COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: DIGITAL BANKING AND INNOVATION

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
FINT 406	B	2	3	0	0	3	7.5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Chrysanthi Balomenou cbalomenou@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Chrysanthi Balomenou cbalomenou@epoka.edu.al , Thursday 16:00 - 17:00
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Master of Science in FinTech
Classroom and Meeting Time:	E/212 13:45-16:30
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	A minimum rate of 75% is required for the student to enter the final examination.
Course Description:	The course provides an understanding of the basic concepts of Digital Banking and Innovation by showing how Digital Banking innovation may be harnessed to the benefit of banks and customers. This course also aims to provide you with the essential tools and practical skills to pursue a career in leading transformation projects and change agendas for the digital economy.
Course Objectives:	To inculcate the knowledge of accounting principles and practice 2. To import the Knowledge in the field of banking activities 3. To equip the students well prepared to face the competitive world.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	Students will be able to acquire practical knowledge to apply internet of things in Banking Applications
2	Students will be able to define the concept and importance of digitalisation and its role in changing business models, technologies, and the value proposition of organizations.
3	Students will be able to establish an effective system to manage the transformation to digitalisation.
4	Students will be able to understand the regulatory landscape for digital banking services to build a customer-centric product.
5	Students will be able to analyze the financial products and services from a broader perspective and what the future holds
6	Students will be able to develop their ability to cope with digital market needs

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction. Regulatory Compliance. Competition from Other Banks. Regulation from the CFPB. Becoming More Efficient. Weak Economic Growth in Our Market(s). Competition from Non-bank Entities. Weak Loan Demand. Ability to Invest in New Technology. Lack of Staff in Key Growth Areas (pg 1-8).
2	Overview of Banking. Brief History of Banking. Banking in the Modern Era. Select Major International Events in Banking History (pg 10-15)
3	An Imperfect System: Financial Crises. The Financial Crisis of 2007–2009. Financial Innovation and Complexity. Regulatory Overhaul. A New Potential Role for Banks (pg 19-25)
4	Rapid Transformation. The Customer Shift. Fintech Overview Fintech Outlook. The Financial Disruptors, PayPal, Square, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Skrill, TransferWise, Alibaba, Cryptocurrencies, Other Applications of the Blockchain (pg 27- 44)
5	The Digital Financial Revolution. Loss of Customer Trust. Better Service Experience. The Arrival of Millennials. Mass Adoption of Smartphones. Regulation for Financial Consumers. More Efficient Financial Services. Rules of Supply and Demand. An Industry Transformed (pg 47-54)
6	A New Era of Banking. Banking on the Go. Contactless Cards. Check Imaging Technology. Could Social Media Shape the Industry? The World of Wearable Banking. Notable Financial Innovators. Paym. Midata. Are Bank Branches Disappearing? Unlocking Data for Customers. Incremental Change to Total Reinvention (pg 57-70)
7	International Financial Innovations. Australia. Turkey.XII Contents Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden. Asia, United Arab Emirates, The Digital Banking Zone. The Future Banking Zone. The Relationship Banking Zone. Africa , Ireland, Poland, United States (pg71-85)
8	Midterm
9	A Digital Blueprint for Banks. Digital Banking Value? Maximize Use of Existing Technology. Apply Minor Technology Interventions. Identify Areas for Sweeping Transformation. Cross-Selling in the Digital Era (pg 87-92)
10	Human Resources in the Digital Era. Optimizing Structure and Incentives. Emphasizing Business Outcomes. Devising a New Strategic Vision for Staff (pg 93- 94)
11	The Future of Banking (pg 95)
12	Project presentation
13	Project presentation
14	Project presentation

Prerequisite(s):	N\A
Textbook(s):	Luigi Wewege and Michael C. Thomsett (2020), The Digital Banking Revolution, Walter de Gruyter Inc., Boston/Berlin
Additional Literature:	Research Papers
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Students will be able to acquire practical knowledge to apply internet of things in Banking Applications
2	Students will be able to define the concept and importance of digitalisation and its role in changing business models, technologies, and the value proposition of organizations.
3	Students will be able to establish an effective system to manage the transformation to digitalisation.
4	Students will be able to understand the regulatory landscape for digital banking services to build a customer-centric product.
5	Students will be able to analyze the financial products and services from a broader perspective and what the future holds
6	Students will be able to develop their ability to cope with digital market needs

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Master of Science in FinTech Program
1	Graduates will master the fundamentals of fintech, including technological innovations, digital financial services, and disruptive business models, and apply this knowledge to create fintech solutions.	4
2	Graduates will be proficient in blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency, understanding their applications in finance, such as digital currencies, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi) systems.	5
3	Graduates will gain expertise in digital banking and innovation, including the ability to design and manage digital banking solutions, improving customer experience and operational efficiency.	5
4	Graduates will demonstrate a deep understanding of corporate finance principles, enabling them to analyze complex financial scenarios and make informed strategic decisions.	3
5	Graduates will have the skills to thoroughly analyze financial statements and assess the financial health and performance of organizations, aiding in investment and decision-making processes.	3
6	Graduates will acquire advanced skills in big data analytics, enabling them to extract valuable insights from large datasets to drive data-driven financial strategies and decisions.	4
7	Graduates will apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze financial data, automate decision-making processes, and enhance risk management in the financial sector.	4
8	Graduates will gain knowledge in cybersecurity resilience, enabling them to understand cyber threats in financial systems and data and effectively cooperate in mitigating fraud risks in fintech operations.	4
9	Graduates will develop a strong ethical foundation and be equipped to navigate corporate social responsibility and sustainability challenges in the fintech industry, promoting responsible and sustainable financial practices.	5
10	Graduates will be capable of applying interdisciplinary knowledge to address complex challenges at the intersection of finance and technology, fostering innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving fintech landscape.	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Project	1	50
Term Paper	1	40
Attendance		5
Other	1	5
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	3	48
Mid-terms	1	14	14
Assignments	1	70	70
Final examination			0
Other	1	7.5	7.5
Total Work Load:			187.5
Total Work Load/25(h):			7.5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			7.5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

All the expected course learning outcomes were met successfully. The course contributed to the enrichment of students' knowledge.