FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/wharton-fintech-overview-payments-regulations

Introduction

### Course Review: FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations #### Overview The course **"FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations"** offered by Coursera in partnership with professors Natasha Sarin and Chris Geczy from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania provides an essential introduction to the world of financial technology. As the landscape of finance rapidly changes due to technological advancements, this course aims to equip students with an understanding of the fundamental components that drive modern-day investment strategies utilizing fintech. With its comprehensive modules addressing payments, regulations, and evolving financial behavior, this course is a must-take for anyone interested in the intersection of finance and technology. #### Course Content Breakdown The course is divided into four core modules, each expertly designed to build upon the last. **Module 1: Overview of FinTech & Market Size** This introductory module lays a solid foundation by exploring the goals of fintech and the implications of robo-advising on the investment landscape. Using Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services as a case study, students will develop skills to assess the market size and the profitability of various fintech innovations. By the end of this module, learners will have a more profound understanding of the evolving fintech ecosystem and its trajectory. **Module 2: Key Considerations in FinTech** In this module, the focus shifts to the changing attitudes toward financial advice, especially among millennials. The analysis of financial behaviors highlights how technology is reshaping personal finance practices. Discussions regarding risk aversion and impact investing provide insights into the motivations driving today’s investors. This module reinforces the importance of trust in financial decision-making, essential for navigating the complexities of modern investments. **Module 3: Payments** Students will delve into the historical context and regulations surrounding payment methods in this module. The exploration of global payment trends and case studies, such as UnionPay, illustrates the evolving credit card landscape and the regulatory challenges within it. By the module's conclusion, learners will have a firm grasp of the importance of payment systems and the role of fintech in addressing longstanding issues while fostering innovation. **Module 4: Regulation** The final module provides a critical overview of the regulatory landscape impacting fintech. Students will analyze the balance between regulation and innovation, particularly in light of the lessons learned from the 2008 Financial Crisis. The insights gained from this module will empower learners to navigate and harness the benefits of fintech within the parameters of regulation, an essential skill for professionals in the field. #### Course Format and Experience The course is conducted in an engaging online format, allowing for flexibility in learning. It includes a mix of video lectures, readings, and quizzes that assess comprehension and provide opportunities for deeper engagement with the content. The professors bring real-world experience and academic rigor, enhancing the learning experience. #### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for: - **Finance Professionals** looking to understand how fintech will reshape their industry. - **Investors** wanting to explore new investment strategies, particularly through the lens of robo-advising and fintech applications. - **Students** pursuing careers in finance or related fields, as it provides a solid base of knowledge about emerging technologies and regulatory environments. - **Technology Enthusiasts** interested in the financial sector will gain insights into how technological innovations are revolutionizing financial services. ### Conclusion "FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations" is an outstanding course for anyone keen to venture into the realm of financial technology. With its thorough content, expert instruction from renowned professors, and a focus on practical applications, this course will arm you with the knowledge needed to thrive in the future of finance. As the industry continues to evolve, understanding fintech isn't just advantageous—it's essential. If you are considering a deeper exploration of this dynamic field, enrolling in this course could be your first step toward unlocking endless possibilities in finance and technology.

Syllabus

Module 1: Overview of FinTech & Market Size

This module was designed to give you foundational overview of FinTech and robo-advising. You’ll identify the main goals of fintech and forecast the future of robo-advising by discussing Vanguard’s Personal Advisor Services. Through defining the market size, you’ll learn key areas in which fintech and financial apps have gained traction. And finally, you will analyze the reported valuations of selected robo-advisors and observe the growth of fintech in both insurtech and global markets. By the end of this module, you’ll be better able to assess the value of FinTech and robo-advising, and gain a better understanding of the future of fintech in various financial markets.

In this module, you’ll examine new attitudes towards financial advice and trust in the financial industry. Through close examination of the financial behaviors of millennials, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the effects of technology in changing personal financial practices. You’ll also explore the emergence of risk aversion and impact investing due to changing ideas about the purpose of businesses. Then you’ll discuss the key components and characteristics of both a successful financial advisor and financial algorithms. By the end of this module, you will better understand the future of investing, and be able to utilize trust to overcome volatile markets and navigate complex decisions.

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the foundations of payment methods, and focus more closely on the history and regulation of payments. You’ll begin by examining the history and current global trends in payment methods by analyzing UnionPay. Then you’ll look at the evolution of credit cards, the two-sided payment markets, and the inherent issues of the credit card payment system. You’ll learn key aspects behind complex payment processes, the regulation behind payment methods, and promising solutions from fintech for concerns in the credit card market. By the end of this module, you’ll have a richer understanding of the growth of payment systems and their regulations, and of the impact of fintech in the future of payment systems.

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the concerns and innovations in financial regulation and focus more closely on the emergence of fintech. By discussing theoretical criticisms of regulation, you’ll gain a better understanding behind balance between regulation and innovation and the tradeoffs that come with the balance. Through analyzing the Great Recession of 2008 and its impact on regulations in the financial industry, you’ll study the emergence of fintech as an entrepreneurial solution for financial businesses. Through identification of fintech and outlining its massive growth, you will evaluate the main benefits and issues within this the emerging field. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to identify how regulations manage innovative approaches, and employ best practices of utilizing fintech in your organization while understanding the global landscape of fintech regulation