Complete Introduction to Financial Products and Services from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the basics of financial products such as savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and cds, and know how to assess their risks and benefits.
Learn how loans work, including different types like personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans, and how factors like credit scores impact loan eligibility.
Master investment products including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etfs, and understand their risk-reward profiles.
Gain a solid understanding of derivatives such as futures and options contracts and how they are used for hedging and speculation.

Evaluate financial institutions including banks, credit unions, and non-banking financial companies (nbfcs).
Analyze risk versus return and apply diversification strategies in both personal and professional financial decision-making.
Make informed decisions when choosing financial products and services that align with your financial goals.

Understand the basics of financial products such as savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and cds, and know how to assess their risks and benefits.
Learn how loans work, including different types like personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans, and how factors like credit scores impact loan eligibility.
Master investment products including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etfs, and understand their risk-reward profiles.
Gain a solid understanding of derivatives such as futures and options contracts and how they are used for hedging and speculation.
Evaluate financial institutions including banks, credit unions, and non-banking financial companies (nbfcs).
Analyze risk versus return and apply diversification strategies in both personal and professional financial decision-making.
Make informed decisions when choosing financial products and services that align with your financial goals.

Syllabus

Introduction to Financial Products

Topics Covered:

● Savings Accounts

● Checking Accounts

● Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

● Personal Loans

● Credit Cards
Learning Objectives:

● Understand the differences between basic financial products.

● Learn how each product works and its common uses.

● Assess the risks and benefits of these products.

Topics Covered:

● Types of loans: Personal Loans, Mortgages, Auto Loans

● Understanding interest rates and repayment terms

● Credit Scores and their impact on financial products
Learning Objectives:

● Understand how loans are structured and how to calculate loan payments.

● Learn the factors that affect loan eligibility and interest rates.

This quiz tests your knowledge on basic financial products, loan mechanics, and the impact of credit on loans. Answer each question and evaluate your understanding.

Investment Vehicles and Derivatives

Topics Covered:

● Stocks

● Bonds

● Mutual Funds

● ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
Learning Objectives:

● Learn the difference between stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

● Understand the basic principles behind ETFs and how they work.

● Identify the risks and benefits of each product.

Topics Covered:

● Futures Contracts

● Options Contracts

● Commodities and Currency Derivatives

● The role of derivatives in risk management
Learning Objectives:

● Understand the concept of derivatives and their practical uses.

● Learn how derivatives are used in hedging and speculation.

This quiz tests your understanding of investment products and derivatives, including their mechanics and associated risks. Answer the questions carefully.

Financial Services Providers

Topics Covered:

● Types of financial institutions (Commercial Banks, Savings & Loans, Credit Unions)

● Products and services offered by these institutions

● How to choose the right bank or credit union for your needs
Learning Objectives:

● Learn about the various types of financial institutions.

● Understand what products they offer and how they benefit clients.

Topics Covered:

● Introduction to NBFCs and Investment Firms

● Types of investment firms: Asset Management, Hedge Funds, Private Equity

● Understanding the role of NBFCs in the economy
Learning Objectives:

● Learn how NBFCs differ from traditional banks.

● Understand the role of investment firms in managing investments and funds.

This quiz tests your knowledge of banks, credit unions, and non-banking financial companies, as well as investment firms and their roles in the economy.

Evaluating Financial Products and Services for Decision-Making

● Risk vs. Return: How to evaluate financial products

● Diversification as a risk management strategy

● Assessing risk in loans, investments, and insurance
Learning Objectives:

● Understand how to assess the risk associated with different financial products.

● Learn how to incorporate diversification in your financial strategy.

● Creating a financial plan using available products

● Factors influencing the choice of financial products for individuals and businesses

● Case study: Making financial decisions in a complex market
Learning Objectives:

● Learn how to align financial products with your financial goals.

● Understand the decision-making process in a financial context.

This quiz tests your knowledge on risk analysis in financial products and decision-making strategies. Answer the questions to evaluate your understanding of these concepts.

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 Complete Introduction to Financial Products and Services with these activities:

Review Basic Math Concepts

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Reinforce foundational math skills necessary for understanding financial calculations like interest rates and loan payments.

Browse courses on Time Value of Money

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Review arithmetic operations.
Practice calculating percentages and ratios.
Solve word problems involving financial concepts.

Read 'The Total Money Makeover' by Dave Ramsey

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Gain practical insights into personal finance management and debt reduction strategies.

View Build a Business You Love: Mastering the Five... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how the principles apply to financial products.

Create a Personal Financial Plan

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Apply the concepts learned in the course by creating a personalized financial plan.

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Assess your current financial situation.
Set financial goals (short-term and long-term).
Choose appropriate financial products to achieve goals.
Monitor and adjust the plan as needed.

Four other activities

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Explain the Difference Between Stocks and Bonds

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Solidify your understanding of investment vehicles by creating a presentation or infographic explaining the differences between stocks and bonds.

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Research stocks and bonds.
Identify key differences (risk, return, etc.).
Create a visual aid (presentation or infographic).
Present your findings to a friend or family member.

Read 'The Intelligent Investor' by Benjamin Graham

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Deepen your understanding of investment principles and value investing strategies.

View Melania on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book and highlight key concepts.
Apply the principles to real-world investment scenarios.

Build a Loan Comparison Spreadsheet

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Practice evaluating loan products by creating a spreadsheet to compare different loan options.

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Gather data on different loan products.
Create a spreadsheet with relevant criteria (interest rate, fees, etc.).
Calculate total cost of each loan.
Analyze the results and draw conclusions.

Tutor a Friend on Financial Products

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Reinforce your understanding by explaining financial products to someone else.

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Identify someone who needs help with financial products.
Prepare a lesson plan covering key concepts.
Explain the concepts and answer questions.
Get feedback on your teaching.

Career center

Learners who complete Complete Introduction to Financial Products and Services will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mortgage Broker

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between borrowers and lenders, helping individuals find the best mortgage options for their needs. They compare rates, terms, and loan products from various lenders. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps develop a thorough knowledge of different types of loans, including mortgages. You will learn how interest rates and repayment terms are structured, and how credit scores impact loan eligibility. Understanding these factors is crucial for helping clients navigate the mortgage market. The course's coverage of financial institutions and their offerings provides additional context for comparing lenders. Learning to assess the risk and benefits of these products will make you a better mortgage broker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mortgage Broker

Loan Officer

A loan officer evaluates and approves loan applications for individuals and businesses. They assess creditworthiness, analyze financial data, and ensure compliance with lending regulations. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps develop a strong understanding of different types of loans, including personal, mortgage, and auto loans. The course explains how interest rates and repayment terms are structured, and how credit scores impact loan eligibility. By understanding the basics of financial products and financial services providers, you can better assess the suitability of loan products for your clients. The knowledge gained about risk assessment and financial decision-making is also valuable in determining loan approvals. This course may be particularly useful for its focus on loan mechanics and credit score impacts, vital for a loan officer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Loan Officer

Credit Analyst

A credit analyst assesses the creditworthiness of individuals and businesses to determine the risk of lending money. They analyze financial statements, credit history, and industry trends to make informed decisions. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course may be useful in building a solid foundation for understanding various financial products, especially loans and credit cards. A deep dive into how loans are structured, interest rate calculations, and the impact of credit scores directly applies to the work of a credit analyst. The course's emphasis on evaluating financial institutions and assessing risk versus return further refines analytical skills needed in this role. The course may be particularly useful for its comprehensive coverage of credit-related topics beneficial to a credit analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Credit Analyst

Portfolio Manager

A portfolio manager is responsible for making investment decisions and managing investment portfolios on behalf of individuals or institutions. This often requires an advanced degree along with certifications. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps by giving a solid understanding of investment vehicles and derivatives. Portfolio management involves analyzing market trends, assessing risk, and selecting appropriate investments. As key investments involve stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds, the course’s knowledge of futures and options contracts is directly applicable. The knowledge gained about risk assessment and financial decision-making is extremely valuable in managing portfolios. Learning how to align financial products with financial decisions, will be particularly useful for a portfolio manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Portfolio Manager

Financial Planner

A financial planner helps individuals and families achieve their financial goals through comprehensive planning and advice. This includes budgeting, saving, investing, insurance, and retirement planning. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps build a foundation for understanding the various products available to clients, from savings accounts and credit cards to stocks, bonds, and derivatives. You will learn about the features, risks, and benefits of each, enabling you to provide informed recommendations. Understanding how loans work, the impact of credit scores, and different types of investment vehicles will enhance your ability to create tailored financial plans. This course may be particularly useful for its coverage of evaluating financial institutions and aligning financial products with client goals, essential skills for a financial planner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner

Hedge Fund Analyst

A hedge fund analyst conducts research and analysis to support investment decisions for hedge funds. This often requires an advanced degree along with certifications. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps by giving a solid understanding of investment vehicles and derivatives. The course's training will be valuable in understanding how to hedge and speculate. As key investments involve stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds, the course’s knowledge of futures and options contracts is directly applicable. The knowledge gained about risk assessment and financial decision-making is extremely valuable in managing portfolios. Learning how to align financial products with financial decisions, will be particularly useful for a hedge fund analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hedge Fund Analyst

Investment Advisor

An investment advisor provides advice and guidance to clients on how to invest their money to achieve their financial goals. This includes analyzing market trends, recommending suitable investment products, and managing investment portfolios. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps by providing a solid grounding in various investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds. Understanding the risks and benefits associated with each product, as well as derivatives like futures and options contracts, will help you in making smarter investment choices. By exploring financial institutions and learning how to evaluate them, you can better serve your clients' needs. This course may be particularly useful for its detailed coverage of investment products and risk management, essential for an investment advisor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Advisor

Financial Analyst

A financial analyst analyzes financial data, prepares reports, and provides recommendations to help organizations make informed business decisions. This could involve budgeting, forecasting, and investment analysis. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps by providing a comprehensive overview of financial products, including traditional investments and derivatives. Understanding risk management strategies and the ability to evaluate financial products are essential skills for a financial analyst. The course's coverage of financial institutions and their roles further enriches your analytical capabilities. Learning how to align financial products with financial goals, will be particularly useful for a financial analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Trader

A trader buys and sells financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives in financial markets. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course is useful as it develops an understanding of investment vehicles. As key investments involve stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds, the course’s knowledge of futures and options contracts is directly applicable. The knowledge gained about risk assessment and financial decision-making is extremely valuable in trading. Learning how to align financial products with financial decisions, will be particularly useful for a trader.

See salaries and explore the career path for Trader

Bank Teller

A bank teller provides customer service at a bank, handling transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and check cashing. They may also answer customer inquiries and promote bank products. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course helps build a strong understanding of basic financial products like savings accounts, checking accounts, and certificates of deposit. Learning how these products work and their common uses improves your ability to assist customers and answer their questions effectively. The course also covers financial institutions and how to choose the right bank or credit union, which may be useful for providing guidance to customers. While the course delves into more advanced topics as well, the foundational knowledge is beneficial for a bank teller.

See salaries and explore the career path for Bank Teller

Insurance Underwriter

An insurance underwriter evaluates the risk of insuring individuals and assets, determining appropriate coverage levels and premiums. They analyze data and assess the likelihood of claims. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course may be valuable in understanding the risk assessment aspects of financial products and services. While the course does not directly focus on insurance, the principles of evaluating risk versus return and understanding diversification as a risk management strategy are applicable. You may find that the course's modules on loans, investments, and financial institutions will broaden your understanding of the financial landscape. Learning to make informed financial decisions will assist you in making the best choices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Underwriter

Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent helps clients buy, sell, or rent properties. While their primary focus is on property transactions, understanding finance is crucial for advising clients on mortgages and investments. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course may be useful because it covers various aspects of financial products, including loans and mortgages. Learning how loans are structured, understanding interest rates, and the impact of credit scores will allow a real estate agent to better guide clients. The course may also be useful for understanding investment opportunities related to real estate. Learning how to assess risk involved in various products helps to inform clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Agent

Auditor

An auditor examines financial records and internal controls to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course may be of use to give an overview of the financial products to be audited, such as savings accounts or personal loans. The analysis of financial institutions offered in this course may be a good starting point for assessing organizations. The knowledge gained about risk assessment and financial decision-making may be extremely valuable in understanding compliance issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Compliance Officer

A compliance officer ensures that a financial institution adheres to laws, regulations, and internal policies. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course may be useful to get an understanding of the financial products that institutions offer and their regulations. Although the course does not directly focus on compliance, the analysis of financial institutions offered in this course may be useful. The knowledge gained about risk assessment and financial decision-making may be extremely valuable in understanding compliance issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Accounting Clerk

An accounting clerk performs routine clerical and accounting tasks, such as data entry, invoice processing, and record keeping. While this role is primarily focused on accounting functions, understanding basic financial products can be beneficial. This Introduction to Financial Products and Services course may be helpful in providing a basic understanding of financial terminology and concepts. By learning about financial products, banking services, and investment options, you will gain a broader context for your accounting tasks. The course may also be useful in understanding how financial institutions operate. Learning how to evaluate risk versus return and apply diversification strategies is also useful.

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Complete Introduction to Financial Products and Services

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