Describe a defined-benefit pension plan. Describe a defined-contribution plan and explain how it differs from a defined-benefit plan. (LO1)

When the COVID-19 epidemic struck unexpectedly at the end of 2019, company closures and instructions to stay at home severely disrupted the economy. Write a short essay outlining how COVID-19 has affected the growth and use of fintech. Do you think this terrible episode had a positive effect on the growth and use of fintech, or did it generate more problems than fintech could solve?

Can cryptocurrencies become a mainstream asset class similar to stocks and bonds? What characteristics, in your opinion, would draw investors to cryptocurrencies as an asset class? What aspects of them would be unattractive? (LO3)

The immutability of blockchain technology, which makes it very difficult to tamper with data stored on the network, is one of its primary benefits. In light of the various issues that people and companies encounter when it comes to forging and manipulating contracts and other business papers, how do you anticipate blockchain technology developing going forward? Provide a few instances of prospective applications for blockchain technology. (LO2)

Human occupations have been lost as a result of technological advancements throughout history. Do you believe that the advancements in fintech will have a comparable effect on employment, leading to the replacement of human jobs with intelligent robots and software? (LO1, LO4)

Adoption of fintech has occasionally resulted in cheaper financial service costs and more accessible financial goods and services. On the other hand, others could counter that adopting fintech comes with a cost because it necessitates owning cutting-edge technology that not everyone can afford. Do you think the financial system will be more inclusive as a result of fintech adoption, or will some marginalized groups still not be able to access those services? (LO1, LO4)

New financial technologies are widely used in regulated sectors like finance and banking. Do you think that regulatory scrutiny hinders financial innovation and could even impede its progress, or do you think regulations shouldn’t have an impact on the advancement of fintech? (LO5)

Discuss some of the difficulties regulators face when attempting to provide regulatory oversight over fintech. (LO5)

What are some of the cybersecurity issues facing fintech companies? (LO5)

Describe the ways that insurance firms are utilizing innovative technologies to provide their services. (LO4)

What are the benefits of peer-to-peer lending over bank lending, and how does it operate? (LO4)

Explain how robo-advisers differ from their human counterparts. (LO4)

Describe some of the financial technologies that banks have incorporated into their daily operations. (LO4)