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Michiel van den Broek

Starting in the '80s, banks have become huge financial supermarkets offering a wide range of different services and products. Employees in these large banks have developed specialized expertise in the area in which they decide to make a career. Along with rapid developments in information technology this has resulted in large IT departments staffed by people without any particular financial and banking education.

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Starting in the '80s, banks have become huge financial supermarkets offering a wide range of different services and products. Employees in these large banks have developed specialized expertise in the area in which they decide to make a career. Along with rapid developments in information technology this has resulted in large IT departments staffed by people without any particular financial and banking education.

For example: How was it possible that the 1929 financial crisis was repeated by the 2008 credit crisis? The outrage and confusion illustrates the knowledge gap of understanding what banks do, what happens on financial markets and what is needed to prevent a derailment of the financial sector.

Since 2005, I train people in the financial sector. To bridge the basic knowledge gap with an easy accessible tool, I have created a 3 hour video E-training at Udemy.

Example topics covered by this course:

  • Learn about money types and the role of Central Banks;

  • Understand the different bank types and their activities;

  • Get an overview of the 3 financial product categories to trade capital, foreign currencies and risk

  • Understand financial market products trading: how, why and by whom;

  • What happens on a dealing room;

  • You will be introduced to types of derivative products and why they are used;

  • Learn about the root of the 2008 financial crisis and how it can be prevented;

  • Understand exchange trading by a 20 minute entertaining video of the history of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

BONUS: Students can download a FREE copy of my 40 page book Understand Banks and Financial Markets (Normal price $6) at Smashwords.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Improve you skills to work in the finance industry
  • Understand financial products and the language of finance
  • Identify the 3 types of money and how banks create money
  • You will learn what different types of banks do and how they make money
  • Overview of the 3 financial product categories to trade capital, foreign currencies and risk
  • Understand the emotions that drive risk management
  • The different types of derivative products and why they are traded in high volumes
  • Know the root of the 2008 financial crisis and how it can be prevented
  • Know how, why and by whom products are traded on financial markets
  • What is the role of central banks and their influence
  • How money is created
  • Overview of the payment prcoess
  • Risk management basics
  • Prepare for garp or aci certifications
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction and Structure

After reading this booklet you will understand the fundamentals of the banking industry. Also it supports participants of my other training programmes and workshops.

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This short video explains the three different types of money and who can create money. Also you will learn about the money multiplier and liquidity reserve. Source of this video: http://positivemoney.org/videos/

This short video gives you an overview of the payment process. You will learn about the role of Central Banks and how banks settle payments. Source of this video: http://positivemoney.org/videos/

This video gives an example of credit card payment. This video is created by the Kahn Academy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPxQQNyCxas)

In this film you will learn about the history of the first public financial trading: The Amsterdam Stock Exchange. It illustrates the development and future of trading..

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for beginners in the finance sector or those seeking a refresher on the fundamentals
Provides a comprehensive overview of banking and financial markets
Led by an experienced professional with expertise in the financial industry
Covers core concepts such as money, banks, and financial products
Emphasizes the practical aspects of finance, including risk management and financial markets trading
Includes a downloadable e-book for further learning and reference

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Reviews summary

Foundational guide to banks and markets

According to students, this course offers a clear and accessible introduction to the world of banks and financial markets, making complex concepts understandable for beginners and non-finance professionals. Learners frequently commend its concise nature, making it an efficient overview. While praised for demystifying topics like the 2008 financial crisis and derivative products, some learners with prior knowledge found the content too introductory for deep dives. A few reviews mentioned dated production quality in some videos. The included bonus e-book is consistently highlighted as a valuable supplementary resource.
Covers key financial events and includes a valuable e-book.
"I particularly appreciated the modules on the 2008 financial crisis and derivative products, which were demystified."
"The section on Central Banks and money creation was particularly enlightening."
"The bonus e-book is also a great companion."
"The bonus materials were a pleasant surprise."
Provides a quick yet effective learning experience.
"It's concise, perhaps a little too much so for deep dives, but perfect as a starting point."
"The course length is just right for a quick but effective learning experience."
"Very concise and to the point. The modules are bite-sized, which makes it easy to consume."
"It's short, so it doesn't dive deep, but it gives a coherent picture of the financial landscape."
Explains complex financial topics simply.
"The instructor explains complex concepts in a very clear and understandable way."
"The explanations are simple yet comprehensive. I now feel much more confident discussing financial terms at work."
"Exactly what I needed as a beginner in finance. The concepts were broken down perfectly."
"I had always been intimidated by financial jargon, but this made it accessible."
Some videos have dated visuals or lower production value.
"Some of the videos felt a bit dated in terms of production quality."
"The production value is quite low, which sometimes distracts from the content."
"A few parts could benefit from updated examples or graphics to make them more engaging."
Good for basics, but not for advanced exploration.
"As someone with some prior knowledge, I found parts of it a bit too basic."
"I felt some topics, especially derivatives, could have been explored in more depth. It's a quick overview, so don't expect to become an expert."
"It's a very basic course. If you have any prior finance education, you might find it too introductory."

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 Understand Banks & Financial Markets with these activities:
Review Introduction to Financial Markets
Review the key concepts and principles of financial markets to strengthen your foundational understanding of the course material.
Show steps
  • Read the assigned chapters from the textbook.
  • Take notes and highlight important passages.
  • Create a summary or mind map of the key concepts.
  • Participate in online discussions or forums to reinforce your understanding.
Review Bank Management
Gain insights into the intricacies of bank management to supplement the course's coverage of bank operations and financial strategies.
Show steps
  • Read the specified chapters from the textbook.
  • Identify and analyze key concepts and theories.
  • Compare and contrast different management approaches.
  • Apply your understanding to case studies or simulations.
Explore Online Banking Platforms
Familiarize yourself with the features and functionality of online banking platforms to enhance your understanding of modern banking practices.
Browse courses on Finance
Show steps
  • Visit websites or mobile apps of different banks.
  • Explore the available services, such as account management, bill payments, and investment options.
  • Compare the user interfaces and ease of use.
  • Read reviews or articles about the latest trends in online banking.
Four other activities
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Show all seven activities
Compile Glossary of Banking Terms and Concepts
Create a comprehensive glossary of key banking terms and concepts to enhance your understanding and retention of the course material.
Browse courses on Finance
Show steps
  • Identify and list important terms from class lectures, readings, and discussions.
  • Define each term clearly and concisely using reliable sources.
  • Organize the glossary alphabetically or by category.
  • Review the glossary regularly to reinforce your understanding.
Attend Industry Conferences or Webinars
Engage with professionals in the banking industry at conferences or webinars to expand your network and gain insights from experts.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Identify relevant conferences or webinars aligned with your interests.
  • Register and attend the events.
  • Network with speakers, attendees, and industry professionals.
  • Follow up with valuable connections after the event.
Practice Financial Statement Analysis
Engage in practice exercises to develop your skills in analyzing financial statements, a crucial aspect of understanding bank performance and risk.
Show steps
  • Obtain sample financial statements from banks or online databases.
  • Identify and calculate key financial ratios.
  • Analyze the ratios to assess financial performance, liquidity, and solvency.
  • Compare the results with industry benchmarks or peer banks.
Develop a Financial Plan for a Start-up
Apply your knowledge of banking and finance to develop a financial plan for a hypothetical start-up, showcasing your ability to plan and strategize for business success.
Browse courses on Financial Planning
Show steps
  • Define the business concept and identify target market.
  • Estimate start-up costs, revenue projections, and profit margins.
  • Secure funding through loans, investments, or crowdfunding.
  • Create a budget and cash flow statement.
  • Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Career center

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