The aims of this module are to widen students’ knowledge of the law relating to banking and finance in the U.K., and of the influence of international institutions and developments upon the U.K. banking and financial sectors.

A    Knowledge and Understanding:

• critically evaluate the activities of regulatory agencies active in the UK and EU banking environment.
• understand, compare and contrast philosophical approaches to bank and financial services regulation.
• develop a critical understanding of legal rights and obligations of customers and institutions which interact in the domestic and international banking and financial services environment.

B    Intellectual Skills:

• the ability to read and apply international and national legislative instruments.
• the ability to understand and predict bank failures.
• the ability to critically evaluate the rights and obligations of banks and their customers.

C    Discipline Specific Skills:

• to gain an in depth knowledge of borrowing options and capital market instruments available to corporate borrowers and financial institutions.
• to understand selected case studies arising in the financial services industry.
• to critically appraise the functions and strategies of supranational regulatory agencies.

D    Transferable Skills:

• critical analysis.
• technology skills including accessing internet-based resources.
• ability to prepare reports on practical current issues.

The module will be delivered through a mix of large & small group face-to-face sessions, including, where relevant, supporting digital learning activities and/or recordings

The examination contains a range of questions designed to test student’s knowledge, comprehension and analytical skills.  Students are particularly encouraged to demonstrate their reading and critical appraisal skills. The questions set are designed to fully assess the student’s skills and knowledge, as well as their appreciation of international issues and developments.

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000; role and recommendations of the Basel Committee; European Union Directives and the process of regulatory harmonisation; regulation of the investment markets; philosophical issues in bank regulation; bank failures; money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and responses by regulatory agencies; the capital markets, including swaps, securitisation, syndication; green finance, including the Equator Principles, debt-for-nature swaps; the UK/EU financial services industries; role of the FSA; practical issues and legal principles relating to  bankers’ security.