You are a Financial Analyst preparing a briefing on a significant financial market crisis. Select ONE crisis from: 2008 Global Financial Crisis European Debt Crisis (2010-2012) COVID-19 Market Crash (March 2020) 2023 Banking Crisis

7FNCE011W FINANCIAL MARKETS & INSTITUTIONS

WESTMINSTER BUSINESS SCHOOL

SCHOOL OF Accounting and Finance

Module title: FINANCIAL MARKETS & INSTITUTIONS

Module code: 7FNCE011W

Assessment title: Presentation

Assessment weighting: 50%

Assessment deadline: Before 13:00 on Monday 8^th Dec.  2025, via Blackboard

Submission method: Blackboard

Date and form of feedback: 29^th Dec. 2025 via Blackboard Site

Semester 1, 2025/2026

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This assessment evaluates your ability to:

• LO1: Critically analyse the behaviour of financial markets and institutions during periods of crisis
• LO2: Apply bond and equity valuation techniques to assess market disruptions
• LO4: Demonstrate professional Bloomberg terminal skills and data interpretation

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

You are a Financial Analyst preparing a briefing on a significant financial market crisis. Select ONE crisis from:

• 2008 Global Financial Crisis
• European Debt Crisis (2010-2012)
• COVID-19 Market Crash (March 2020)
• 2023 Banking Crisis (Silicon Valley Bank/Credit Suisse)

Your analysis should examine market behaviour, central bank responses, and institutional impacts during your selected crisis.

DELIVERABLES

1. Professional Presentation (10-15 slides)

• PowerPoint presentation suitable for senior management
• Include Bloomberg screenshots and key data visualizations
• Executive summary of findings

ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS

Your presentation and report must address the following THREE core areas:

SECTION 1: Market Analysis (40 marks)

Focus on TWO markets from:

• Bond Markets: Analyse yield curve movements, credit spreads, and flight-to-quality dynamics
• Equity Markets: Examine index performance, volatility patterns (VIX), and sector impacts
• Foreign Exchange Markets: Assess currency movements and safe-haven flows

Required Bloomberg Analysis:

• Use relevant Bloomberg functions (e.g., GC for yield curves, CSDR for spreads, WEI for equity indices)
• Include 3-4 key charts with Bloomberg data
• Compare pre-crisis vs. crisis period behaviour

SECTION 2: Central Bank & Regulatory Response (30 marks)

Evaluate policy actions taken:

• Interest rate changes and forward guidance
• Quantitative easing or emergency lending programs
• Key regulatory interventions

Assess effectiveness:

• Impact on market stability and liquidity
• Success in achieving policy objectives
• Unintended consequences or limitations

SECTION 3: Institutional Impact & Risk Management (20 marks)

Examine ONE of the following:

• Banking Sector: Capital adequacy, liquidity stress, credit losses
• Investment Institutions: Portfolio impacts, redemptions, risk adjustments
• Insurance/Pension Funds: Asset-liability management, solvency concerns

Risk Management Lessons:

• Key vulnerabilities exposed
• Risk management failures or successes
• Post-crisis reforms implemented

SECTION 4: Professional Communication & Bloomberg Skills (10 marks)

• Quality and clarity of presentation delivery
• Effective use of Bloomberg terminal and data visualization
• Professional report structure and academic referencing
• Critical analysis and evidence-based conclusions

SUGGESTED PRESENTATION STRUCTURE (10-15 slides)

1. Slide 1: Title and Crisis Overview
2. Slides 2-3: Crisis Timeline and Key Events
3. Slides 4-7: Market Analysis (2 markets, with Bloomberg data)
4. Slides 8-10: Central Bank and Regulatory Response
5. Slides 11-13: Institutional Impact and Risk Lessons
6. Slide 14: Key Findings and Conclusions
7. Slide 15: References (optional)

Note: Each slide should contain concise bullet points, not paragraphs. Use charts and Bloomberg screenshots to illustrate key points. Aim for 1 minute per slide.

MARKING CRITERIA