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Are you looking to get ahead in the workplace? Or maybe you just want to supplement your professional expertise. An online course is one of the best ways to do it. Whether you are new to banking or a seasoned professional, we have provided the top-rated banking courses for any skill level.
Featured Courses:
Quick Look: Best Banking Courses
- The Data Science of Economics, Banking, and Finance, with Barton Poulson by LinkedIn Learning - Get this course
- Economics of Money and Banking by Coursera - Get this course
- The Complete Investment Banking Course 2020 by Udemy - Get this course
- An Introduction to Credit Risk Management by edX- Get this course
- Banking for Small Business by LinkedIn Learning - Get this course
- Relationship Management in Corporate Banking by Udemy - Get this course
- Investment Banking – Demystifying the Fed’s Monetary Policy by Udemy - Get this course
- Hedge Funds Trading Investing – Value Investing Strategies by Udemy - Get this course
- Investment Banking: The Complete Financial Ratio Analysis by Udemy - Get this course
Finance books and stock market books may provide an extra understanding of the financial world, but to add to your comprehensive experience, a good online course can give you interactive knowledge within the comfort of your own home.
We’ve arranged several banking courses according to skill level. Whether you’re just starting out or are an expert superstar, there’s a class just for you.
What to Look for in a Banking Course
There are so many courses available online, but unlike enrolling in a traditional institution, you don’t always have the option of checking out a school’s reputation. Here are a few things to look for when searching for an online banking course:
Price
Price may be a major consideration when looking into a new class. Fortunately, single online courses are generally cheaper than paying tuition at a traditional institution. Nevertheless, the price may vary among online schools. Some schools offer free audits for most courses. This usually means you have access to all learning material, assignments and tests.
However, graded assignments or certificates of completion may cost you extra. On the other hand, some schools offer per-month or per-year subscription rates with little to no limitations on the number of classes you can take. Generally, these types of subscriptions also include certificates of completion that may also help spruce up your resume. Subscriptions are a great option for lifelong learners who like to take classes regularly.
Instructor’s Knowledge or Reputation
Who is teaching your class? What makes him or her better than reading a book? In general, class instructors have a wealth of knowledge they can impart to their students but some may be more qualified than most. Before signing up for a class, check out the instructor profile. Make sure he or she has the qualifications you’re looking for. Some instructors are affiliated with large traditional institutions and yet others are industry leaders.
Specific Skills Taught
You may find classes that are general introductions to the topic. However, many online classes focus on a particular specialization. You may want to learn more about banking, but which areas are important to you? Many online classes give you the course syllabus on the description page. This gives you a good idea about what is taught in the class.
Take a look at the syllabus before enrolling in a class to make sure that you’ll learn exactly what you’re looking for. Some classes may not pertain to banking per se, but they can serve as supplementary classes to your knowledge base. For example, if you’re in finance, a better understanding of data science may help you understand how it affects money, banking and economics.
Don’t rule out a class just because it doesn’t have your keyword in the title. You may be surprised how far another discipline may go in furthering your knowledge.
Best Banking Courses for Beginners
New to banking and searching for doundational knowledge? These course selections are an excellent place to start.
1. The Data Science of Economics, Banking, and Finance, with Barton Poulson by LinkedIn Learning
- Who’s It For? All Levels
- Price: On sale
This non-technical, conceptual approach to data science as it relates to the world of finance is a great intro course to the world of banking. Barton Poulson brings you a course that explains how big data applications, algorithms, automation, and machine learning impact money and economics. The course is relatively short at only less than an hour and a half total.
So it’s a brief overview that can be completed for free with a one-month trial if you don’t already have a LinkedIn Learning membership. Furthermore, it’s a good option for those of you already in the finance sector who want a better understanding of data science as it relates to money. But it also serves as a good foundational course for people who want to start studying banking.
2. Economics of Money and Banking by Coursera
- Who’s It For? All Levels
- Price: On sale
For anyone who wants to know where modern banking stems from and where it’s going, this class may be a good option. The “Economics of Money and Banking” revisits traditional monetary theories and systems past and present and how it may affect the future of finance.
Perry Mehrling is a professor of economics at Barnard College. He uses his expertise to guide students through monetary theories in a series of lectures and assignments. The entire course takes 46 hours to complete with a suggested schedule of five hours a week for 13 weeks.
3. The Complete Investment Banking Course 2020 by Udemy
Interested in getting a job on Wall Street? This investment banking course from Udemy can help walk you through everything you need to know and improve your chances of landing that dream job. This course covers banking jargon and common financial concepts like asset management, sales, trading and hedge funds.
In addition, the course designer, Dennis Cornell, also gives job seekers resume templates for a unique reference to make their own. But you don’t have to be a job seeker or investment banker to enjoy the class. Individuals and small business owners can also benefit from a better understanding of finance and banking as covered in the class.
Best for Intermediate Banking
If you have banking experience, you may find the following courses useful.
1. An Introduction to Credit Risk Management by edX
- Who’s It For: Intermediate
- Price: Free to audit, $50 with certificate
Some bankers need to know the ins and outs of credit risk management. But if you’re taking on this new role or feel that you can brush up on the topic, this one may be for you. Assistant Professor Pasquale Cirillo from Delft University of Technology goes over fundamentals like hedging and credit risk modeling.
The approach is from a bank’s standpoint, but the models and tools may also be used in a corporate setting as well. This class is free to audit, but it’s recommended that you know statistics, probability, and basic financial vocabulary.
2. Banking for Small Business by LinkedIn Learning
- Who’s It For? Intermediate
- Price: On sale
Banking classes aren’t just for bankers. This “Banking for Small Business” course covers how to organize your business. Topics also include borrowing to accelerate growth, cash flow management, and how to choose your financial partners.
The class instructor, Jane Barratt, is the founder and CEO of an online investing platform called Goldbean. She’s committed to helping small business owners understand the financial aspect of running their business. The course’s short duration is easy to fit into the busiest of schedules.
3. Relationship Management in Corporate Banking by Udemy
Geared specifically for relationship managers, this class goes over key concepts to finding and managing successful corporate client relationships in the corporate banking world. Instructor Ana Lucas, who has over 25 years of international corporate banking experience, shares her knowledge of a variety of corporate banking subjects through client examples.
Like most Udemy courses, you receive lifetime access to the 5.5 hours of videos and materials as well as a certificate of completion. And if you find that this course isn’t for you? Take advantage of Udemy’s 30-day money-back guarantee to receive a refund.
Best Expert-Level Banking Courses
Are you an experienced banker? These courses will enhance your banking skills.
1. Investment Banking – Demystifying the Fed’s Monetary Policy by Udemy
Even experts may need a boost when it comes to understanding how the Fed determines and implements its monetary policy. This class seeks to do this by going over fundamentals that may be applied to monetary policies around the world. Investment banker Mikesh Shah delivers a wealth of information in six hours of on-demand video. The Udemy fee also includes a certificate of completion and lifetime access to all the class content.
2. Hedge Funds Trading Investing – Value Investing Strategies by Udemy
Every banker can benefit from knowing a little more about various specializations. If you feel that your understanding of hedge funds can use some work, this class may be a good option. Learn about the history and fundamentals of hedge funds.
In addition, learn about famous strategies and use case studies to develop a better understanding of hedge funds. The class is taught by the Institute of Investment Banking with full lifetime access to all 15 hours of on-demand video. In addition, you can boost your resume with a certificate of completion for this course.
3. Investment Banking: The Complete Financial Ratio Analysis by Udemy
Whether you’re new to investment banking or want to add to your skill set, this complete course on financial ratio analysis may be just what you’re looking for. Learn the complete system to perform stock valuation and performance trends from Wealthy Education, a leader in e-learning courses for finance and financial management. Like most Udemy courses, you receive lifetime access to all the videos, articles and resources.
The course gets updated periodically, and you receive access to this new content as well. If you enroll and you find that the course isn’t what you’re looking for, Udemy has you covered. Get your money back within 30 days of enrolling with Udemy’s money-back guarantee.
The Final Word
Taking an online course can give your resume a boost or give you a better knowledge base at work.
Not all online courses are investing courses or banking courses, either. If you’ve always wanted to learn practical skills with the Microsoft software suite or enrich your personal life, there’s probably a class just right for you.
Best of all? The many online classes don’t have strict deadlines or specific login times. You can work your classes around your schedule and not the other way around.
Southern New Hampshire University Online
SNHU Online Offers:
- Flexible schedules
- Affordable tuition
- Online tutoring
- Access to electronic research materials
- Specialized academic advising
- Supportive online community