What is banking, and why is it important to learn about?

Banking is familiar to us all as the industry that provides most of the financial services we rely on for our personal and business needs, which is clearly important to the normal functioning of the economy. However, to understand what banking really does and why it is so important, it’s helpful to look at a more specific definition. According to Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco : “Banks allocate funds from savers to borrowers in an efficient manner. They provide specialized financial services, which reduce the cost of obtaining information about both savings and borrowing opportunities. These financial services help make the overall economy more efficient.” In other words, when you deposit money you don’t currently need into your savings account, the bank pays you interest to use this money to purchase securities or finance loans to businesses, individuals, or governments that need the money now. By leveraging vast institutional expertise in financial markets, the banking sector plays a centrally important role in the global economy by efficiently reallocating trillions of dollars between billions of savers and borrowers, ranging in scale from credit card bills of a few dollars to billion-dollar corporate mergers. While the banking industry is centuries old, it has seen an incredible amount of change and disruption over the past two decades from innovations in financial technology (or “fintech”) and new financial products. The emergence of cryptocurrencies, peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, and microfinance have introduced new ways to provide financial services - and new competitors to traditional banks. And the financial crisis of 2008 exposed new vulnerabilities of our interconnected and accelerated global economy, which is once again being tested by the COVID-19 epidemic. Thus, banking today is not only a massively important industry - it’s also a dynamic one in the midst of unprecedented change.

What kinds of careers can I have with an education in banking?

Career opportunities in banking span a wide range of roles and educational requirements. Bank tellers, for example, typically only have a high school diploma along with on-the-job training. However, these customer service-oriented positions are declining in number as ATM machines and online banking services reduce the need for in-person tellers. In contrast, bank roles requiring a higher level of education continue to grow. Jobs for loan officers, who evaluate and authorize approvals of loan applications for individuals and businesses, are projected to grow 8% between 2018 and 2028 - faster than average - by the Bureau of Labor Statistics . These roles blend analytical skills needed for the underwriting process as well as customer service and sales skills to guide borrowers through the process, and typically require a bachelor’s degree as well as on-the-job training. Financial analyst is another prominent entry-level banking job requiring a bachelor’s degree. These professionals evaluate investment opportunities by doing sector-specific research and financial modeling and make recommendations to banks of ways to profitably put their money to work. Because of the importance of banks in the financial system, these analysts must do rigorous due diligence, and typically have strong skills in math, statistics, and proficiency in software like Excel used to build financial models.

Can I learn about banking through online courses on Coursera?

Yes, absolutely. Coursera offers courses from world-class professors at top-ranked schools like Columbia University and Yale University that can give you a deep understanding of global banking and financial markets. You can also take courses and Specializations to build the skills you need for a career in the rapidly-evolving banking industry, in topics like financial technology, data analysis, business, and computer science. Regardless of your needs, Coursera lets you learn remotely on a flexible schedule that is ideal for working professionals that want to expand their skill set in banking or begin a career in this field. Tuition is also significantly lower than on-campus alternatives, making online learning an especially smart investment in your future.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn banking?

The skills and experience that you might need to already have before starting to learn banking include an interest in money and financial assets, good analytical skills, attention to detail, a strong technology background, and an understanding of institutional finance. As banking continues to grow more digital and online by the day, more banks are looking for people who know how technology is impacting the business of handling money. So it might be helpful to learn computer programming and financial modeling concepts before starting to learn banking. Personality skills that would be useful to have before learning banking could include an ability to handle stress, to work well with others, and have confidence in dealing with retail banking customers.

What kind of people are best suited for work that involves banking?

The kind of people that are best suited for work that involves banking are those who have the ability to learn financial concepts quickly. This is useful in banking for understanding the basic banking fundamentals as well as emerging financial concepts like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and regulatory technology. Because the financial industry thrives on innovation, and elements may change over time, people who are flexible and can adapt to changing environments will also be well-suited for working in banking. A person who has the ability to handle pressure and show resilience in difficult times might also be well suited for work that involves banking.

How do I know if learning banking is right for me?

You might know if learning banking is right for you if you show a passion for numbers, interest rates, financial planning, and other concepts that may seem foreign to many consumers. Having integrity and good judgment, as well as a sharp eye for spotting financial inconsistencies, are also solid personality traits that might convince someone that they're right for banking.

What are the benefits of taking an online Banking course?

Online Banking courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Banking skills. With a wide range of Banking classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Banking career skills.

What Banking courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Banking, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Banking Courses - Learn Banking Online

Explore the Banking Course Catalog

SkillUp EdTech
The Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst Capstone Project
Skills you'll gain: Presentations, Business Intelligence, Dashboard, Tableau Software, IBM Cognos Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Looker (Software), Regression Analysis, PostgreSQL, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Data Cleansing, Microsoft Excel, SQL, Data Manipulation, Data Quality
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Campus BBVA
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Dashboard, Business Analytics, Data Visualization, Data Quality, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Analytics, Descriptive Statistics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Inference, Big Data, Project Management Life Cycle
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Corporate Finance Institute
Economics for Capital Markets
Skills you'll gain: Financial Trading, Financial Market, Market Data, Economics, Capital Markets, Market Dynamics, Business Economics, Securities Trading, Market Trend, Economic Development, Banking, Investment Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Financial Forecasting, Forecasting, Analysis
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
An Introduction to Fixed Income Securities
Skills you'll gain: Risk Analysis, Securities (Finance), Financial Analysis, Credit Risk, Financial Market, Investment Management, Investments, Risk Management, Market Data, Equities, Portfolio Management, Finance, Wealth Management, Investment Banking
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Corporate Finance Institute
Power Pivot Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Star Schema, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Storytelling, Microsoft Excel, Data Modeling, Business Intelligence, Competitive Analysis, Data Presentation, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Business Metrics, Data Manipulation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Universidades Anáhuac
Fundamentos de Derecho Mercantil Internacional
Skills you'll gain: Tax Laws, International Finance, Tax, International Relations, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Export Control, Financial Regulation, Tax Compliance, Economics, Banking, Contract Management, E-Commerce, Investments
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Corporate Finance Institute
Introduction to Capital Markets
Skills you'll gain: Capital Markets, Financial Market, Investment Banking, Securities Trading, Securities (Finance), Investments, Brokerage, Finance, Private Equity, Sales, Investment Management, Portfolio Management, Market Dynamics, Asset Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Interactive Statistical Data Visualization 101
Skills you'll gain: Plotly, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Visualization, Box Plots, Scatter Plots, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Histogram
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Packt
Introduction to FinTech Using R
Skills you'll gain: Shiny (R Package), FinTech, Data-Driven Decision-Making, R Programming, Financial Market, Budget Management, Web Applications, Financial Forecasting, Technical Analysis, Real Time Data, Strategic Decision-Making, Asset Management, Financial Analysis, Quantitative Research, Portfolio Management, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Statistical Analysis, Algorithms
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Mejores Decisiones con Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Analytics, Data Mining, Business Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Business Intelligence, Forecasting, Advanced Analytics, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Trend Analysis, Big Data
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
58 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SkillUp EdTech
Generative AI: Elevate your Business Intelligence Career
Skills you'll gain: Interactive Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Data Presentation, Infographics, Data Visualization, Dashboard, Generative AI, Data Storytelling, Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Query Languages, SQL, Data Analysis, Text Mining, Business Ethics, Natural Language Processing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Data Visualization in Qlik Sense
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Dashboard
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks