Financial Intermediation

Objectives

The course aims at describing the structure of financial intermediaries, and in particular banks, and the tools to manage interest rate and credit risk.

Description / Program

We begin by defining the various types of financial intermediaries, their typical balance sheet and risks they face. We next turn to an analysis of models for quantifying credit risk. We outline the various approaches that are used by banks to measure the risk of their loan portfolios. We discuss how to manage these risks using credit derivatives and securitization, and their pricing. We then describe models to quantify the amount of interest rate risk that is typically faced by banks.

Learning Method / Style of Lessons

Lectures will alternate between discussion of new theoretical material and exercise sessions.

Exam Style

Grading is based on an in-class, closed-book final and take-home assignments.

Readings/Textbooks

Lecture notes will be made available on the course website. The recommended textbook for the course is "Financial Institution Management" by A. Saunders and M. Cornett