Institute of Banking

Modules and learning outcomes

01 Ethics and Corporate Governance (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

This module looks at the corporate governance best practice principles and their application in both a financial services and a general organisational setting. It also aims to provide students with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ethical dimension of corporate governance and, in doing so, stresses the importance of corporate culture to the longevity of organisations. In considering the behaviours and decision-making processes of individuals, groups, and specifically those charged with governing organisations, the module offers approaches for dealing with common ethical dilemmas and ethical crises.

02 Risk Management in Financial Institutions (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

This module presents risk management best practice principles and their application in financial services. It is both quantitative and qualitative in nature reflecting the breadth of the topic. The module introduces a number of topics and methodologies and will also require input from your professional experience to develop a practical understanding of risk management in operation. The module addresses the different types of risk including market, interest rate, credit, conduct and operational risk.

03 Corporate Finance (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

This module addresses the essential aspects of corporate finance, including agency theory, project investment appraisal, the financing and maturity mix, working capital management policy, mergers and acquisitions, and dividend policy. It will give you the knowledge and skills essential in corporate banking and develop your professional judgement in considering financing proposals from corporate customers.

04 Asset Management (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

An understanding of robust financial planning and wealth management is an important pre-requisite for meeting customers' financial and lifestyle objectives. This module covers core concepts in modern portfolio theory and marries them with the practical application of tools and techniques to construct and manage client portfolios. It assimilates a range of theoretical and empirical evidence to provide the best solutions when advising customers on investment and wealth management.

05 Strategy and innovation for retail financial services (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

Globally, advances in information technology have disrupted banks' traditional business models and forced a re-evaluation of strategy. This new digital era has fundamentally changed the role of branch networks with the emergence of omni-channel distribution via the internet and mobile devices. This module considers the strategic choices available to management and investigates the new and emerging business models. It explores advances in data analytics to understand consumer behaviours and the development of a compelling customer experience in the digital world. Understanding the impact of innovation is a critical factor in creating a strategic framework for new solutions and opportunities to support competitive advantage.

06 Tax and estate planning (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

Optional

This module introduces the fundamentals of the Irish taxation system and international aspects of taxation relevant to financial planning and wealth management. It covers the key taxation provisions and reliefs of the Irish tax legislation applicable to succession and estate planning which are relevant to the financial planner.

07 Behavioural decision-making (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

In this module you will be introduced to the interface of economics and human behaviour in financial decision-making. The applicability of behavioural finance ranges from providing alternative insights into understanding stock market crises to retail financial services. You will explore the limits of traditional economic analysis of decision-making under uncertainty, and develop your understanding of the behavioural critique and its applicability across a range of financial settings

08 Managing for compliance (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

Optional

Compliance is a core function in financial services firms and is recognised by regulators as an essential part of the control infrastructure. Indeed the role of compliance and indeed the compliance manager/officer as a trusted adviser to the business has become a key differentiator for many firms. This module examines the development of compliance as an assurance function and evaluates its strategic role in an organisation in aligning with the business and delivering value. It also focuses on specific issues relevant to managing a compliance function to ensure it fulfils its assurance role within an organisation.

09 Risk-based financial management (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

This module introduces risk-management policy and develops a critical appreciation of hedging, speculation and arbitrage as a lens with which to understand different approaches to managing, and taking on, risk. It develops the fundamental principles of derivative instruments, their pricing and how they can be applied to execute a hedging strategy, and develops an understanding of the flexible nature of derivative instruments for constructing trading strategies. Contemporary issues and trends in the professional and academic literature are also dealt with to bridge theory and practice.

Winning business negotiation strategies (NFQ level 9, 10 ECTS)

This module equips you with both the practical skills and the theoretical understanding required to be a better negotiator. Negotiation practice, in the form of role-play, is central to this module. You will learn how to improve your negotiation skills to achieve better outcomes for you and your professional practice.