Introduction to Banking

How banks make money

This introductory Coursera course surveys the banking industry and the different types of financial institutions. It explains how each serves its own customer group, and shows how to read a bank's balance sheet and income statement to see where its return comes from.

Who it suits

Newcomers to finance, students considering a banking career, and customers who want to understand their own bank will all find the material accessible. The course is pitched at beginners who want a practical grounding in how the sector works.

Key takeaways

• Products and services differ across financial institution types.
• Balance sheet and income statement analysis reveals where bank profit comes from.
• Career paths across the different areas of banking are introduced at the end.

The skills list points to lending, underwriting and financial analysis, so the course doubles as a primer for credit-focused roles.