In this course, learners will develop a broad and practical understanding of the banking and financial services industry – from regulatory frameworks and industry structure through to financial analysis, accounting, AI integration, and digital transformation. Learners will explore the US and UK banking landscapes, regulatory architecture, capital adequacy, cybersecurity, and the impact of AI and emerging technologies on the sector. They will build core finance and accounting skills including budgeting, financial statement analysis, cost control, and key accounting principles, and apply design thinking, systems thinking, and problem-solving frameworks to financial contexts. Learners will leverage generative AI tools and prompt engineering techniques across real-world finance scenarios including investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, risk and compliance, and venture capital screening, while critically evaluating AI ethics, bias, and governance. The course also covers digital transformation in financial services, blockchain fundamentals, and financial project and operations management including budgeting, cost estimation, FinOps, and programme financial frameworks.