from the digital masters.

Good luck as you get started. I look forward to seeing you in class!

What's inside

Syllabus

FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services

The FinTech revolution is rapidly transforming the financial industry. The use of digital technologies is the norm, and together with regulatory and market changes it is creating a revolution. To begin, we recommend taking a few minutes to explore the course site. A good place to start is the navigation bar on the left. Click 'Course Content' to see what material we will cover each week, as well preview the assignments you will need to complete. Click 'Discussions' to see forums where you can discuss the course material with fellow students taking the class. Be sure to introduce yourself to everyone in the 'Meet and Greet' forum! This course should take four weeks to complete. You can check out the recommended course schedule below to see a quick overview of the lessons and assignments you will complete each week. After completion of the course, you'll be able to: describe the changes that influence the financial sector, understand the complexity of the payment infrastructure, identify and explain the key payment instruments and how they function, understand the types of money that exits, and recognize changes in the regulatory frameworks and how they inhibit or promote innovation.

FinTech essentials

In this module, we begin exploring FinTech. We start off by get to know Fintech, by looking into six different FinTech domains, followed by FinTech as an area of investments. Then we dig into the technologies of FinTech, before we look at the regulatory changes that transforms the industry. After completion of the module, you will be able to: summarize the domains of FinTech; describe the FinTech market and make arguments for what the sector is emerging; outline the Financial technologies and how the are transforming the market; give examples of how regulations influence the FinTech market

Money and payments

At the heart of the Fintech revolution you will find money and payments. It makes the world go around. In this module, we will learn about money and its history, difference between central bank money and bank money, different payment instruments, and finally how payment instruments are used in contemporary payment methods.

Payment systems

Money has several roles, including a medium of exchange, i.e. as a payment. In this module, we focus on the complex digital platforms or eco-systems that surrounds payments. We this from four different perspectives or level of analysis, including bank level, national level, and cross border level. However, first we shall look into the payment process.

Lending and crowdfunding

The digital transformation is radically transforming the financial services as we used to know them and new areas and domains emerge. In this module, we are focusing on three areas. First, we look at P2P lending, then crowdfunding, before we conclude with open banking.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for those with an interest in financial services or the financial technology industry

Beginner-friendly course suitable for those with little or no experience or prior knowledge in financial technologies

Taught by Stefan Henningsson and Jonas Hedman, recognized academics and industry experts in financial technologies

Course explores key concepts essential to financial technologies, including regulatory changes and market challenges

Offers a practical approach, with insights from leading financial companies and real-world examples

Recommended course schedule provided, allowing learners to plan their time effectively

Reviews summary

Fintech transformation

According to students, FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services provides informative readings and engaging assignments, though some may find the material difficult. The well-received course earns mostly positive reviews, with learners saying they enjoyed and learned a lot. However, some students complain about outdated content, broken links, and difficult exams.

The instructor receives mixed reviews, with some learners praising their knowledge and clarity, while others find them unengaging and unprofessional.

"Jonas Hedman for sa performante pédagogie"

"I really enjoyed this course, the only thing I would make better are the module assessments."

"The course is not up to dated. The resources provided for reading was based on wikipedia what in my opinion is not a good source, in several occasions the links for Youtube videos was not working due the content could not be found or were removed."

Students appreciate the relevant readings and informative videos.

"Excellent course on fintech - gives you a good overview of the industry and you can branch out from here to deeper areas that interest you."

"Very informative and given in a simple way"

"Learned a lot. It's just that most questions in the quizzes are not from the tools given. It was from the other tools."

Learners describe the course as well-organized and structured, with clear course objectives.

"Course was organized very accurately, everything is clear."

"Good overview of the market, could do with a bit more depth and technical detail"

"It was a great course that introduced us to financial technology "

The course effectively introduces core FinTech concepts and provides a solid foundation.

"Good course, although some of its content was outdated."

"The course gave many useful insights over the Fin Tech and innovations in the financial services sectors, through several videos and reading material."

"A nice introduction to the fast-changing landscape and direction of Fintech in the last few years that made me go "Oh yeah, that's why!""

Multiple students complain about outdated content, broken links, and inaccurate information.

"Content is outdated and needs updated"

"It would be rated better if there was no annoying Module 4 test."

"Unfortunately not met my expectations since most of the course was based on reading articles which most of them were outdated (like from 2014, wikipedia source) so it was quite disappointing."

Many learners find the assessments to be difficult and unfair, with questions that are unclear and unanswerable.

"The quizzes are flawed and the language isn't entirely accurate."

"The Week 4 final assignment was rubbish."

"the quiz answer is not matching at all"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services with these activities:

Organize Course Materials for Future Reference

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Stay organized by compiling and structuring your course materials for easy access and future revision.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course.
Organize your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams systematically.
Categorize and label materials based on topics or modules.
Use color coding, highlights, or annotations to emphasize key concepts.

Review Essential Mathematics

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Review fundamental mathematical concepts to strengthen your understanding of key principles used in financial modeling and analysis.

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Review basic arithmetic operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Brush up on algebra, including solving equations and inequalities.
Revisit calculus concepts, such as derivatives and integrals.
Practice applying mathematical formulas to financial scenarios.

Join a Study Group with Classmates

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Enhance your learning through collaboration by joining or forming a study group with classmates.

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Connect with classmates through the course platform or social media.
Establish regular meeting times and a communication channel.
Review course materials together, discuss concepts, and clarify doubts.
Work on assignments or projects collaboratively, sharing insights and perspectives.

Five other activities

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Explore Online Tutorials on Payment Systems

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Delve deeper into payment systems and mechanisms by following guided tutorials and online resources.

Browse courses on Payment Systems

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Identify reputable online platforms or MOOCs offering tutorials on payment systems.
Select tutorials that align with your learning objectives and skill level.
Follow the tutorials diligently, taking notes and practicing the concepts demonstrated.
Engage in discussion forums or online communities related to payment systems to clarify doubts.

Attend a FinTech Industry Workshop

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Expand your knowledge and connect with professionals by attending a FinTech industry workshop.

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Identify upcoming FinTech workshops or conferences in your area or online.
Register for the workshop and prepare for the sessions.
Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and take notes.
Network with industry experts, professionals, and fellow attendees.

Solve Financial Modeling Exercises

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Sharpen your financial modeling skills by practicing exercises that simulate real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Financial Modeling

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Access online platforms or textbooks that provide financial modeling exercises.
Select exercises that cover different aspects of financial modeling, such as budgeting, forecasting, and valuation.
Build financial models in Excel or other software tools, applying the concepts and formulas learned in the course.
Analyze the results and identify areas for improvement in your modeling skills.

volunteer with a FinTech Startup or Nonprofit

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Apply your knowledge and skills practically by volunteering with a FinTech startup or nonprofit organization.

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Identify FinTech startups or nonprofit organizations that align with your interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteering opportunities.
Participate in projects, assist with research, or provide support based on your skills and the organization's needs.
Gain hands-on experience in the FinTech industry and make a meaningful contribution.

Develop a Case Study on a FinTech Innovation

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Solidify your understanding of FinTech by creating a comprehensive case study that analyzes a specific FinTech innovation.

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Identify a FinTech innovation or company that interests you.
Research the innovation, its market impact, and the underlying technology.
Develop a framework for your case study, outlining the key elements you will analyze.
Gather data from various sources, such as company reports, news articles, and industry research.
Analyze the data and present your findings in a clear and concise report.

Career center

Learners who complete FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

FinTech Consultant

FinTech Consultants advise FinTech companies on a variety of topics, including strategy, operations, and technology. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide FinTech Consultants with a deep understanding of the FinTech industry and its unique challenges.

See salaries and explore the career path for FinTech Consultant

FinTech Entrepreneur

With the rapid growth of the FinTech industry, entrepreneurs are finding new opportunities to create innovative financial products and services. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide FinTech Entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in this dynamic industry.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers advise FinTech companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial transactions. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Investment Bankers with a deep understanding of the FinTech industry and its unique challenges.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers are responsible for ensuring that FinTech companies comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Compliance Officers with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape of the FinTech industry.

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Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage FinTech companies. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Venture Capitalists with a deep understanding of the FinTech industry and its investment opportunities.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying and mitigating risks within the FinTech industry. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Risk Managers with a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with FinTech and how to manage them effectively.

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Academic

Academics research the FinTech industry and teach courses on FinTech. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Academics with a deep understanding of the FinTech industry and its latest developments.

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Financial Journalist

Financial Journalists write about the FinTech industry for a variety of publications. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Financial Journalists with a deep understanding of the FinTech industry and its latest developments.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers play a key role in promoting and selling FinTech products and services. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can help Marketing Managers develop a deep understanding of the FinTech industry and its target market.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for developing and launching new financial products and services. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide Product Managers with a comprehensive understanding of the FinTech industry and its unique challenges.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are in high demand in the FinTech industry. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide a solid foundation for Software Engineers who want to specialize in the development of financial software solutions.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist plays a significant role in the FinTech industry, where they analyze vast amounts of data to uncover patterns and trends. By combining the knowledge gained from the FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course with their technical skills, Data Scientists can add even more value to their work.

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Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors play a crucial role in guiding individuals and organizations in making informed financial decisions. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide valuable insights into the latest financial technologies and their impact on the industry, allowing Financial Advisors to stay ahead of the curve.

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Financial Analyst

In the era of FinTech, Financial Analysts are responsible for understanding the complexities of the financial markets and providing valuable advice to clients. Taking the FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course can provide a solid foundation for those seeking to enter this field.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst may play a significant role in the FinTech industry, where they can provide valuable insights by analyzing financial data and business processes. The FinTech and the Transformation in Financial Services course may be helpful in developing the skills needed to identify and solve business problems in the FinTech sector.

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