Finance (FIN)

Courses

FIN 325 Financial Management Credits: 3

This course provides an overview of the relationship between business decisions and the value of the firm, as determined by the marketplace. Students will study the composition of capital structure, capital budgeting, and cost of capital theory, including incremental analysis of investment situations.

Prerequisites: ACCTNG 210 and completion of 45 hours.

FIN 326 Financial Management 2 Credits: 3

Explores leverage and capital structure, dividend policy, raising capital, short-term financial planning, working capital management and international financial management. FIN 326 builds on the content of FIN 325. A cursory knowledge of accounting principles is assumed, as well as fluency with simple algebra and arithmetic skills.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 340 Financial Markets and Institutions Credits: 3

This course introduces students to U.S. financial markets and institutions, explaining how they operate, how they promote economic growth and well-being, and how they malfunction in financial crises. Among the financial markets examined are those for short-term debt, mortgages, government and corporate bonds and equity. Financial institutions studied include investment banks, commercial banks and savings institutions, pension plans, mutual funds, hedge funds, and private equity funds. The course also examines the role of the Federal Reserve in the financial system and the nature and purpose of financial regulation.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 345 Investments Credits: 3

The course develops the theoretical framework necessary for a systematic approach to portfolio management. Content includes consideration of investment objectives, measurement of risk and returns, alternative uses of invested funds, analysis of securities markets, and the techniques of security analysis. Students will have an opportunity for the creation and management of an investment portfolio.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 350 Introduction to Risk Management and Insurance Credits: 3

This course introduces students to the principles of personal and corporate risk management. Personal risk management topics include: personal insurance planning, annuity investing and personal liability management. Corporate risk management topics include: managing corporate risk, reducing risk through hedging, and legal liability risk.

FIN 369 Payment Systems Credits: 3

The payment system is central to virtually all economic transactions. The payment system also has been undergoing fundamental changes over the past two decades. Yet, the payment system is one of the least understood parts of the economic system. The purpose of this course is to examine the payment system from economic, business, and regulatory standpoints.

FIN 419 Financial Statement Analysis Credits: 3

Students will take an in-depth look at the external financial statements that are prepared by corporations, including the tools needed to organize, summarize, and understand corporate financial data for use in decision making. Ratio analysis, trend analysis, earnings forecasting, bankruptcy predictors, statistical methods important to finance, and financial data bases are among the topics that will be covered.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 425 Financial Services Marketing and Relationship Management Credits: 3

Marketing financial services products to clients involves product knowledge as well as the ability to assess appropriateness. Issues involving selling financial products to clients as well as maintaining client relationships will be discussed throughout the class. The importance of the fiduciary responsibility owed to clients in the sales of financial products will be examined throughout the course.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 426 Credit Analysis Credits: 3

The credit worthiness of bank loans will be assessed based on the analysis of a borrower’s financial statements. Consideration is given to the analysis of cash flows, loan structuring, credit scoring and tax considerations. Tools for predicting potential problem loans will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 428 Commercial Bank Management Credits: 3

This course presents an overview of financial management of the interest spreads, credit risk, liquidity, and capital positions of commercial banks. Topics to be covered include analysis of bank profitability, lending functions and policy, securities investment strategies, fund attraction, regulatory examination, capital adequacy, and integrated asset/liability management. Instructional media includes cases and computerized bank management simulation.

Prerequisites: FIN 325.

FIN 435 Advanced Corporate Finance Credits: 3

The course focuses on the finance function of the firm from the managerial perspective. Topics include working capital management, capital budgeting, financial structure, merger and reorganization, capital rationing, and analysis of risk. Students will use cases and computer techniques.

Prerequisites: FIN 326.

FIN 445 Advanced Investments Credits: 3

Students take an in depth look at some of the advanced investment analysis tools used by practicing portfolio managers. This course covers the valuation of both derivative securities and fixed-income securities. There is also a strong focus on managing price risk, interest rate risk, and exchange rate risk. In addition there is an emphasis on bond portfolio management and derivative security applications.

Prerequisites: FIN 345.

FIN 487 Special Topics Credits: 3

Special topics in finance.

FIN 496 Internship: Finance Credits: 1-3

An opportunity for students to integrate their academic studies via employment with a business/organization in the community. Internship coursework is evaluated on a credit/no credit basis.

Prerequisites: Departmental consent.

FIN 497 Special Topics: Finance Credits: 1-3

Study and research in areas of special interest under individual faculty direction.

Prerequisites: Departmental consent.