COURSE NUMBER: EWMBA 232-11

COURSE TITLE: Money Markets and Financial Institutions

UNITS OF CREDIT: 3 Units

INSTRUCTOR: Robert Becker

E-MAIL ADDRESS: rcbeckerjr@msn.com

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION (HTTP URL):

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

PREREQUISITE(S): It is assumed that the student is familiar with the fundamental concepts and theories in economics and accounting as these ideas are used to develop the course material.

CLASS FORMAT: Lectures will be supplemented by assigned readings as the primary sources of information. Workshop-type class meetings review will reinforce the concepts presented using homework and assignments. Guest speakers may be utilized. The instructor will introduce and discuss current situations in the marketplace to make the class relevant and current. Students are expected to be informed on major developments in course subject areas as apply to materials presented in lectures and assigned readings. Homework and/or class project may be assigned to each student or to predetermined groups. Class presentations may be required on subjects assigned if time permits.

REQUIRED READINGS:

  • Text: "Financial Institutions Management", 5th Edition, by Anthony Saunders and Marcia Millon Cornett, 2006, McGraw Hill.
  • The publisher provides additional information at http://www.mhhe.com/sc5e.
  • Additional readings to be assigned.
  • Internet and web based information sources.
  • A financial calculator is required and should be obtained early in the semester to enable you have enough time to get familiar with its operation. Any brand of financial calculator is acceptable. Students are required to familiarize themselves with the operation of their calculators.

    • BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Students will be evaluated on attendance and participation, two exams and possibly a group project based on the number of students enrolled.

    ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
    Study of the structure and functions of the financial system in the U.S. economy. Topics include the role of financial intermediaries (including commercial banks), the money market, sources and uses of long-term funds, interest rates and security prices, the role of the Federal Reserve, monetary policy and international capital markets.

    Course Topics include:

  • Interest rates
  • Security valuation
  • Money markets, capital markets, mortgage markets
  • Foreign exchange markets
  • Commercial banking and bank management
  • Risk management in financial institutions
  • Bank regulation
  • Thrifts
  • Insurance companies
  • Finance companies
  • Investment banks
  • Pension funds and mutual funds

    • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
    The instructor has 30 years of professional and financial services experience with a number of large international firms including Citicorp., Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Bear Stearns and KPMG. His experience and expertise are in the areas corporate finance, credit analysis, mergers and acquisitions and financial institutions in the domestic and international markets.

    He has previously taught finance, valuations, investment and financial institutions courses at the American University of Beirut and Sonoma State University.

    He holds an BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a MBA from the University of Chicago.