Topic outline

  • COURSE INTRODUCTION

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    • Time: 22 hours
    • Free Certificate
    In this course, we explore the basics of financial literacy, emphasizing personal money management, financial planning, and investment strategies. Applications in personal finance include creating financial goals, budgeting and saving, consumer credit, loans and debt, personal bankruptcy, insurance, investment and retirement, mutual funds, the stock market, taxes, fraud, and sustainability.

    We will explore the foundational aspects of financial literacy and provide a rich, practical understanding that prepares learners to navigate financial decisions, economic uncertainties, and personal disruptions in a globalized world.

    The 2012 Standard and Poor's Global FinLit Survey discovered knowledge gaps among demographic groups. Men, young people, wealthy individuals, and bank account holders are more financially literate than their social counterparts – women, the poor and elderly, and those lacking bank accounts (the "unbanked").

    We discuss the connection between financial illiteracy and poverty. We can bridge this divide by sharing our research and investing in sustainable solutions. Students should use what they learn in the course with indigenous knowledge systems to affect meaningful change in their communities through education, capacity building, skills transfer, and advocacy.

  • Unit 1: Establishing Financial Goals

    Effective financial planning will help you achieve your goals and provide peace of mind as you enhance your financial security. It will help you allocate your resources, as you increase your savings and investments and manage your debt. On a practical level, organizing your finances will make it easier to caculate your taxable income and profits. Financial goals provide clear targets, motivating individuals to stay disciplined and committed to their financial plans. Financial goals encourage the development of budgets that prioritize spending and saving, leading to more effective financial management. Moreover, financial goals enhance decision-making, improve savings habits, increase wealth accumulation, and reduce financial stress.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.

    • 1.1: Setting Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Financial Goals

      The first step in your financial literacy journey is to determine your short-, medium-, and long-term financial goals. We accomplish short-term goals fairly quickly, such as today, this week, this month, or any period of up to one year. Examples include buying a new phone, saving for a trip, or paying off a small debt. Medium-term goals are usually one to five years and help you build your life vision. Examples include buying a car, saving for college, or starting a business. Your long-term goals financial are things you want to accomplish in the future. They require time and planning and are several years away. Examples include saving for a down payment on a house, funding your retirement, or paying off large debts, such as credit cards, student loans, and mortgages.

    • 1.2: Creating SMART Financial Goals

      SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely – a mnemonic device used to help guide goal setting. A SMART goal helps you focus your effort and increases your chances of achieving it. Having defined goals encourages accountability, as progress can be tracked and assessed, making it easier to hold individuals responsible. Time-bound goals help prioritize tasks and manage time effectively, leading to increased productivity. Working toward specific goals can help you develop new skills and competencies as you strive to meet your objectives. Measurable goals also promote data collection and analysis, encouraging informed decision-making and adjusting as needed.

    • 1.3: Lifestyle Choices and Money Personalities

      What is your money personality? 1. Savers tend to be more conservative, 2. Investors may be more or less comfortable with risk, 3. Spenders tend to live in the moment and fail to think about their financial goals, 4. Balanced individuals fall into several categories, and 5. Avoiders do not like to talk about money at all. You probably fall into several categories during different times in your life.

  • Unit 2: Budgeting and Saving

    Creating a budget is a critical part of managing your money. It will help you plan how to spend or save money. A budget is a spending and saving plan based on expected income and expenses. It lists expenses and the income source to pay those expenses. Your budget should help you meet your financial goals, such as paying for current expenses and saving for the future. It will help you compare your financial resources with your needs. In this unit, we discuss basic techniques for managing monthly expenses and setting aside savings, including setting financial goals and prioritizing expenditures.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • 2.1: Building a Budget

      The 50-30-20 rule is a common guideline that recommends allocating 50 percent of income to necessities (housing, utilities, groceries, auto, loan payments, healthcare), 30 percent to discretionary spending or wants (dining out, travel, shopping, movies, concerts, streaming services), and 20 percent to short - and long-term savings (personal goals, emergency fund, retirement, investments).

    • 2.2: Preparing a Budget Analysis

      Budget analysis involves comparing your budget with the cash flow of your bank account or business to determine whether you are on track. A budget variance occurs when the actual results differ from your budgeted projections. While good record-keeping will help you prepare a better budget, accurate information will help you analyze your budget correctly. There are several methods for tracking what you earn, spend, save, and invest.

    • 2.3: Saving Money

      Many people make it a habit to spend their entire monthly paycheck and fail to save for their long-term goals, unexpected expenses, or retirement. It is especially difficult to save when your income is low, and your costs are high. Most of us are inundated with attractive purchasing options in today's global consumer-based society. However, setting aside a small amount every pay period can help you achieve your goals, afford more expensive items (such as a downpayment for a car or home), and prepare for unforeseen contingencies (both good and bad). Many employers help by putting a portion of your paycheck into a separate savings account so you are less tempted to spend everything you earn!

    • 2.4: Banking and Emergency Funds

      An emergency fund is money you set aside to pay for unplanned expenses, such as medical bills, car repairs, or home repairs. An emergency fund can help you weather a loss of income from job loss or extended illness. Many recommend creating an emergency fund that allows you to continue paying your expenses for at least six months.

    • 2.5: Savings and Inflation

      Inflation is the increase in the price of goods and services over time. Deflation is when general price levels fall. This can affect the value of your property and your buying power when you want to spend your savings. We discuss inflation and deflation again in Unit 4 since they also impact loans and borrowing.

  • Unit 3: Credit Cards and Consumer Borrowing

    In this unit, we discuss different types of credit, how to use credit responsibly, and the impact of credit scores on financial health. Credit card companies use our credit score to determine our creditworthiness and the interest rates they charge us for borrowing money from them – which we pay back to them at the end of the month.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • 3.1: Your Credit Score

      Credit has its benefits, disadvantages, and costs. If you use credit cards wisely, you can keep your costs to a minimum. For example, you can avoid paying the interest credit card companies charge on outstanding balances if you pay the total amount you owe monthly. You may have to pay a yearly fee to use the card, but this strategy allows you to enjoy the benefits of using credit for a minimal fee.

    • 3.2: Credit Cards

      Credit cards are a form of loan from a financial institution. They make it easy to buy goods and services, in person or online, within a certain credit limit. Some businesses have even eliminated customers' ability to pay with cash. These policies make it difficult for those who do not have credit cards to buy goods and participate in our economy, such as those with limited income.

      Credit card companies agree to pay sellers or vendors for the goods and services you purchase, while you (the buyer) agree to reimburse them the money you "borrowed" by a certain date. Most credit card companies charge vendors a transaction fee, while they charge you interest on the money or balance you fail to pay at the end of the month. Credit card companies impose varying terms and conditions for using their services. Most offer better rates to loyal customers and those with high credit scores. They also impose penalties and fees for failing to meet their requirements. For example, credit card companies earn big money from the interest they charge customers for running credit card balances, penalties for late payments, and surpassing their agreed-upon credit limit. Most charge fees for cash advances, balance transfers, and foreign transactions.

    • 3.3: Debit Cards

      Some call debit cards are automated teller machine (ATM) cards, bank cards, plastic cards, and check cards. We use debit cards to make purchases instead of cash. Unlike a credit card, the debit card company immediately transfers the money for your purchases from your bank account, like withdrawing cash instantly from an ATM. Usually, you can only access the money available in your account, although some debit cards allow you to withdraw more for an additional fee. Most cards have daily limits on how much cash you can withdraw from an ATM, pay online, or spend via a point-of-sale (POS) device. The sale will not go through if the account is empty. These controls benefit those who want to limit their debt.

    • 3.4: Other Payment Methods

      Today, there are many alternatives to traditional ways to make payments and transfer funds without cash, debit, or credit cards. These include Venmo, Zelle, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and even loyalty program points, which we can use to buy things.

    • 3.5: Risks and Benefits of Credit Products

      Credit is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your financial goals, but it comes with certain risks and responsibilities. Here, we explore the benefits and risks of different types of credit products, such as credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and student loans.

  • Unit 4: Loans and Debt

    Many of us will need to borrow from a bank, credit union, or other type of lender. In a financial sense, this involves assuming a debt to a lender. This debt usually involves paying or repaying the principal amount back plus interest. We borrow money to purchase a new home, pay college tuition, start a new business, make home repairs, and make other types of investments. Financing options range from traditional financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, and financing companies, to peer-to-peer lending (P2P) or a 401(k) retirement plan loan. In this unit, we examine loans and debt beyond credit cards – to explore what is involved when we borrow money from banks, credit unions, and other types of financial institutions in more depth. What should we consider when we examine the terms and conditions attached to various loans? We also study the world of microfinance, predatory lending, and biases that have led to unfair lending practices throughout history. We conclude by looking at the effects of personal bankruptcy.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • 4.1: Borrowing Money

      Various credit sources are available to lend you the money you need. However, you should always research the options available that work best for you. Interest rates are the silent navigators of your loan repayment journey. When interest rates rise, your monthly payments climb, and the overall cost of borrowing increases. Understanding the impact of interest rates empowers you to make informed decisions and navigate the financial roads more effectively.

    • 4.2: Terms of Borrowing

      Loan terms refer to the financial conditions we accept when we borrow money. These include the loan's interest rate, repayment period, penalty fees, and other fees. The annual percentage rate (APR), which we discussed in Unit 3, measures the interest rate plus the additional fees charged with the loan. Both are expressed as a percentage. A loan's interest rate and APR are two important measures of the price you pay for borrowing money.

    • 4.3: Types of Loans: Installment vs. Revolving Credit

      There are two main categories of loans: installment loans and revolving credit. Installment loans include mortgages, student, and car loans. You agree to repay the money you borrowed in installments – a fixed monthly payment until you have paid off the principal and the interest. Your credit score will increase if you show you can consistently repay the money you borrowed over time. Credit cards are the most common type of revolving debt. These monthly payments show you can borrow varying amounts of money and manage your cash flow to pay it back every month. It is "revolving" because you constantly use your credit to buy things and pay what you owe back.

    • 4.4: Interest Rates and Loan Repayment

      As we discussed in Unit 2, when prices go up during inflationary periods, the purchasing power of your savings declines – it costs more to buy the same exact thing, such as a carton of milk or a certain computer. In other words, your savings and investments may be worth less when you need to use them.

      Without getting into the complexities of economic monetary policy, government agencies, such as the Governing Council of European Central Banks, the Bank of Japan, or the U.S. Federal Reserve, often raise interest rates to reduce inflation. However, these higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive for individuals and businesses – you have to pay the extra interest in addition to your loan. Consequently, people and businesses borrow less. Less money means companies hire fewer employees, lay people off to reduce their costs, experience lower productivity because they can't afford to buy new equipment, and face reduced earnings. Eventually, stock prices will fall. On the other hand, sellers benefit from higher interest rates. Your house is worth more if you want to sell, employers may give employees raises to keep up with the rising cost of living, and those with savings will collect more interest at the bank. Unless inflation spirals out of control, the economy will eventually adjust to reduce the amount of money in the economy and bring it back to equilibrium.

    • 4.5: Predatory Lending, Bias, and Redlining

      Payday loans are short-term, high-interest loans, usually a small amount to "tide you over" that is due on your next payday. Lenders require borrowers to provide their bank account information or write a check for the full amount upfront, which they cash when the loan is due. These loans are advertised as a quick fix to help pay for unexpected emergencies. However, many borrowers get trapped and are forced to pay exorbitant fees and additional interest when they fall behind on repaying their loans. Remember the compound interest you earned at the bank? In this case, you are the one paying the additional interest on the interest you owe.

    • 4.6: Microfinance

      Microcredit is a form of microfinance in which banks offer extremely small loans to help borrowers become self-employed or grow a small business at a reasonable interest rate. Research has shown that low-income individuals – who may be too poor or lack a credit history to qualify for a traditional bank loan – tend to be reliable borrowers and pay off their small loans at a higher rate. In other words, they are less risky, but they cannot get loans at low interest rates.

    • 4.7: Personal Bankruptcy

      Personal bankruptcy is a legal process that relieves individuals of their unsecured debt when they can no longer pay their creditors. Declaring bankruptcy is usually a last resort when individuals see no alternative but to risk losing their creditworthiness to obtain financial stability and a fresh legal start. This way, they can pay their creditors in an orderly fashion and move forward in their lives.

  • Unit 5: Insurance

    Insurance is a legal or contractual agreement between two parties (the insured and the insurer), also known as an insurance policy. When you buy an insurance policy, you purchase protection against unexpected financial losses. The insurer agrees to cover your losses in carefully defined circumstances. This could be a catastrophic event, such as a fire or flood that destroys your house or business, or any financial loss the insurer agrees to cover. In this contractual agreement, you agree to pay the insurance company a monthly premium, and the insurance company agrees to cover the expenses if the specified event occurs. The insurance company wins if the event never happens. It pockets your monthly premiums without having to make a payout. However, the insurance company carries a risk – if the specified event does occur, it may have to make the payout even if it has not yet received enough premiums to cover the expenses. In this unit, we detail various types of insurance most individuals purchase, such as life, health, and property insurance. Finally, we examine insurance's critical role in safeguarding one's financial well-being.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.

    • 5.1: Insurance Basics

      Should you purchase an insurance policy, pay the monthly premiums, or simply pay the expenses after an accident? What is the risk of disaster striking? Some people are comfortable shouldering this risk, while others worry they could lose everything. However, many do not have a choice. For example, climate change has altered the risk calculations insurance companies have relied on for years. It is nearly impossible for new homeowners to find affordable flood insurance in high-risk areas such as Florida, Texas, and California due to flooding caused by rising oceans and more damaging storms.

    • 5.2: Managing Risk

      Let's examine risk in more detail. Risk refers to the likelihood that you will experience injury, damage, or economic loss. A car accident can cause personal injury or car damage, and you may have to pay the other party's expenses if you are at fault. Some events or losses are less risky because they are avoidable or less likely to occur. For example, you might decline flood insurance for a house you buy in a desert. However, catastrophes or losses are unpredictable and unavoidable in other areas, such as if you live in a designated flood plain.

      Risk management involves identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing your comfortable level of risk with the coordinated, economical application of resources. The goal is to maximize opportunities and minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events. Risk management helps us make smarter decisions to protect our financial future.

    • 5.3: Property Insurance

      Individuals and businesses buy property insurance to protect their homes and possessions against damage, theft, fire, and weather events. Specialized insurance plans include fire, flood, earthquake, home, and boiler insurance.

    • 5.4: Health, Disability, and Life Insurance

      We buy health or medical insurance to pay for routine and unplanned medical expenses for ourselves and our families. The premium, amount of coverage, designated medical professional or hospital, and types of medical procedures covered depend on the terms outlined in the contract or policy agreement.

  • Unit 6: Investing and Retirement

    We are planning for the future when we open a savings account or buy certificates of deposit. These investments are safe places to store your money because the government regulators ensure you can access the amount you deposited when you make a withdrawal. Most banks pay you a small amount of interest for the privilege of using the money you deposited to lend to their other clients or make their own investments. However, there are many other ways to invest your money to make it grow. Some call it "using money to make more money." For example, you can buy real estate, government bonds, or corporate stock shares. You hope the house, rental property, land, bonds, or stocks you buy today will be worth more when you want to sell them tomorrow. Without getting into the economic details of the market, the value of your investments will fluctuate according to its supply and demand over time.

    As you plan for the future, keep in mind that the World Bank reported that life expectancy increased from 51 to 72 years from 1960 to 2022 due to advances in medical technology, public health, lifestyle, and economic growth. Working life expectancy is the number of years a person is expected to work during their lifetime. As life expectancy increases, you should plan to save more or work longer. Older workers are healthier than ever and can be huge contributors to economic growth. Their impact will only grow. In this unit, we build on our discussion of saving in Unit 2. We explore basic investment concepts, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and retirement strategies such as the life cycle savings model. At the end of the unit, we discuss things to keep in mind during estate planning.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • 6.1: Saving and Investing

      The money you save in a bank or money market account is an investment. However, the interest rate and money earned are usually lower than other types of investments. Safety is the primary advantage. Other investments tend to be more risky. You can win or lose. For example, stocks are a share in a corporation. The stock value grows If the company does well. However, you risk losing all the money you invested if the company fails. Investing in a solid, successful business will likely offer a lower return rate – they do not need to pay more (reducing their profits) to attract your business. However, a new company that could fail tomorrow must offer a higher rate of return to encourage you to take a chance with them. They may file for bankruptcy next month or be the next Microsoft if their leadership is savvy and profits are good. Their stock price will likely fall as they become more successful, and your investment is less risky.

    • 6.2: Risk and Return on Investment

      Investment risk is the chance that the investment will not perform as expected – its actual return may deviate from the expected return. Risk is measured by the amount of volatility – the difference between actual returns and average (expected) returns.

    • 6.3: Planning for Retirement

      Many people look forward to retiring from full-time work to enjoy more leisure, travel, and still live comfortably. Some want to retire as soon as possible, while others enjoy working or must continue earning a paycheck to pay for their financial obligations. Retirement planning should begin the day you choose a career or start working. How do you want to live during retirement? What monthly income is needed to support this lifestyle? You may require expensive long-term medical care. Saving just a small amount every day while you are young will grow exponentially according to the calculations of compound interest, where you earn interest on your interest.

    • 6.4: Life-Cycle Investing

      Life expectancy is the number of years individuals are expected to live based on the statistical average in their physical environment or country. Life-cycle investing is a financial planning approach that emphasizes the importance of tailoring investment strategies to your changing needs and goals throughout your lifetime. This concept is linked to age and life stage. For example, your appetite and capacity for risk tend to be higher when you are young and single. People tend to be less risky when they have children to support. It gets even smaller when you only have fewer years left to retire.

    • 6.5: Estate Planning

      Estate planning involves preparing your finances (or managing another's) after incapacitation or death. It includes settling your estate taxes, debts, and bequests or assets you wish to give to your family and heirs. It may include the guardianship of minor children or pets. Most people hire an attorney experienced in estate law to create their estate plans. Steps include listing your assets and debts, reviewing your accounts, and writing a will to designate your beneficiaries.

  • Unit 7: Taxes and Tax Forms

    Taxes are compulsory levies that individuals and businesses must pay to generate government revenue. This revenue helps pay for local, state, and federal government services and other societal expenses, including social security, Medicare, healthcare, national defense, veterans benefits, education, transportation, and community and regional development. Taxes are collected from many sources, including income taxes, sales and use taxes, and excise taxes. In most countries, individuals, businesses, organizations, and corporations must file annual tax forms to calculate and declare the income they earned or lost to the tax authorities. The government uses these declarations to assess their liability for taxation. Every country has a different system of forms and naming systems. In this unit, we explore the basic ingredients of most tax systems, efficient tax planning, and how to legally reduce tax liabilities.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • 7.1: Introduction to Taxes

      Governments use money collected from various taxes to provide goods and services for citizens. However, taxes reduce taxpayers' disposable income or the amount they have to save or spend on other things. Taxes benefit those who pay them religiously and those who do not, which many call the "free rider" problem. Many workers pay Social Security tax during their working years. When they retire, workers receive payments from the fund. This is an example of a direct benefit from paying taxes. We return to this issue in Unit 10 when we discuss the changing demographics many countries are experiencing.

    • 7.2: Tax Forms

      In the United States, you must file two important forms when you start a new job. The W4 form helps your employer determine how much income tax to withhold from your paycheck, and the I9 form ensures you can legally work in the United States. In Nigeria, form A is an income tax form for the return of income and claims for allowances and reliefs. In contrast, form H1 is used to file an annual tax return at the end of the year regarding all emoluments paid to employees during the preceding year.

  • Unit 8: Careers and Education

    Career planning involves matching your skills, interests, educational goals, and financial needs with existing jobs or careers. You are making good decisions for yourself on your schedule. Investing in ourselves means dedicating time, effort, and resources toward our personal growth, development, and well-being. It is about recognizing the value we bring and understanding that by investing in ourselves, we can positively impact our overall happiness and success. However, educational investment is all about how much time, money, and effort you and your family put into getting a higher education. People invest in education for different reasons, such as personal growth, getting a better job, moving up in the world, and helping their community. Some jobs pay a lot more than others and are in greater demand. We generally expect to earn more from jobs that require more skill, training, or education.

    Postsecondary education or training is required to get many high-level jobs. It is difficult for those who lack a higher education or job training credentials to compete in the job market. However, the costs of attending higher education institutions can be staggering. They are a primary reason young people go into debt. Fortunately, the governments of many countries pay for a portion, if not all, of these expenses. Many colleges and businesses also offer generous scholarships and grant programs. In this unit, we explore the relationship between career planning, education, and earnings.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.

    • 8.1: Education and Earnings

      Many compartmentalize financial planning and career development as separate spheres of life. However, they are deeply interconnected. Your career choices and progress impact your income, savings, and financial goals, and your financial situation can influence your career decisions.

    • 8.2: Costs of Higher Education and Training

      The direct costs of higher education include tuition and books. Indirect costs include housing and food (room and board), computers and software, transportation, entertainment, and travel to and from home. Be sure to consider the types of higher education institutions (private, public, and community colleges), apprenticeships, and the generous financial aid packages many colleges offer students, especially if you are from a lower-income household.

  • Unit 9: Scams and Fraud

    Unfortunately, many of us have been victims of fraud perpetrated by individuals or criminal conglomerates. These fraudsters have used our credit cards, accessed our bank accounts, or tricked us into making purchases or payments. We must be vigilant in protecting our personal information and money, especially when online networks easily facilitate fraudulent transactions from distant global locations. While we have become more knowledgeable and suspicious of predators, it is easy to succumb to fraudulent requests for information from seemingly trusted sources such as fake banking and credit card institutions, delivery services, government agencies, healthcare institutions, subscriptions and promotions, and even friends or family members in distress.

    Consumer protection agencies aim to safeguard buyers of goods and services from unfair marketplace practices, such as product liability, privacy violations, unfair business practices, fraud, misrepresentation, and other consumer/business interactions. These agencies notify law enforcement agencies, alert the public about scams, and work to fix the problems they find. In this unit, we offer advice on how to identify and protect yourself from being a victim of scams and fraud.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • 9.1: Common Scams

      Online banking, communications networks, and financial records have certainly made it easier for fraudsters to access your personal records and use them for fraudulent purposes across the globe. Many scams and fraudsters target elderly individuals, teens, and pre-teens, who tend to be more trusting and have less experience navigating the world of online finance. Identity theft is a crime where perpetrators obtain your personally identifiable information to make online purchases, file for cash refunds, and use your name for economic gain.

    • 9.2: Consumer Protection Agencies

      Examples of consumer protection agencies in the United States include the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, state departments and agencies, and state attorney generals. However, enforcing consumer protection laws is often limited due to the global nature of online fraudulent activity – perpetrators can easily escape punishment by hiding in foreign jurisdictions.

  • Unit 10: Future Trends in Global Finance

    Financial technology (FinTech) refers to a broad range of technological innovations that enhance financial sector services. Innovations include budgeting software, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding, electronic payments and transfers, insurance, robo-advisors, and trading applications. These applications reduce costs and risks and extend and broaden services to unbanked populations. FinTech has contributed significantly to the growth of global financial inclusion.

    In 2023, the United Nations Economist Network documented how FinTech lowers the cost of providing financial services in its FinTech and Digital Finance for Financial Inclusion Report. Digital accounts cost as little as $10 per customer annually, making it profitable to provide accounts for more than 1.6 billion low-income individuals and businesses in developing countries. This costs 90 percent less than conventional bank accounts, and more than half of customers are women. The report states that FinTech companies can lend "up to $2.1 trillion in capital for individuals and micro, small, and mid-sized businesses. Improving access to financial services could add $3.7 trillion to the GDP (gross domestic product) of emerging economies by 2025 and create up to 95 million new jobs in lowest-income countries, adding as much as 10-12 percent to their GDP." In this unit, we explore how evolving communications technologies, increasing rates of life expectancy, and changing workforce demographics have transformed the global financial marketplace.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • 10.1: Technology in Finance

      FinTech has expanded access to formal financial markets. Mobile apps, digital wallets, and microfinance websites give people in rural and underserved regions easier access to banking services. Removing geographical boundaries and reducing dependence on conventional banking infrastructure has created a more inclusive global financial ecosystem.

    • 10.2: Sustainable Finance

      Sustainable finance refers to the practices, standards, regulations, and products that pursue financial returns alongside environmental and/or social objectives. In essence, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing is the principle that prioritizes companies' responsibility to promote environmental and social causes, renewable resources, and socially responsible corporate governance.

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  • Certificate Final Exam

    Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

    To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.