Commercial Banking & Fintech Course | IIT Kanpur | Prof. Wasim Ahmad
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 769 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Economics & Social Sciences, Economics & Finance |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 24 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Introduction to Commercial Banking and Fintech: A 12-Week Course by IIT Kanpur
In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, understanding the core mechanisms of commercial banking and the disruptive force of financial technology (fintech) is crucial. A new 12-week course, Introduction to Commercial Banking and Fintech, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, provides a comprehensive and practical deep dive into these interconnected worlds. Designed and taught by Prof. Wasim Ahmad, this course bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world financial systems.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Wasim Ahmad
Bringing a unique blend of academic rigor and industry insight, Prof. Wasim Ahmad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economic Sciences at IIT Kanpur. With approximately 15 years of combined industry and academic experience, his expertise spans international finance, climate finance, and corporate governance. His distinguished academic journey includes a Post-doctorate from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he is also a Visiting Fellow at the India Observatory. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. This rich background ensures the course content is both globally relevant and grounded in practical application.
Who Should Enroll in This Course?
This course is meticulously designed for a wide audience seeking to build or enhance their expertise in banking and finance:
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students from Economics, Business, Commerce, and related disciplines.
- Aspiring Professionals targeting careers in banking, financial services, fintech startups, regulatory bodies, or financial analysis.
- Early-career professionals in the BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector looking to solidify their foundational knowledge.
- Anyone interested in understanding the practical workings of monetary policy, bank balance sheets, and the fintech revolution beyond textbook theories.
The course has strong industry support from Banking and Financial Services Firms, underscoring its relevance to current market needs.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
Structured over 12 intensive weeks, the curriculum moves from foundational concepts to advanced, contemporary topics in fintech. The practical approach helps demystify the functioning of financial institutions.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topic | Key Learning Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Commercial Banking | Role of banks in the economy and linkages with macroeconomic aggregates. |
| 2 | Macroeconomics of Commercial Banking – I | Macro-side of banking and monetary policy transmission channels. |
| 3 | Macroeconomics of Commercial Banking – II | IS-LM framework, credit market imperfections, and the banking sector's role. |
| 4 | Credit Creation Mechanism | How banks create money and its connection to money supply. |
| 5 | Balance Sheets of Commercial Banks | Analyzing bank income statements and balance sheets (assets vs. liabilities). |
| 6 | Performance and Risk Analysis | CAMELS analysis, balance sheet risk indicators, and systemic risk. |
| 7 | Indian Commercial Banking System | Peculiarities of India's system, NBFCs, and the Financial Stability Report. |
| 8 | Banking Sector Regulations | Global regulatory architecture and the role of central banks. |
| 9 | Macroprudential Risk and Banking | Systemic risk measures and their impact on daily bank operations. |
| 10 | Fintech and Its Importance | Conceptual understanding, regulations, sandboxes, and interdependencies. |
| 11 | Fintech Startup Ecosystem | Account aggregators, Fintech-NBFC collaborations, and co-lending models. |
| 12 | Recent Developments in Fintech | Fintech bridge, new regulations (e.g., All-Ways Amendment Act 2025), digital banking. |
Key Textbooks and Reading Materials
The course draws upon authoritative texts and essential publications to provide a robust learning framework:
- Mishkin, F. S. (2021). The Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets (13th Edition).
- Mishkin, F. S., & Eakins, S. G. (2018). Financial Markets and Institutions (9th Edition).
- Williamson, D.S. (2018). Macroeconomics (6th Edition).
- Economic Survey, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.
- Reserve Bank of India Financial Stability Report.
Why This Course is Essential for Your Career
This course offers a unique value proposition by combining theoretical depth with practical exposure. You will not only learn about monetary policy but understand how it transmits through banks to the real economy. You will move beyond generic balance sheet analysis to specialized banking indicators. Most importantly, you will gain critical insights into how fintech is reshaping traditional banking, from regulations and sandboxes to co-lending models and the latest digital banking frameworks.
Whether you aim to work in a traditional bank, a dynamic fintech startup, or a regulatory institution, this course provides the foundational knowledge and contemporary context needed to excel. Enroll in Introduction to Commercial Banking and Fintech and take a significant step towards mastering the engines of the modern financial world.
Enroll Now →