Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Robo-Advising

What are Robo-advisers and how do they add value to the customers? This module was designed to give you foundational knowledge of Modern Portfolio Theory and Robo-Advising. You’ll identify and analyze the building blocks of robo-advising, and gain a better understanding of how robo-advisers deliver high-impact investment advice at high volume and low costs. Through the framework of Modern Portfolio Theory, you’ll learn key concepts such as Mean Variance Optimization, the importance of diversification, and the foundations of Index Mutual Funds. By the end of this module, you’ll be better able to assess the risks and benefits of traditional investment advising to secure a better return on your investments.

Module 2: Crowdfunding

In this module, you’ll examine the promises and challenges of crowdfunding, and look closely at impact Investing. First, you'll explore the risks behind investing through crowdfunding. You’ll also learn about the JOBS Act of 2012 and identify the new approaches to finance innovation caused by the statute. Through calculation of the costs of using crowdfunding for investment, you’ll analyze the value "the wisdom of crowds" and gauge the risks and rewards of impact investing. By the end of this module, you’ll have a framework for thinking of the challenges that crowdfunding presents and how to overcome them effectively while exerting sustainable and meaningful impact.

Module 3: Marketplace Lending

In this module, you’ll examine peer-to-peer lending and its effect on the consumer credit landscape and marketplace lending. Through identification and understanding of the different types of debt in an average household, you’ll develop the analytical skills to exploit opportunities to use financial technologies to improve your financial health. You’ll also discover the value of peer-to-peer lending platforms and how they offer an alternative method to financing debt. By the end of this module, you’ll gain a better understanding of the current consumer credit landscape and be able to better analyze the methodology behind fintech companies that refinance loans for consumers.

Module 4: Case Studies

This module was designed to provide you with an opportunity to explore successful fintech companies in action, so you can develop an understanding of how the capabilities of fintech can be form the foundations of new business models. David Klein, CEO of CommonBond, and Jackie Reses, Capital Lead of Square, provide deeper insights into the evolution of fintech, and explain how their organizations effectively utilized fintech's benefits while overcoming its challenges. By the end of this module, you’ll have a better understanding of the practical applications of fintech in an organization and fintech's potential for creating new market opportunities.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational skills in modern portfolio theory, empowering students to assess risks and manage their investments more effectively

Covers practical applications of crowdfunding and marketplace lending, insights from the case studies of Square and CommonBond

Taught by David Musto of the Wharton School, who is renowned for his expertise in modern portfolio theory and financial technology

No prerequisites are required, making this course suitable for beginners in the field

Provides an in-depth understanding of financial technology and explores its potential for creating new market opportunities

Reviews summary

Modern financial innovations

Learners say the Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing course is largely positive, offering insights into robo-advising, lending, crowdfunding, and investing. Excellent video lectures and case studies provide engaging assignments that showcase the practical applications of financial technology (FinTech). This course delivers valuable knowledge in a clear and accessible way, making it a great choice for understanding the disruption and future prospects of the financial market.

Interactive quizzes and case studies

"Quizzes were quite fun since they weren't just based on what was on the slide, but also on the concepts taught."

"The 2 case studies on FinTech companies (Square and CommonBond) provided an exposure to the practical applications of financial, their impact and the opportunities it can tap in future."

Easy to understand and follow

"Very easy to understand delivery by Prof Gusto"

"Easier that this would have made it too elementary and if it had been too rigorous it would have been discouraging for someone just looking for a better understanding"

"Valuable in terms of knowledge imparted with inclusion & upsurgence of tech in finance domains"

Engaging and knowledgeable instructor

"David Musto is a phenomenal professor, and makes everything seem so clear and well-articulated."

"Prof Musto is a great instructor. Really enjoyed his interesting examples and engaging method of teaching."

"Excellent delivery by instructors. The study cases were inspiring and encouraging."

Relevant and well-presented material

"Offered insights on a variety of topics and has informed my thinking about applications of FinTech"

"Very challenging! Had learned a lot!"

"This course provided me with a strong understanding of how lending works and how technology is being used to add opportunities for both lenders and borrowers,."

Practical and applicable knowledge

"Very engaging and applicable. Loved that this course touched on portfolio theory, very interesting!"

"This course is a real eye opener for future opportunities in my home country."

"The course greatly covers the foudamentals of Fintech as related to lending, crowdfunding, modern investment and thier disruptive aspects in the financial industry."

Could use more examples and depth

"It's a good course, but some videos are so long to explain concepts with poor depth."

"The content of the course is good. However, the professor explains the same is not very pointed - confusing and long story telling."

"this course gives me a overall knowledge on lending and other modern lending alternatives. But it is so few case study and visibility to show how the flow work."

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 Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing with these activities:

Review financial mathematics concepts

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Financial mathematics is essential for understanding the quantitative aspects of robo-advising, crowdfunding, and marketplace lending. Reviewing these concepts will help you to better grasp the material covered in the course.

Browse courses on Financial Mathematics

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Review your notes from previous courses on financial mathematics.
Work through practice problems to test your understanding of the concepts.

Follow a tutorial on marketplace lending

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Marketplace lending is a rapidly growing industry. Following a tutorial can help you to understand the key concepts and players in this market.

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Choose a tutorial that covers the basics of marketplace lending.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to learn about the different types of marketplace lending platforms and the risks and rewards involved.

Practice calculating risks and returns in robo-advising

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Robo-advising involves complex calculations for risk and return. Practicing these calculations will improve your ability to evaluate and select robo-advising services.

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Use an online calculator or spreadsheet to calculate the expected return and risk of different asset allocations.
Compare the results of your calculations to the recommendations of different robo-advising platforms.

Four other activities

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Participate in a peer-led study group

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Discussing the course material with peers can help you to identify areas where you need additional support and gain new perspectives on the topics covered.

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Find a group of classmates who are also interested in forming a study group.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material, work on practice problems, and prepare for exams.

Write a blog post on the benefits of crowdfunding

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Creating a blog post on crowdfunding can help you to solidify your understanding of its benefits and challenges, as well as explore different approaches to this form of fundraising.

Browse courses on Crowdfunding

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Research the different types of crowdfunding platforms and their advantages and disadvantages.
Identify a specific crowdfunding campaign and analyze its success factors.
Write a blog post sharing your findings and insights on the benefits of crowdfunding.

Enter a fintech case competition

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Fintech case competitions provide an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to real-world problems. Participating in a competition can help you to develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills.

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Identify a fintech case competition that is relevant to your interests.
Form a team of classmates or colleagues to work on the case.
Develop a solution to the case and prepare a presentation.
Present your solution to a panel of judges.

Develop a business plan for a fintech startup

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Creating a business plan for a fintech startup will allow you to apply the concepts and theories learned in the course to a real-world scenario.

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Identify a problem or opportunity in the fintech industry.
Develop a solution to the problem or opportunity.
Create a business plan outlining your solution, target market, and financial projections.

Career center

Learners who complete Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts play a crucial role in the financial industry, providing valuable insights and recommendations to investment professionals and businesses. This course in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing offered by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School would be highly beneficial for aspiring Financial Analysts. The course delves into the foundational theories behind robo-advising, crowdfunding, and marketplace lending, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to analyze and optimize investment portfolios. By gaining a deeper understanding of these innovative financial technologies, you can enhance your ability to make informed investment decisions and contribute effectively to the financial sector.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing investment portfolios on behalf of individuals and institutions. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing provides a solid foundation for aspiring Portfolio Managers. The course covers the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory, which is essential for understanding how to construct and manage diversified portfolios that meet specific investment objectives. By learning about robo-advising and crowdfunding, you will gain insights into the latest trends in investment management and how to leverage these technologies to enhance portfolio performance.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers play a vital role in the financial markets, advising companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other strategic transactions. This course in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing offered by Wharton can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Investment Bankers. The course covers the fundamentals of debt and equity financing, as well as the use of financial technologies in investment banking. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to analyze financial transactions and provide sound advice to clients.

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Financial Risk Manager

Financial Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial risks faced by organizations. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable insights for aspiring Financial Risk Managers. The course covers the principles of risk management, as well as the use of financial technologies to manage risk. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to develop and implement effective risk management strategies.

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FinTech Analyst

FinTech Analysts specialize in analyzing the financial technology industry and identifying emerging trends. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide a strong foundation for aspiring FinTech Analysts. The course covers the latest developments in financial technologies, as well as the impact of these technologies on the financial industry. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to analyze and evaluate the potential of FinTech companies.

See salaries and explore the career path for FinTech Analyst

Investment Fund Manager

Investment Fund Managers oversee the investment activities of mutual funds, hedge funds, and other investment vehicles. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Investment Fund Managers. The course covers the principles of portfolio management, as well as the use of financial technologies in investment management. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to manage investment funds and achieve superior returns for investors.

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Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Financial Advisors. The course covers the principles of financial planning, as well as the use of financial technologies to provide advice. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to help clients achieve their financial goals.

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Business Consultant

Business Consultants provide advice to businesses on a wide range of issues, including finance, strategy, and operations. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Business Consultants. The course covers the principles of business analysis, as well as the use of financial technologies to improve business performance. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to help businesses achieve their goals.

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Financial Economist

Financial Economists apply economic principles to analyze financial markets and institutions. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Financial Economists. The course covers the principles of financial economics, as well as the use of financial technologies to analyze financial data. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to conduct research and provide insights on financial markets.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Data Analysts. The course covers the principles of data analysis, as well as the use of financial technologies to analyze financial data. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to extract insights from data and provide valuable recommendations to businesses.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Market Researchers. The course covers the principles of marketing research, as well as the use of financial technologies to conduct research. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to gather and analyze market data and provide valuable insights to businesses.

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Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Quantitative Analysts. The course covers the principles of quantitative finance, as well as the use of financial technologies to analyze financial data. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to develop and implement quantitative models for investment决策Making.

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Financial Technologist

Financial Technologists develop and implement financial technologies. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Financial Technologists. The course covers the principles of financial technology, as well as the use of financial technologies to improve the financial industry. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to develop and implement innovative financial technologies.

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Blockchain Developer

Blockchain Developers develop and implement blockchain-based applications. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing can provide valuable knowledge for aspiring Blockchain Developers. The course covers the principles of blockchain technology, as well as the use of blockchain technology to develop innovative applications. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to develop and implement blockchain-based solutions for a variety of industries.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and implement software applications. This course offered by Wharton in Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing may be useful for aspiring Software Engineers who are interested in developing financial applications. The course covers the principles of software engineering, as well as the use of financial technologies to develop software applications. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can enhance your ability to develop and implement innovative software applications for the financial industry.

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