FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Overview of FinTech & Market Size

This module was designed to give you foundational overview of FinTech and robo-advising. You’ll identify the main goals of fintech and forecast the future of robo-advising by discussing Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services. Through defining the market size, you’ll learn key areas in which fintech and financial apps have gained traction. And finally, you will analyze the reported valuations of selected robo-advisors and observe the growth of fintech in both insurtech and global markets. By the end of this module, you’ll be better able to assess the value of FinTech and robo-advising, and gain a better understanding of the future of fintech in various financial markets.

Module 2: Key Considerations in FinTech

In this module, you’ll examine new attitudes towards financial advice and trust in the financial industry. Through close examination of the financial behaviors of millennials, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the effects of technology in changing personal financial practices. You’ll also explore the emergence of risk aversion and impact investing due to changing ideas about the purpose of businesses. Then you’ll discuss the key components and characteristics of both a successful financial advisor and financial algorithms. By the end of this module, you will better understand the future of investing, and be able to utilize trust to overcome volatile markets and navigate complex decisions.

Module 3: Payments

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the foundations of payment methods, and focus more closely on the history and regulation of payments. You’ll begin by examining the history and current global trends in payment methods by analyzing UnionPay. Then you’ll look at the evolution of credit cards, the two-sided payment markets, and the inherent issues of the credit card payment system. You’ll learn key aspects behind complex payment processes, the regulation behind payment methods, and promising solutions from fintech for concerns in the credit card market. By the end of this module, you’ll have a richer understanding of the growth of payment systems and their regulations, and of the impact of fintech in the future of payment systems.

Module 4: Regulation

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the concerns and innovations in financial regulation and focus more closely on the emergence of fintech. By discussing theoretical criticisms of regulation, you’ll gain a better understanding behind balance between regulation and innovation and the tradeoffs that come with the balance. Through analyzing the Great Recession of 2008 and its impact on regulations in the financial industry, you’ll study the emergence of fintech as an entrepreneurial solution for financial businesses. Through identification of fintech and outlining its massive growth, you will evaluate the main benefits and issues within this the emerging field. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to identify how regulations manage innovative approaches, and employ best practices of utilizing fintech in your organization while understanding the global landscape of fintech regulation

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores fintech and robo-advising, which is standard in the financial industry

Taught by professors Natasha Sarin and Chris Geczy, who are recognized for their work in the Wharton School

Develops knowledge in fintech strategies and their role in the future of investing

Provides insights into changing demographic forces that impact investment strategies

Examines the dynamic between financial innovations and regulations, which is highly relevant to the finance industry

Explicitly requires no prerequisites, making it accessible to a wide range of learners

Reviews summary

Fintech: laying the groundwork

Learners say this course provides a solid starting point for those wanting to understand the rapidly growing FinTech industry. According to students, "engaging assignments" and "knowledgeable instructors" help learners grasp the basics of FinTech, including its history, types of payments, and legal frameworks. However, some reviews note a lack of practical information and a focus on the US market, which may limit the course's relevance for learners in other regions.

Gain insights into the significant influence millennials have on FinTech adoption and the implications for businesses.

"The course gives a basic information of Fintech and all the aspects connecting to the Fintech world."

"Provides a good understanding of the history of how fintech came to be, its relationship with regulations and the psychological state of customers, particularly millennials."

"The regulation part in first 2 weeks was very boring but the course part in second 2 weeks was quite interesting."

Delve into the intricacies of payment systems, their evolution, and the regulatory landscape surrounding them.

"You will understand the basics of payments and the challenges the industry is facing."

"Great and full of learning, the only issue is that the course is from 2019 and Fintech has changed a lot since then."

"I have got an idea over payment systems, Fintech, regulatory issues from that course. Natasha Sarin's lecture was something I liked most."

Grasp the overall landscape of FinTech, its history, and the factors influencing its growth.

"Provides a thorough high level overview."

"A very rich course in knowledge, approaches and concepts."

"This course provides a good foundation for beginners as well as experienced professionals in Financial industry in terms of how the innovations are continuing to evolve and the regulatory challenges associated with rapid growth of innovation."

The course may not provide sufficient practical knowledge or hands-on experience for learners seeking a deeper understanding of FinTech.

"I really liked the first module, I look forward for the next modules"

"Good course with very interesting lectures. would be helpful if the material could be more updated."

"Great course as an introduction to the why of Fintech and its implicationsMost of the references and charts are 3 - 4 yeard old. So they would need to be updated if available."

Be aware that the course primarily focuses on the US market, which may not fully represent the global FinTech landscape.

"The module is extensively US-centric whereas FinTech is global and the success of a FinTech company is through economies of scale."

"The course has not been updates since 2018 and there is no year when this content was roduced. Its a bit deceptive."

"The course is extremely short and basic, which is not an issue if you know that before starting. A bit outdated (data until 2018, examples..)"

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: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations with these activities:

Review Credit Card Basics

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Reviewing credit card basics will provide a solid foundation for understanding the topics covered in this course.

Browse courses on Credit Cards

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Summarize the history and evolution of credit cards.
Explain the key features and benefits of credit cards.
Discuss the different types of credit cards available.

Organize Course Materials and Resources

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Create a central repository of course materials, notes, and resources for easy reference and efficient learning.

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Gather all course materials, including lecture notes, assignments, and readings.
Organize materials into a logical structure using folders or note-taking software.
Create a digital or physical index for easy navigation and retrieval of materials.

Review Basic Financial Concepts

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Strengthen your foundation in financial principles to enhance your understanding of fintech investment strategies.

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Review books or articles on topics like personal finance, investing, and financial markets.
Take online courses or attend workshops on financial literacy.
Practice calculating financial metrics and analyzing financial statements.

Seven other activities

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Read 'The FinTech Book' by Susanne Chishti and Janos Barberis

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Gain comprehensive knowledge about the fintech industry, its impact on financial markets, and the latest fintech innovations.

View The WEALTHTECH Book: The FinTech Handbook for... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Summarize the main arguments and insights presented in the book.

Follow Tutorials on Robo-Advisors and Payment Systems

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Enhance your understanding of fintech applications by following guided tutorials and demonstrations.

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Identify and follow online tutorials or workshops on specific fintech topics.
Practice using the techniques and strategies covered in the tutorials.
Apply the knowledge gained from the tutorials to real-world investment scenarios.

Discuss Payment Method Innovations

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Engaging in peer discussions will foster a deeper understanding of the innovative approaches in payment methods.

Browse courses on Payment Methods

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Prepare talking points based on the course materials.
Lead the discussion and facilitate the exchange of ideas.
Summarize key insights and share learnings.

Explore Advanced Payment Processing Techniques

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Following guided tutorials will enhance your understanding of advanced payment processing techniques used in fintech applications.

Browse courses on Payment Processing

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Identify reputable online tutorials or courses.
Complete the tutorials and practice the techniques.
Apply the techniques in a personal or academic project.

Create a Robo-Advisor Simulation

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Building a simulation of a robo-advisor will provide hands-on experience in applying the concepts learned in this course.

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Design the architecture of the simulation.
Implement the core functionality of the simulation.
Test and validate the simulation.

Develop a Fintech Regulation Proposal

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Creating a proposal on fintech regulation will allow you to apply your knowledge of the regulatory landscape and its impact on the fintech industry.

Browse courses on FinTech Regulation

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Research and analyze current fintech regulations.
Identify areas where regulations can be improved.
Develop a comprehensive proposal for new or revised regulations.

Develop a FinTech Investment Proposal

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Apply your knowledge of fintech investment strategies to develop a comprehensive investment proposal for a real-world client or scenario.

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Define the client's investment objectives and risk tolerance.
Conduct market research to identify potential investment opportunities.
Develop a diversified investment portfolio using a combination of fintech tools and traditional investment strategies.
Create a detailed investment proposal outlining the rationale, expected returns, and risk management strategies.

Career center

Learners who complete FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

FinTech Entrepreneur

Fintech Entrepreneurs are responsible for starting and running their own fintech companies. They will typically have a strong understanding of both technology and finance. Fintech Entrepreneurs typically have at least a bachelor's degree, but some may also have an MBA or other advanced degree. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as a Fintech Entrepreneur by breaking down fintech and all its components. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the fintech landscape and develop successful fintech products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for FinTech Entrepreneur

Financial Technologist

Financial Technologists are responsible for developing and implementing new financial technologies. They will typically have a strong understanding of both technology and finance. Financial Technologists typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as a Financial Technologist by breaking down fintech and all its components. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the fintech landscape and develop successful fintech products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Technologist

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst assists companies in making smart financial decisions. It is typical for Financial Analysts to hold either a bachelor's or a master's degree in finance. Those with master's degrees may have an advantage in their applications and be working towards financial management. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as a Financial Analyst by breaking down fintech and all its components. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge to advise clients on investments and financial strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

FinTech Consultant

Fintech Consultants help businesses adopt and implement fintech solutions. They will typically have a strong understanding of both technology and finance. Fintech Consultants typically need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as a Fintech Consultant by breaking down fintech and all its components. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the fintech landscape and help businesses adopt and implement fintech solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for FinTech Consultant

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers are in charge of helping companies raise capital for their business. Some typical duties are working on mergers and acquisitions or handling initial public offerings. Many Investment Bankers have a bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics or another business-related field. However, a master's degree is usually required to advance to senior roles. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as an Investment Banker by breaking down fintech and all its components. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge to better understand the financial markets and the role of fintech within this landscape.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors help people with their financial planning. They will typically advise clients on investing and saving for the future. Financial Advisors need to be licensed. Most Financial Advisors have a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Some Financial Advisors also hold master's degrees or even MBAs. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as a Financial Advisor by breaking down financial technology and all its components. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge to better understand your clients needs and develop the best financial strategies to meet those needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Advisor

Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families manage their finances. They will typically help clients create a budget, plan for retirement, and save for their goals. Financial Planners typically need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, but many also have master's degrees. They also typically need to be licensed. This course will help you build a foundation for your career as a Financial Planner by discussing the role of technology in modern financial markets. The course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand how fintech can be used to improve your clients' financial health.

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Accountant

Accountants will typically be responsible for managing financial data for a business or organization. They create financial reports and file tax documents as well as help to manage the budget. Accountants typically need a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as an Accountant and want to specialize in financial technology.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They will typically provide reports and insights that can be used to make better decisions. Data Analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in a field like computer science, statistics, or mathematics. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Data Analyst and want to specialize in financial technology.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers analyze and assess the financial risks that a company or organization faces. They may be responsible for implementing strategies to mitigate such risks. Risk Managers typically need a master's degree with a focus on financial risk management or a similar field. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Risk Manager and want to specialize in fintech.

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Investment Manager

Investment Managers are responsible for managing investment portfolios for individuals and organizations. They will typically make investment decisions based on their analysis of the financial markets. Investment Managers typically need a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as an Investment Manager and want to specialize in fintech.

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Financial Risk Analyst

Financial Risk Analysts are responsible for assessing the financial risks that a company or organization faces. They will typically develop and implement strategies to mitigate such risks. Financial Risk Analysts typically need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Financial Risk Analyst and want to specialize in fintech.

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Quant Analyst

Quant Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data. They will typically develop trading strategies and make investment decisions based on their analysis. Quant Analysts typically need a master's degree in a field like financial engineering, mathematics, or statistics. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Quant Analyst and want to specialize in fintech.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with businesses to identify opportunities for improvement. They will typically analyze data, develop recommendations, and help implement changes. Business Analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Business Analyst and want to specialize in fintech.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. They may work on a variety of projects, from developing new features to fixing bugs. Software Engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. This course may be useful for those who wish to pursue a career as a Software Engineer and want to specialize in financial technology.

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