MAN4910 Senior Capstone Project in Banking(On-line or Blended) Syllabus

 

Course Description Hardware & Software Requirements Dropping the Course

Virtual Office Hours Course Objectives Assignments & Due Dates Overview

Technical Assistance Required Textbook Grading Policy

Student Requirements Attendance About the Instructor

Students with Disabilities

Course Objectives stated in Performance Terms

 

 

Course Description:This is like no other course you have taken at SPC. Throughout this course your role will be that of a Bank Executive and you will be running a Bank. In this capacity you will plan, direct, and become the principle decision maker for your Bank. In prior courses your role had been evaluating the decisions of others. Now the shoe is on the other foot and you are now on the decision-maker “hot seat”. Your bank will prosper (or die) based on your decisions.

The course will give you the opportunity to experience and apply all that you have learned so far and to see the interplay of all disciplines and actual results. You will have the chance to really do things – and be subject to realistic macroeconomic environments and what will be intense competition. You will be responsible for charting a course – and then achieving the planned results. 47 contact hours.

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Course Objectives:

1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of current and real world banking management issues.

2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of banking industry methods, regulatory requirements, and

informed ethical approaches for dealing with banking management issues.

3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the different types of banking operations and banking market

environments, their interactions, their profitability and the risks associated with banking ventures.

4. The student will analyze and develop both potential and applicable solutions to banking management issues.

5. The student will develop a detailed project and/or solution within the banking environment and industry.

Upon Completion – students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Specify & execute goals and policies for operating a bank… including Regulatory Compliance.

2. Analyze and manage the financial state and performance of a bank.

3. Specify & execute strategies to manage the impact of interest rate risk on the Net Interest Income (NII) and value of a bank.

4. Specify & execute strategies to manage the liquidity risk of a bank.

5. Specify & execute credit and pricing policies.

6. Operate a bank in a competitive, simulation situation.

7. Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of your bank; prepare a professional Annual Report, and present to a board of banking executives.

Course Organization and Structure

This is an advanced professional business course that is intended to prepare competent practitioners. The course

emphasizes a mastery of fundamentals AND the competent application of those fundamentals to achieve practical

results in “real-world” situations. Furthermore this course emphasizes critical thinking v. a “question & answer” format.

It also emphasizes “active” v. “passive” learning & participation. Note – you are the decision maker and will be

expected to act independently.

The course is structured in a manner to help students successfully achieve these goals. This course will include:

1. Management Activities. Students are required to complete a series of assignments, including:

a. Evaluating Manager & Directors roles – using leading edge professional materials (Fed Reserve, BIS, FDIC);

b. Assessing the Liquidity Risk & IRR positions (BIS, FDIC materials)

c. Developing and clearly specifying a set of goals, objectives, policies, and strategies for their bank.

Compliance & related performance will be crucial to the bank’s performance through the simulation.

d. Assessing actual performance relative to track to these goals, objectives, policies, and strategies. Other

assignments are also made throughout the course.

2. Project. The course includes a project in which students will demonstrate the ability to plan and anticipate the

financial consequences of their decisions (via manually prepared Pro-Formas). This is a manual exercise that

provides students with a more fundamental experience with the characteristics and consequences of their

decisions. This project also prepares students for the eventual Simulation experience.

3. Workshops. The course includes “remote” Workshops. One helps prepare students for the Simulation

experience. The other helps prepare students for the Annual Report Presentation.

4. Simulation. The course includes a major simulation experience during which the student will operate a bank in a

realistic macroeconomic and competitive environment. The student will be responsible for all management

decisions and will be subject to realistic regulatory review. With each quarterly cycle students will formally assess

the prior period performance, specify objectives for the next quarter, and present the formal operating

characteristics (forms) they will follow for the upcoming quarter.

5. Annual Report & Board Presentation. Students will prepare a professional-level Annual Report, reflecting the

performance of their simulation bank. Both the Report and a professional grade PowerPoint presentation will be

developed – with the possibility of being presented to a board of banking executives serving as a Board of

Directors.

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Course Requirements:

Student Requirements: Prerequisite(s): Student must have completed all major (core) courses in the Banking BAS or BS BA Program, including 1. FIN4324 – Commercial Bank Management, 2. FIN3461 – Financial Analysis, and 3. FIN4345 – Credit Analysis & Loan Structuring (to be taken simultaneously in first Mod).

This course provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate that he/she has learned the material from the program, can evaluate and apply all of the material, and can synthesize the concepts and principles to make operating & performance decisions in a real world environment. This course should be taken during the student’s last semester at the college. It provides the student the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to recognize, assess, synthesize, and then act as a decision maker. This course is the Capstone course and is usually the last course before graduation. There are 47 in total contact hours required.

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Required Textbook(s):

There are no required textbooks for this course

However, for Reference purposes you will want to use:

1. Bank Management and Financial Services – 9th Ed. – by Peter S. Rose & Sylvia C. Hudgins 2. All of the materials used in FIN4345 - Credit Analysis & Loan Structuring

3. All of the materials used in FIN3461 – Financial Analysis

4. All of the materials used in FIN3403 – Financial Management

5. Optionally - Money, Banking, and Financial Markets – 2nd Edition – by Steven G. Cecchetti

All other necessary materials, including the Simulation Guide and various FDIC, Fed, and BIS materials, will be provided by the instructor.

Capstone Simulation Guide:

Students will be provided a guide for the bank simulation. The guide includes everything needed to conduct the Simulation.

Computational Skills:

Students are required to use Excel, Word, and Powerpoint to do class assignments, projects, case analyses, and presentations. Basic Excel competence is expected. Please be aware that specific Excel “programming” issues will not be addressed in the class. In particular, students will find that the use Excel will expedite bank performance analysis.

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Hardware and Software Requirements: 

Students should have regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet. It is strongly recommended that students have a broadband (high-speed) internet connection such as DSL or a cable modem. When taking on-line quizzes and exams (or viewing on-line video), students should have an internet connection that is stable and will not drop their connection. 

Students without a stable high-speed internet connection should consider making arrangements to take on-line quizzes and exams at one of the St. Petersburg College libraries (or a similar facility) where a stable high-speed internet connection is available.  Internet Explorer is the preferred browser to use to access course materials. 

Because of the use of teams in many classes, we require a common format for all students to share documents. Students are required to submit assignments and share team documents in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) formats. No other formats (such as .RTF, .WPS, etc) will be accepted.

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program that is the tool of choice among business & financial professionals. Using Excel in this class (while not absolutely required) can increase your productivity and accuracy, help you get the most out of this course, and prepare you to work on a professional level.

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About the Instructor: 

Dr. Irv DeGrawhttp://it.spcollege.edu:8500/course_info/inquiry.cfm?number=830

Please note: the appropriate salutation is either Professor DeGraw or Dr. DeGraw

Virtual Office Hours:

I will be available before and after any blended course. The best way to reach me is via email. I keep extensive virtual office hours and am generally available via email seven days a week. Typically, I also check emails several times over the weekend. Please be aware that email is the preferred means of contact.

Telephone calls are not encouraged. Not because I don’t want to chat with you - but because missed connections, incomplete messages (the no message “please call”), and the inevitable “telephone tag” are inefficient and frustrating for all. Over the past year several students have actually expressed disappointment because I did not return telephone calls made to the office on weekends or on late weeknights. Be aware that, in general, we are not in the office over weekends or around the clock.

However, I do try to keep a close watch on my email traffic – at all hours - and prior students will report that emails were frequently returned promptly.

There may be guest lectures either by other faculty or outside experts in the area. The names and timings of these lectures will be made available in advance as it becomes known.

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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Time Commitment:

This is a 3-credit course conducted over 16 weeks. In order to meet accreditation standards, on average, students should expect to spend between 8-12 hours per week on course activities and assignments. Spending less time would be insufficient for success in this course.

Class Attendance & Participation:

Class participation and attendance are expected and required. Participation is defined as reading and preparing for class, completing and submitting assignments on time, and taking part in all course activities. The Assignments and Due Dates Overview has assignments, and final project due dates listed.  

Consistent with the policies of St. Petersburg College, attendance will be taken in every course – including both blended and online. Failure to attend classes may jeopardize federal & state financing arrangements and scholarship awards.

St. Petersburg College requires all professors to monitor student attendance and participation in educational activities on a weekly basis. Students are required to attend blended classes and/or participate in their on-line course each week as verified by activity within the ANGEL Learning Management System, such as a discussion board posting, submission of an assignment, messaging your instructor, chat, and completion of polls, quizzes or tests.

If you exceed four weeks of unexcused or otherwise undocumented absence, you will either be administratively withdrawn by the instructor if this occurs before the 60 percent point in the term, or be given a grade of WF if it occurs later in the term. If you are in your third attempt at completing a course, you will be given a WF grade at any point in the term that you exceed the maximum number of weeks absent. Excused absences, of course, will not count against you

For students enrolled in blended courses, attendance is measured by your physical presence in the class. For students enrolled in online only courses, attendance is measured by your on-time assignment submission. Requests for an excused absence MUST be made at least 7 hrs BEFORE the class. Requests made after the class (ex post) will not be honored.

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Academic Honesty:

Academic honesty and plagiarism falls under the Academic Honesty Policy of the college.

Within the College of Business there is a zero tolerance for any violation of the St. Petersburg College Academic Honesty Policy. Any student violating this Academic Honesty Policy should expect to receive an immediate grade of “F” for the course. Students further need to recognize the zero tolerance nature of this policy – there will be no warnings or second chances.

Academic integrity is submitting one’s own work and properly acknowledging the contributions of others. Any violation of this principle constitutes academic dishonesty and is liable to result in a failing grade and disciplinary action. Forms of academic dishonesty include:

Plagiarism – submitting all or part of another’s work as one’s own. Cheating – using, or attempting to use, unauthorized materials on an examination or assignment.

Facilitating – helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty. (source: Franklin University)

Academic dishonesty is inexcusable and students should not embarrass themselves, or jeopardize their careers, by misrepresenting the work of others as their own.

Please note that in a profession such as banking, where professionals are entrusted with other people’s money, the highest standards of personal integrity are absolutely required.

Students exhibiting lax academic integrity should expect to be precluded from profession’s in this industry.

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Dropping the Course:

Students may drop a course through the registration process and may receive a refund during the first week of classes. After the first week students need to notify the instructor and then withdraw from the course. Students should refer to the academic calendar for the exact dates and should also review the Withdrawal Policy

Please note that it is solely the student’s responsibility to drop classes in a timely manner in order to qualify for any tuition refund. It is also solely the student’s responsibility to complete a withdrawal within the published deadlines. Notifying the course instructor of an intent to drop or withdraw is insufficient. Only the student, not the instructors, may perform a drop or withdrawal.

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CLASSPOLICIES

1. Grading PolicyReflecting the Policies of the College of Business - Students MUST submit all of the assignments for each week – by the deadline – or they will not receive credit for the week. There will be absolutely no exceptions to the deadlines and under no circumstances will partial credit be applied for late submissions.

In this course, my absolute “drop-dead” deadline is 9:00am on Monday mornings (see specific dates and assignments in the Assignments and Due Dates Section. After that time, I will not accept submissions and those assignments receive an automatic grade of zero.

In the business world, if you are late with your bid, you will not get the contract; if you are late with an assignment, you may not receive any further pay. The very same principle applies here – just like the business world, it is all or nothing!

Now, in the event of a D2L problem, there is no crisis. Just submit your assignments directly to my college email account. That works for me – and I’d understand.

Since there are absolutely no exceptions to this rule, be sure to view the assignments and expectations in the Course’s Contents Section, and ensure you will be able to meet them.

2. Classes are conducted using a "team" format. Student teams (2 - 3 members) are ASSIGNED in the first class. Teams collaborate and make joint submissions of homework assignments and receive common team grades for these activities.

Certain other assignments, in this course, are conducted on an individual basis only.

Team work is not always easy and conflicts often result from differing skill levels and work ethics. When teams work and communicate well, however, the benefits more than compensate for the difficulties. One way to improve the chances that a team will work well is to agree beforehand on what everyone on the team expects from everyone else. If a team member refuses to cooperate on an assignment, his/her name should not be included on the completed work.

Previous students have found that team collaboration is beneficial to enriched performance and to workload management. However, there are certain rules.

a. Student teams are permanent and may not have more than 2 - 3 members (without explicit instructor approval).

b. Team rosters are due following the first class.

c. Individuals may not "float" among teams. Any change in membership requires the instructor's explicit permission.

d. All team members are required to actively participate and contribute to the team’s work products.

e. If a team member fails to contribute to any assignment, the team should not include that member’s name on the assignment. In that case, the member would receive no credit for the assignment. However, should the team choose to include the member’s name anyway, the individual would receive full credit. It is the team’s call. NOTE: it is also not uncommon for teams to complain (typically at the end of a term) that one team member did not contribute – but they named them on each assignment. If you carry someone, you are responsible. If they are not contributing – do you really want to carry them?

f. There is no room for "free-riders" (permanently non-contributing team members) and such non-contributing members may also be "fired" from their team (with instructor notification). Fired team members will be responsible for completing all remaining assignments individually.

Course Assignments and Activities

Assignments and Due Dates Overview For details see Content and Weeks 1-16 in Angel.

PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY – all assignments are due by no later than 9:00am on the due date specified (usually a Monday morning). Assignments received after that time will be not be accepted… WITHOUT EXCEPTION!

MAN4910 – Banking Capstone

Week Class Date

Class Topics Assignments Due Date

1 1/12 Course Process & Responsibilities

Management & Directors Roles & Responsibilities

Planning & Operating a Bank Yr1 Plan & Pro-forma

Read:Bank Director’s Primer (Fed Atlanta)Pocket Guide to “Red Flags”

Written: Assignment #1

Yr-1 Pro-forma, evaluation

1/18

2 1/19 Planning & Operating a Bank Yr1 – Yr2 Plan & Pro-forma

Read:BIS Liquidity Risk ManagementFDIC Liquidity Risk ManagementFDIC IRR Position

Written: Assignment #2

Yr-2 Pro-forma, Evaluation

1/25

3 1/26 Planning & Operating a Bank Yr2 – Yr3 Plan & Pro-forma

Read:Simulation Guide

Written: Yr-3 Pro-forma, Evaluation

2/01

4 2/02Simulation Introduction Review & interpret - Base bank position - Forms - Processes

Read:Simulation Guide; Base Bank position

Written:Base Case Analysis

2/08

First round trial simulation data submitted

5 2/09 Simulation Trial Round #1Simulation Workshop

Read:Analyze & evaluate First Trial results

Written:

First round trial simulation evaluation

Second round trial simulation data submitted

2/15

6 2/16 Simulation Trial Round #2 Read:Analyze & Evaluate Second Trial results

Written:Bank Policy & Strategy Statement

Second round simulation evaluation

Submit Q1 Simulation data

2/22

7 2/23 Simulation Q1

Bank Objectives & Mission Seminar (tentative)(Class only if Seminar is conducted)

Written:Evaluate Q1 performanceSubmit Q2 data

3/01

8 3/02 Simulation Q2 Written: Evaluate Q2 performanceSubmit Q3 data

3/15

9 3/16 Simulation Q3Written:Evaluate Q3 performance

3/22

Submit Q4 data

10 3/23 Simulation Q4 Written:Evaluate Q4 performanceSubmit Q5 data

3/29

11 3/30 Simulation Q5

Written:Evaluate Q5 performanceSubmit Q6 data

4/05

12 4/06 Simulation Q6 Written:Evaluate Q6 performanceSubmit Q7 data

4/12

13 4/13 Simulation Q7 Written:Evaluate Q7 performanceSubmit Q8 data

4/19

14 4/20 Simulation Q8 Written:Evaluate Q8 performance

4/26

15 4/27 Annual Report

Workshop / Audition

Written:Evaluate total performance assessment relative to Goals & Policies;Formal Annual Report

Formal PowerPoint presentation

5/03

16 5/04 Presentations TBA

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Grading Policy:

The total grade for all students in Capstone course will be calculated based on the weighted percentages for the three key areas:

1. Class Assignments 10 %2. Pro-Forma Project 10 %3. Bank Simulation 50 %4. Analysis & Evaluation 15 %5. Annual Report & Presentation 15 %

Assessment Grading Guidelines

Grade Meaning Guidelines

A Superior Academic Work

Significant evidence of:

Superior innovation and synthesis of thought Superior application of concepts & theories

Insightful, logical reasoning

Mastery of the conventions of standard written & spoken English, including citation conventions

B Good Academic Work

Solid evidence of:

Innovation and synthesis of thought Application of concepts & theories

Sound, logical reasoning

Mastery of the conventions of standard written & spoken English, including citation conventions

C Adequate Academic Work

Minimal evidence of:

Synthesis of thought Application of concepts & theories

Sound, logical reasoning

Application of the conventions of standard written & spoken English, including citation conventions

D Marginal Academic Work

Some limited evidence of:

Synthesis of thought A limited application of concepts & theories

Limited or flawed reasoning

Limited application of the conventions of standard written & spoken English, including citation conventions

F Unacceptable Academic Work

Learning outcomes were not met

(Source: Franklin University)

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Technical Assistance:Help Desk Hours - Effective 1/18/2000Monday through Thursday 7 A.M. to 11 P.M.Friday 7 A.M. to 7 P.M.Saturday 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Sunday 12 P.M. to 5 P.M.Email: helpdesk@spjc.eduPhone: (727) 791-2795

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From Student and Educational Services-Students with Disabilities If you wish to receive special accommodations as a student with a documented disability, please make an appointment with the Learning Specialist on the Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, or St. Petersburg sites. If you have a documented hearing loss, please contact the Program for the Deaf at 791-2628 (V/TDD). 

Clearwater Linda Giar AD 122 791-2710St. Petersburg/ Gibbs Gene Oskamp AD 120 341-4316Tarpon Springs Barbara Thompson Counseling 712-5789Seminole

About the Instructor: 

Instructor:        

Dr. Irv DeGraw

  Office:       

EpiCenter 2-416

  Office Phone: 

(727) 341-3062

  Email: Degraw.irv@spcollege.edu