BEEM062 Main Assignment Part A Brief
Your main assignment (80%) must be handed in by Friday 25th April 2025. It consists of two equally weighted parts: part A) A 1,600 word essay (choose either option 1 or 2); and part B) A technical task- based assignment (which will be given to you later in the term).
This part contributes 40% to your overall module grade and must be handed in with part B) by Friday 25th April. Word counts are approximate, with + or 一 10% leeway).
Option 1: Write a Business Report on a FinTech Firm of your Choice
Choose one FinTech firm and write a Business Report making future strategic recommendations. Your report should include the following sections
1. Preface (100 words)
• A very short summary of what the report is about, and what its main findings are
2. General Background (700 words)
• History of the firm, any current data you can find
• what areas is it disrupting (you may use the WEF framework or any other)
3. Recommendations (700 words)
• Some strategic direction for the future (opportunities and threats for the firm)
• Justification for your recommendations
4. Summary (100 words)
• A very short recap of your analysis and conclusions
Option 2: Explore potential disruptions to payments systems over the next 50 years
Write an essay exploring your perception of the important potential disruptions to payments systems. In class we have discussed examples (AI-powered autonomous payments; Quantum Resistance; CBDCs with Smart Contracts; Decentralised Stablecoins). Your essay should explain what these potential disruptions are, and what they might mean in practice.
For both option 1 and 2 you should also include a final section called (References’. Make sure your essay is as up-to-date as possible. You will be given credit for drawing on course materials.
You also may find it useful to access the FT and Economist (for free) via library resources, in addition to material covered on the module to ensure you are as up-to-date as possible on current trends. To do this go to https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/, then cIick on (Go to A-Z List, button on the right hand side: