Unit Overview
- Description
Banks sit at the centre of the global financial system. They create credit, allocate capital, manage risk and transmit monetary policy across borders. When banks function well, economies grow. When they fail, the consequences are global.
This unit provides insight into how modern banking systems operate in an interconnected world. Students examine the structure of bank balance sheets, capital and liquidity regulation, systemic risk, and crisis dynamics. The unit integrates theory with real-world institutional practice, including international regulatory standards developed through the Bank for International Settlements and prudential frameworks implemented by central banks and supervisory authorities such as the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Students will develop the analytical skills required to assess bank performance, evaluate capital adequacy, understand liquidity risk, and interpret macroprudential policy. The unit also explores contemporary challenges including digital banking, fintech disruption, climate risk, and the future of global financial intermediation.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) evaluate competing theoretical models of banking; (2) apply quantitative tools to analyse bank risk and performance; (3) analyse regulatory disclosures and capital adequacy metrics; (4) assess systemic risk and macroprudential tools; and (5) formulate policy or strategy recommendations.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class quizzes; (2) assignment; and (3) examinations. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Lee Smales
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- up to 3 hours per week for 12 weeks, which may include seminars/workshops
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.