This module studies the role of banking in the financial system and its importance in theoretical economics and finance. It highlights how the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–08 underscored banks’ central role in the economy. Banks are essential for channeling savings into productive real-economy investment and for creating liquidity by transforming illiquid assets into liquid liabilities and commitments. They also play a key role in managing and distributing risk, including credit, interest rate, foreign exchange, and liquidity risk, through balance sheet activities and derivatives. The course examines how technological change, regulation, and innovation have transformed the banking industry and its business models. It combines theoretical foundations with case studies on bank governance, regulation, risk management, and the ongoing digitization of banking.
- Analyze the business models, business lines, organizational structures, and governance processes of banks to gain a comprehensive understanding of their operations
- Evaluate the unique characteristics of a bank's role within the financial ecosystem, including the regulatory factors that influence the banking industry, and assess their implications for risk management and value-based management practices
- Apply this knowledge to critically assess and interpret the strategy, profitability, and stability of a bank in various contexts
- Examine the strategic implications and roles of banks in relation to macro-trends such as digitization, AI, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations
This course is part of the prestigious part-time Master in Finance program, conducted in English on Fridays and Saturdays on Campus Westend. It offers a valuable opportunity to network and gain expertise without committing to a full degree program. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Participation. This course may be credited towards the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Risk Management & Regulation when completed together with the other required courses within one academic year. As the number of seats is limited, we recommend to register early. If you're a GBS or Goethe University alum, explore our attractive alumni discount options.
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Next course offering: Summer Semester 2027. New dates will be announced soon.
Dr. Sebastian Fritz-Morgenthal
Dr. Sebastian Fritz-Morgenthal is a seasoned risk professional and currently serves as Managing Director at Advisense, a consultancy specializing in risk, compliance, and governance. Previously, he held senior risk management positions at organizations including Bain & Company, Deutsche Bank, WestLB, HSH Nordbank, and Strategy&. He holds a Diploma in Physics from the University of Hamburg and a PhD in Nuclear Physics from Goethe University Frankfurt. Alongside his professional work, Sebastian teaches at several academic institutions and has published extensively on risk-related topics.
Candidates with an undergraduate degree (i.e., bachelor or equivalent) of 180 credit points (CP) based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) can apply for our Open Programs. The allocation of credit points for work experience will appear on the Academic Transcript of Records and be titled ‘Prior Learning Assessment’.
Open Program applicants must submit a recent proof of English language proficiency at the higher B2 level per the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The GBS Office of Admissions will accept test results of the following tests, taken no longer than two years ago upon the date of submission:
- TOEFL iBT®
- TOEFL iBT® Home Edition
- IELTS
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- English Language Level Test (ELLT) - Oxford International Digital Institute
Applicants may request a waiver of proof of proficiency in English in case one of the following conditions applies. The applicant
- is a native speaker of English;
- has graduated from an international baccalaureate program
- has completed their undergraduate or master-level studies in a program taught entirely in English;
- has worked in an English-speaking country for at least one year.
If the applicant has not taken any of the above tests when submitting the application, the applicant can upload a confirmation of the test registration to the online admissions portal.
Applicants who submit a language certificate older than two years but without an expiry date will be invited for an additional interview with a native speaker of English.
Proof of relevant post-undergraduate work experience of at least one year is to be submitted, e.g., a performance review, reference letter, or written confirmation from your employer.