Postgraduate Module Descriptor


LAWM080: International Banking Law

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover the following topics:

  • General history and introduction of the development of modern banking, including shadow banking, securities finance and Fintech
  • The structure of international banking regulation in particular the work of the Financial Stability Board and the Bank of International Settlements and Basle I-III Agreements
  • European Union Banking regulation in particular the operation of the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the European Banking Authority
  • UK banking regulation – the role of the Bank of England, the Prudential Regulatory Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to the operation of banks
  • Old and new currencies, including Bitcoin.
  • The regulation of money laundering and terrorist financing
  • The banker-customer relationship and the key private law elements of typical banking contracts that are important in relation to business lending
  • The law relating to commercial loans – using a syndicated loan as a case study
  • Sustainable Finance, the Law and Stakeholders framework.
  • The role of multilateral financial institutions (e.g. the World Bank Group) and niche organisations such as the Global Alliance for Banking on Values in bringing regulatory changes for sustainable banking
  • Environmental obligations imposed on banks in relation to large scale project finance – and in particular the operation of the Equator Principles

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
302700

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 31 x 3 hour introductory lecture session.
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 99 x 1 hour overview lectures relating to the material which will be the subject of the following week’s seminar. Lectures which introduce students to particular topics and will provide the foundation for independent guided study.
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 189 x 2 hour lecturer-led, two-hour seminars (total of nine). Students will be expected to participate in making at least one presentation, either individually or, if numbers are large, as part of a team, during the course of the seminar programme.
Guided independent study160Preparation for seminars, including seminar presentations.
Guided independent study60Preparation for (written) formative exercise and summative assessment.
Guided independent study50Other guided independent study, such as individual research and reading.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Use of law databases – such as Westlaw, Lexisnexis, Lawtel as well as the Library Electronic Journals database, to consult especially the Journal of International Banking Law and Regulation. You will also be encouraged to use the FT.com website.