The BBA Degree in Banking and Financial Services is directed to those aspiring to managerial careers in the banking and financial services industry. It enables graduates to become competent professionals in the financial sector. The programme is designed to keep pace with the transformations taking place in the global financial services sector. The graduate will hold a degree held in high esteem in the industry both within Jamaica and internationally. It also provides a sound foundation for graduates to pursue further education and professional qualifications

The sequencing of finance courses offered between the third and fourth years (full-time) are as follows:

Course Descriptions

Upper Level

BFS 3221 – Insurance (3 credits, 45 Hours)

Insurance course provides students with an introductory, consumer-oriented overview of insurance. The course examines the basic concepts of risk and insurance, underwriting and the legal framework. Three broad classes of insurance are covered in this course: life and health, property and liability and auto.

MKT 4310 - Strategic Marketing Management for Financial Managers (3 credits, 45 Hours)

The programme provides students with a comprehensive insight into the basic discipline, which underlie the marketing philosophy and an in-depth understanding of the functional and strategic aspects of marketing which are relevant for the financial services industry. This course is designed to teach marketing as a creative and integrative approach to the operation of any organization. It is based upon the recognition that corporate objectives are best achieved through concentration on the identification and satisfaction of customer needs. This philosophy is equally relevant to manufacturing or service industries, consumer or business markets, private or public sector organizations domestic or international activities. Special attention will also be paid to the recent change in emphasis in the marketing of financial services.

FIN 3221 - Finance of International Trade (3 credits, 45 Hours)

Finance of International Trade provides the student with an insight as to how international trade is undertaken, settled and financed. The course is designed for students aspiring to progress on the corporate side of finance as well as those who deal with commercial lending proposals. The emphasis is on foreign exchange and support services provided for importers and exporters by financial institutions.

BFS 3220 - Risk Management (3 credits, 45 Hours)

Risk Management is designed to give students a practical insight into the various forms of risks associated with business. The main emphasis of the course is on identifying and evaluating the different business risks. The course also prepares students to plan, organize and control activities undertaken with the intent of minimizing the adverse impact of risk on the resources and earnings of the organization.

BFS 4114 - Law and Practice of Financial Services (3 credits, 45 Hours)

This course is designed to provide an understanding of fundamental legal principles relating to banking and financial services with emphasis on bank and customer rights, duties, liabilities and the law relating to negotiate instruments.

FIN 3221 - Financial Reporting & Analysis (3 credits, 45 Hours)

This course integrates some of the concepts learnt in Fundamentals of Finance and Financial Accounting, while at the same time introducing more advanced accounting concepts with an overall focus on the analysis and interpretation of financial statements. The course is divided into three (3) modules: the first covers financial reporting in Jamaica, the second covers special topical areas, while the third covers financial analysis.

FIN 4312 - Securities Analysis (3 credits, 45 Hours)

The student will be introduced in a vigorous environment to the academic and empirical concepts of investment analysis. The tools of investment analysis will be developed and applied, and is aimed at providing a solid working knowledge of investment analysis, technical analysis, equity valuation, derivatives and option valuation models, the relationship between the macro-economy and the stock market, and finally, portfolio construction and measurement.

BFS 3210 – Lending (3 credits, 45 Hours)

Lending is a practical course with a concentration on assessing lending propositions for personal and business customers, security and the requirements of different businesses. The course also focuses on the interpretation and criticism of accounting statements.

FIN 4313 - Portfolio Theory and Management (3 credits, 45 Hours)

With an in-depth study of Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing Models, students will acquire the analytical skills necessary to calculate the valuations of equities, fixed income securities, and alternative investments. This exploration leads to an understanding of the concepts of portfolio management and the importance of diversification in controlling portfolio risk.