Department of Banking and Finance

The Banking and Finance Department, chaired by CNV Krishnan, Ph.D., is made up of world-renowned scholars from five continents, who hold PhDs from prestigious universities such as the University of Rochester, New York University, Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto and Emory University. Our faculty have furthered the boundaries of knowledge across the field of finance, including in such areas as corporation finance, banking, financial markets and derivatives, asset pricing, portfolio management, international finance, health finance, and law and finance. Our faculty publish regularly in top journals. Many of our faculty members also have extensive industry experience in consulting, banking, investment management, venture capital, and insurance. Members of the Banking and Finance Department frequently present at top finance conferences. Government agencies, major financial institutions, and corporations seek their expertise, and local and national media outlets appreciate their knowledge of financial markets and economic policy. Our faculty have contributed to policy debates on the world economy and global financial markets at the highest levels. In addition to their scholarship, our faculty excel in teaching, applying innovative methodologies to new frontiers of knowledge, and making our programs among the best in the world. 

The Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) degree develops students’ analytical skills for solving management and business problems, and builds a strong foundation in business management with required courses in economics, accounting, statistics, communication, leadership, marketing, operations research, and supply chain management. The finance major in the BSM degree provides rigorous academic financial knowledge coupled with advanced and applied analytical skills. We continually update our curriculum to meet the changing needs of the marketplace. For example, we have minors in Finance (that can be customized) as well as in FinTech.

For students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in the area, our distinctive Master of Finance degree prepares students to get ahead in the finance world. Through case studies, financial big data projects, real-life projects under top corporate executives, corporate presentations, field trips, and internships, the Master of Finance students acquire a rigorous foundation in finance while applying key concepts and theories in and out of class. Five tracks of specialization are offered—Corporate Finance, Corporate Financial Analytics, Risk Management Analytics, Financial Big Data Analytics, and FinTech. The Master of Finance program has been accepted into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. Four of the tracks are also STEM accredited. In addition, we are in the process of developing a FinTech degree.

In addition to the resources offered by Weatherhead School’s Career Management Office, the Master of Finance program has a dedicated executive director to provide students experiential learning, and to assist them in internships and placements, and help build relationships. There are regular corporate and city treks, practitioner seminars, academic seminars, and networking events.

Three finance certificates are also offered: Quantitative Finance Certificate Financial Management certificate, and FinTech certificate. These flexible certificates are designed for both current graduate students and working professionals. The certificates are “stackable” toward the Master of Finance degree.