Banking and Microfinance (1 year PG Diploma in BMF)

Programme

Academic Council

Objectives And Programme Concepts

Carrer Opportunities

Course Outline And Delivery

Syllabus

Eligibility And Admission Procedure

Programme

The current programme is offered in association with The Bridge Foundation, Bangalore , and All India Association of Microenterprise Development (AIAMED), Delhi.

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

The apex boy will provide guidance and direction to the programme will consist of

1. Dr Vinay Samuel, Founder Trustee, The Bridge Foundation (unable to find contact details)
2. Terry Winters, Former Chairman, Opportunity International Australia
3. Mathew Titus, Executive Director, SA-DHAN
4. Moumita Sen, VP and Head-Microfinance, ABN-AMRO
5. Vijay Mahajan, Chairman, Basix
6. Vere Cornerio, CEO, Citizen Bank
7. Collin Timms, Chairman, Guardian Bank, Bangalore

OBJECTIVES AND PROGRAMME CONCEPTS

World economies are changing with new mindsets, new technologies, new rules and new directions. Financial sector reforms have received top priority ever since the Government of India initiated the process of economic liberalization way back in 1991. These reforms have stretched the limits of the financial services sector and have been transforming our capital markets and financial services in a big way to such an extent that distinctions between traditional banking and commercial banking, developmental banking and investment banking are getting blurred. Today universal banking is the norm. This financial convergence of sorts will gather momentum in the years to come.

Financial sector reforms have encouraged private players to enter the banking and microfinance business in collaboration with major international funding agencies, investment companies and banks. This new scenario will witness financially sound and experienced players transforming the industry with best practices in product development, operational efficiency, marketing capability, service focus, and technology.

Therefore, there is an immediate, waiting-to-be-fulfilled, need for intensive, futuristic and career-oriented programs such as this, which will create competent and trained inclusive banking professionals.

Therefore to shape professionals to fulfill the requirements of conventional banking and inclusive financial services to the poor, this programme is based on the fact that flow of money shall no longer should be just based on profit but should be inclusive based on needs, poverty and the future of nation building. Inclusive financial services to the poor has been evolving as a system and body of knowledge and this course contributes towards that objective by creating professionals in this field to find a satisfying career in conventional banking and financial services.

This programme facilitates the knowledge and working of conventional banking along with inclusive financial services to the poor tracing its roots, different approaches ,delivery channels, financial methods and tools, values and impact on sustainable improvement in poverty through inclusive financial services. The participant in the programme will enhance their knowledge in understanding of the conventional banking and inclusive financial services.

This diploma will train and equip in conventional banking and financing with social, ethical and moral responsibility. This diploma will enable and enhance with critical and common skills needed for conventional banking along with skills and knowledge needed for inclusive financial services to the poor which has attained commercial success.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Students, at the end of their one year programme will be well-equipped to get into any of the following areas.

1. Conventional commercial banking
2. Insurance and pension funds
3. Rural Finance
4. Statutory and Regulatory bodies in the financial sector
5. Knowledge Processing Organizations (KPO)
6. Research Processing Organizations (RPO)
7. Inclusive Financial Services Organisations
8. Civil Society Organizations
9. NBFC
10. Global Financial Policy-making Organisations
11. NGOs
12. International Banking and Finance
13. Development Banking and Finance
14. International Legislation

COURSE OUTLINE AND DELIVERY

This is a job oriented and internship based programme. This diploma is divided into four inter-related modules conventional banking and finance, financial management and inclusive financial services to the poor. This will be followed by internship in conventional banking or in organizations involved in financial services to the poor, depending upon the participant's interest and aptitude. Total duration of the course is twelve months beginning in July 2007 until May 2008. Each module is three months long. The last of the module involves internship along with dissertation.

The modules of the programme are delivered using a variety of teaching and learner-centric methods. In addition to lectures and tutorials, the course makes use of case studies, role plays, field work, exercises, site visits, and live projects. The programme is based on the individual participants learning style with continuous assessment, which takes the form of reports, essays, case analysis and presentations. There will be a three-hour examination for each module at the end of each semester. The dissertation has to be submitted after the internship followed by a viva that will conducted after the final exams.

The faculty for this programme will be from the banking, insurance, pension sectors and professionals and organizations involved in providing financial services to the poor. The modules of the programme are delivered using a variety of teaching and learner centric methods. In addition to lectures and tutorials, the course makes use of case studies, role-playing, field work exercises, site visits, guest speakers and organizational projects extensively.

SYLLABUS

Trimester I

101 Business Accounting and Finance

102 Business Mathematics

103 Business Economics

104 Computers and MIS

Trimester 2

201 Development Economics

202 Treasury operations

203 Investment and portfolio Management

204 Capital markets

Trimester 3

301 Concept of Global Finance and Inclusive Financial Services

302 Promotional Financial Services to the Poor: Microfinance

303 Protectional Financial Services to the Poor: Micro-insurance and Micro-pension

304 Organizational, Statutory and Regulatory Aspects of Inclusive Financial Services

Internship
Dissertation
Final Exams
Placements

Download Application Form

ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Any graduate in Commerce, Management and Finance, aspiring to work in the banking and inclusive financial sector.

Course fee is for the one year diploma programme is Rs.60,000, which includes learning materials, classroom teaching and other facilities. The cost of residence and food has to be borne by the students (if they are not from Bangalore). The cost of internship and projects will also have to be borne by the students.

Admission will be on the basis of a written exam, group discussion and interview by a panel of financial experts, irrespective of GMAT scores.

Application forms can be downloaded from the web site www.commitsindia.com, and sent with a draft for Rs.850 drawn in favour of Commits, Bangalore.