SOLUTION: 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

MARKING CRITERIA

Component	Weight
Market Analysis Comprehensive analysis of two markets during crisis using Bloomberg data, including appropriate charts and interpretation of market behaviour.	40%
Central Bank & Regulatory Response Critical evaluation of policy actions, their implementation, effectiveness, and impact on market stability.	30%
Institutional Impact & Risk Management Analysis of institutional vulnerabilities, risk management practices, and lessons learned from the crisis.	20%
Professional Communication & Bloomberg Skills Presentation quality, Bloomberg proficiency, data visualization, report structure, and academic rigour.