The financial services industry touches everyone, but most people interact with it without truly understanding how it works. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the key elements and basic workings of the financial services industry. You will learn the history of banking, the distinctions between retail and investment banking, the role of central banks, saving and borrowing, evaluating different sources of borrowing (mortgages, overdrafts, credit cards, payday loans), calculating effective annual interest rates, ethics and integrity, insurance, IPOs, sources of return for shareholders, bonds, credit rating agencies (S&P, Fitch, Moody's), derivatives (call/put options, futures), stock exchanges, fund management, forex, pensions, fintechs, crowdfunding, and distributed ledger technology.

This Course Offers

• A complete overview of the financial services industry for beginners.
• Practical calculations including effective annual IRs and dividend yields.
• Coverage of traditional finance (banks, bonds, equities) and modern finance (fintechs, crowdfunding, DLT).
• Useful preparation for CISI Level 2 "Fundamentals of Financial Services" exam and other finance qualifications.
• 10 hours of video across 268 lectures, designed as a reference resource.

Why We Love This Course

1. It is massive and comprehensive. Over 52,000 students have enrolled.
2. The instructor covers both household finance (mortgages, credit cards) and corporate finance (IPOs, bonds, derivatives).
3. It is specifically designed for exam candidates, new employees, and anyone curious about finance.
4. Reviews highlight that the course is very insightful and informative.

The course last updated in November 2025. If you are a CISI Level 2 candidate, finance or accounting student, new employee in financial services, banking entry level, intern, apprentice, or anyone interested in economics and the economy, this course gives you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of financial services.

• CISI Level 2 "Fundamentals of Financial Services" candidates.
• Finance students and accounting students.
• Tax students and ACCA candidates.
• Financial services entry level and banking entry level professionals.
• Financial services interns or apprentices.
• Anyone interested in financial services.
• Anyone interested in economics and the economy.
• New employees at various financial institutions.
• Anyone who wants to understand how the financial world works from a beginner level.

• Anyone and everyone.
• Basic English language proficiency.
• No prior finance knowledge is required.

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