Topics in Finance
2nd Semester, Course Code: ΜΕΧΘ13
Credits: 8
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will:
- Possess specialized knowledge and critical understanding of the functionality, utility, and advantages of Financial Derivatives.
- Be able to evaluate the impact of changes in Exchange Rates on loans and, consequently, on borrowers and banks.
- Be able to substantiate their positions on issues concerning Data Protection, Factoring, various types of Leasing, and the regulatory framework of Digital Banking.
- Additionally, they will be able to conduct seminars where they train non-specialized professionals on all the above topics.
- be able to contribute through their professional activity to the implementation of the regulatory framework of Digital Banking and compliance with the institutional framework of GDPR
- Finally, they will be in a position to develop the knowledge they have acquired either through research or in their professional activity.
General Competences
- Search, analysis and synthesis of financial data and information using the necessary technologies
- Adaptation to new situations
- Decision making
Course Content
Part 1: Financial Derivatives
- Exchange vs OTC markets
- OTC Derivatives: Forwards and Swaps
- Exchange Traded Derivatives (ETDs): Options and Futures contracts
- Clearinghouses: OCC and CFTC
Part 2: Foreign Exchange in practice
- Nominal – Real – Nominal Effective – Real Effective Exchange Rate
- The case of Swiss Franc (CHF) Loans
Part 3: Institutional Framework for Personal Data
- GDPR and DPA
Part 4: Leasing
- Operating lease
- Finance lease
- Direct leasing, Sale and Leaseback, Leveraged leasing, Vendor leasing, etc.
- Advantages and Disadvantages
Part 5: Factoring and Commercial Finance
- How factoring improves liquidity
- Advantages and Disadvantages
Part 6: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies
- Blockchain
- Cryptocurrencies
- Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
- Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
- Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA)
- Legal issues
Part 7: Fundamentals of Digital Banking
- Digital Finance
- Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)
- Various risks
Student Performance Evaluation
The evaluation procedure requires from the students to undertake a group project related to the modules of the course which they will present in the last lectures of the course.
Bibliography
Suggested Bibliography
The Slides of the Presentations
Related Academic Journals