Financial Information Systems

BSc Course | University of Twente | Bern Business School —

Course Overview

This course introduces information systems and technology in the financial services industry. It covers the digital infrastructure that underpins modern banking, trading, payments, and risk management, with emphasis on how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming the sector.

Information Systems for the Financial Services Industry, University of Twente, Netherlands, Spring 2025. Coordinator. Developed curriculum.

Information Systems for the Financial Services Industry, University of Twente, Netherlands, Spring 2022–2024. Module: AI in Finance.

Topics Covered

Core Financial IT Infrastructure

  • Core Banking Systems – Architecture, data models, transaction processing
  • Data Architecture – Data warehousing, lakes, and governance in financial institutions
  • Cloud Computing – Migration strategies, regulatory constraints, hybrid architectures

Payment and Settlement Systems

  • SWIFT and SEPA – International messaging and European payment standards
  • Real-Time Payments – Instant settlement infrastructure
  • Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) – Design considerations and pilot programs

Trading and Market Systems

  • Order Management Systems (OMS) – Trade lifecycle and execution platforms
  • Market Data Infrastructure – Real-time feeds, historical data management
  • Algorithmic Trading Platforms – Low-latency architecture and connectivity

Risk and Compliance Technology

  • Market Risk Systems – Value-at-Risk, stress testing, scenario analysis
  • Credit Risk Models – PD/LGD/EAD estimation and monitoring
  • Regulatory Technology (RegTech) – Automated compliance, KYC/AML, reporting
  • Basel III/IV Implementation – Capital requirements and reporting frameworks

Emerging Technologies in Finance

  • Artificial Intelligence – ML models for credit scoring, fraud detection, NLP applications
  • Blockchain and DLT – Smart contracts, tokenization, decentralized finance
  • Open Banking – PSD2, APIs, and platform-based financial services
  • Cybersecurity – Threat landscape, security architecture, incident response

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the digital infrastructure of modern financial institutions
  • Analyze technology decisions and their business impact in banking and finance
  • Evaluate FinTech innovations and their potential for disruption
  • Apply information systems concepts to financial services challenges
  • Assess regulatory technology requirements and compliance frameworks

Assessment

  • Case study analysis (40%)
  • Group project (30%)
  • Final examination (30%)

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of finance and banking
  • Introductory IT/computer science