FinTech Foundations and Overview

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fintech

Introduction

### Course Review: FinTech Foundations and Overview on Coursera The digital revolution has transformed numerous sectors, and one of the most groundbreaking advancements has emerged in financial technology—commonly known as FinTech. To effectively navigate this dynamic landscape, the course "FinTech Foundations and Overview," offered by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Coursera, serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of FinTech. #### Course Overview This course stands out as the **first MOOC on FinTech in the Asia-Pacific region**, bringing together insights from leading professors and industry professionals connected to one of Asia’s top business schools. The primary goal of the course is to equip learners with the ability to confidently analyze and make recommendations on FinTech practices and trends to executives in the finance industry. #### Syllabus Breakdown **Module 1: Introduction to FinTech** The first week provides a multi-faceted perspective on FinTech, catering to the diverse participants in the financial ecosystem—large firms, entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers. This foundational module is specifically designed to help students rethink their preconceived notions about FinTech, allowing them to identify unique opportunities within a creative and rapidly evolving landscape. **Module 2: FinTech Business Applications** In this module, students will explore practical applications of FinTech across six categories including personal finance, crowdfunding, payment systems, investment trading, cryptocurrencies, and banking infrastructure. This in-depth exploration allows learners to see real-world implementations of theoretical concepts, which is crucial for anyone seeking to understand the operational facets of FinTech. **Module 3: The Tech of FinTech** Understanding the technology that powers FinTech is vital for anyone in the field. This module introduces technologies such as blockchain, AI, big data analytics, and privacy tech—all explained in an accessible manner tailored for business students and managers, eschewing overly technical jargon. This balanced approach ensures that students grasp the critical technological nuances without feeling overwhelmed by complexity. **Module 4: FinTech Implications for Established Business** Rounding out the course, this module dives into the implications of FinTech innovations for existing financial institutions. Through discussions of current trends and future projections, students are encouraged to think strategically about how established businesses should adapt to stay relevant. Here, learners undertake a culminating project that challenges them to develop actionable recommendations for a large bank in the Asia-Pacific region, utilizing everything they've learned. #### Why You Should Take This Course 1. **Reputable Institution**: Offered by HKUST, consistently ranked as a world leader for EMBA programs, the course brings credibility and high academic standards. 2. **Comprehensive Learning**: The course covers a wide array of crucial topics, from introductory knowledge to specific applications and the technological underpinnings of FinTech. 3. **Engaging and Practical**: The inclusion of industry perspectives and real-world scenarios ensures that the content is not only theoretical but also directly applicable to contemporary practices. 4. **Final Project**: The capstone project allows learners to synthesize their insights and strategically apply their knowledge, enhancing both learning outcomes and confidence in real-world settings. 5. **Networking Opportunities**: Engaging in discussions and projects may facilitate connections with peers and professionals interested in FinTech, expanding your network in a trending industry. #### Conclusion "FinTech Foundations and Overview" is an invaluable course for finance professionals, business students, and anyone interested in understanding the transformative power of FinTech. Whether you're looking to enhance your career or simply gain insights into this exciting field, this course offers a solid foundation to thrive in the evolving landscape of finance. #### Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend this course for its in-depth content, engaging teaching methodology, and practical application focus. Enroll today to empower yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the FinTech revolution with confidence!

Syllabus

Introduction to FinTech

In this module (week one), students will gain a multi-dimensional perspective on what FinTech means from the perspective of large firms (and older participants in the industry - e.g. dinosaurs), entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers. Examining what FinTech is, or is not, provides a foundations upon which students can build for better understanding of opportunities and changes.

The Business Applications of FinTech are essentially the Fin part of the FinTech world, and in this module, we will examine applications across six categories of FinTech, including lending and personal finance, crowd-finding and business financing, payments and retail transactions, equity, trading and investment applications, various types of cryptocurrencies, and banking infrastructure and tools.

The Technology enabling and supporting FinTech is important to understand, and this module provides a brief introduction to each of the areas of technology that enable FinTech business changes, including identity and privacy technologies, blockchain and encryption, big data analytics, AI and automation, and consumer tech innovations. This introduction is designed to be at a level appropriate for business managers or students of business, and is not intended to excite or engage tech geeks.

Building on our understanding of FinTech market applications and FinTech technologies, we move in this module to examine the implications of FinTech changes and challenges for existing financial services companies, and we look at current and future trends in FinTech world-wide. This module concludes, after the final quiz, with a final course project in which students will present their recommendations for senior managers of a large, established Asia-Pacific bank to take advantage of and respond to FinTech challenges and opportunities.