Purdue University Northwest

What you'll study

Coursework emphasizes the mechanics and management of banking rather than broad theoretical finance. Typical subject areas include:

• Structure and functions of depository institutions and nonbank financial intermediaries
• Retail and commercial lending, credit analysis, and loan administration
• Payments systems, treasury services, and deposit products
• Bank risk management, liquidity, and capital considerations
• Bank regulation, compliance, and ethical considerations in financial intermediation

Entry requirements

The Banking minor is an undergraduate-level program intended to be taken alongside a primary degree. Students normally must be admitted to the university and enrolled in an undergraduate program; departments commonly expect completion of foundational business courses (for example, introductory accounting and finance) or permission from the business school. Check your academic adviser or the college of business for specific prerequisite and credit-hour placement rules.

Career prospects

Completing a banking minor strengthens practical readiness for roles in the financial services sector and for positions that require working with banks. Typical entry-level roles include bank teller, credit analyst, loan officer assistant, operations or payments analyst, and customer relationship positions at commercial or community banks. The minor also benefits students pursuing internships in banking, corporate treasury, or financial services sales, and provides a useful credential for graduate study in finance or MBA programs.

Scholarships & funding angle

Students pursuing a banking minor should explore college- and university-level scholarships for business majors, merit-based awards, and internship stipends from banks and financial institutions. Career centers and the business school often list industry-sponsored scholarships, summer internship funding, and networking opportunities; consult those offices early to identify application timelines and eligibility criteria.