Summary
A modern BCom in Banking and Finance teaches how money behaves when technology and trust collide. Crypto shows the cost of weak governance: FTX raised more than $1.8 billion from equity investors before U.S. regulators alleged fraud. Central bank digital currencies show that new money needs willing users: the digital rupee (e₹) in circulation fell to ₹771.7 crore by March 2026. Bank crises show how fast confidence can vanish: depositors pulled more than $40 billion from Silicon Valley Bank in one day. The degree links these events to regulation, risk and data analytics, and to careers in banking, markets and fintech.
Introduction
Banking was long taught as a calm subject of ledgers, loans and branch routines. Recent events have changed that picture. A crypto exchange that promoted itself as safe saw its founder charged with fraud. Central banks, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), began testing money in digital form. A large American bank failed after a deposit run of less than 24 hours. These stories share three questions: who carries the risk, who stands behind the money, and who supervises the institution. A BCom in Banking and Finance trains students to answer them with evidence rather than opinion.
Crypto: The First Lesson in a BCom in Banking and Finance
In its concept note on CBDCs, the RBI states that private cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value and are geared to bypass regulated intermediaries. The Union Budget 2022-23 speech announced a 30 per cent tax on income from transferring virtual digital assets, plus a 1 per cent TDS above a threshold. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that FTX raised more than $1.8 billion from equity investors while customer funds were secretly diverted to a hedge fund owned by its founder.
CBDCs: Central Bank Money in Digital Form
The RBI defines a central bank digital currency (CBDC) as legal tender issued in digital form; it is a liability of the RBI, not of a commercial bank. A Bank for International Settlements survey found that 91 per cent of 93 central banks were exploring a CBDC, and over one in three had accelerated this work because of stablecoins and other cryptoassets. Use is another matter. The RBI Annual Report 2025-26 shows e₹ in circulation falling to ₹771.7 crore in March 2026 from ₹1,016.5 crore a year earlier, while UPI handled nearly 86 per cent of retail payment transactions.
Crypto, e₹ and Bank Deposits Compared
| Feature | Cryptocurrency | e₹ | Bank deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Private networks or firms | RBI | Commercial bank |
| Legal tender | No | Yes | No |
| Main risk | Price swings and fraud | Low adoption | Bank credit and liquidity risk |
Case Study: Yes Bank (2020) and Silicon Valley Bank (2023)
Yes Bank shows a slow-building crisis. On March 5, 2020, the RBI cited failed capital raising, loan-loss risks, downgrades, deposit outflows and serious governance issues, and a moratorium followed. A Yale Program on Financial Stability case study records a ₹50,000 withdrawal cap, a 13-day moratorium, no depositor losses, and deposits recovering from ₹1.1 trillion in March 2020 to ₹2.2 trillion by June 2023.
Silicon Valley Bank shows a fast one. Federal Reserve testimony states that it mismanaged interest rate and liquidity risk; depositors withdrew more than $40 billion on March 9, 2023, and the bank failed the next day. The RBI concept note warns that a CBDC may hypothetically produce faster bank runs in a crisis.
Two Bank Crises Compared
| Aspect | Yes Bank (2020) | Silicon Valley Bank (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Weakness | Capital and governance | Interest rate and liquidity risk |
| Speed | Months of decline | Run in under 24 hours |
| Outcome | No depositor losses | All deposits guaranteed; equity holders lost their investment |
What a Modern BCom in Banking and Finance Actually Teaches
The three themes form the core syllabus of a BCom in Banking and Finance. Bank runs, for instance, test the capital, liquidity and supervision rules that Basel III strengthened after the 2007-09 financial crisis.
From Headline to Syllabus
| Event | Key fact | What students learn |
|---|---|---|
| FTX (2022) | Over $1.8 billion raised; funds diverted (SEC allegation) | Governance and financial regulation |
| e₹ (from 2022-23) | ₹771.7 crore in circulation, March 2026 | Monetary economics and payment systems |
| Yes Bank (2020) | ₹50,000 withdrawal cap for 13 days | Credit appraisal and bank resolution |
| Silicon Valley Bank (2023) | Over $40 billion withdrawn in one day | Liquidity and interest rate risk |
Undergraduate Programmes at Jindal School of Banking & Finance
Among Banking and Finance courses in India, the Jindal School of Banking & Finance (JSBF) at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), Sonipat, offers four campus-based undergraduate programmes and reports over 80 international university partnerships. The B.Com. (Hons.) in Partnership with ACCA applies blockchain and data analytics to banking and finance through its Fintech & Analytics pathway and trains students in R, Python, Tableau and MS Excel. The B.Com. (Hons.) Capital Markets teaches blockchain and cryptocurrency in the second year and uses the NSMART trading simulator.
JSBF Undergraduate Programmes
| Programme | Duration | Key features | Tuition (per annum) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com. (Hons.) in Partnership with ACCA | 4 years | 4 pathways; 100+ electives; EY, KPMG, NISM, NSE Academy and ACCA certifications | ₹5,25,000 |
| B.Com. (Hons.) Capital Markets | 4 years | Offered with NSE Academy; CFA Institute affiliation; NISM and NCFM certificates | ₹5,25,000 |
| B.Com. (Hons.) Finance & Entrepreneurship | 4 years | Digital financial platforms, venture capital, Harvard Business Publishing cases | ₹5,25,000 |
| Global B.Com. | 2 + 1 years (+1.5-year MBA option) | With Deakin University, Australia; two undergraduate degrees | Charged in stages |
Admission Process, Eligibility and Fees
Applicants need Class XII or equivalent in any stream from a board recognised by the Association of Indian Universities. Selection, set out on each programme page, has three rounds.
Admission at a Glance
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | Class X and XII scores, supplementary questions and documents |
| Round 2 | SAT 1100+, ACT 27+, UGAT or CUET 60+ percentile, or JSAT 50+ per cent |
| JSAT | 120 questions in 120 minutes; no negative marking |
| Round 3 | Online faculty interview |
| Seat booking | Refundable fee of ₹1,25,000 |
Accommodation and allied services cost extra, and fees may rise by up to 10 per cent a year. Merit-cum-means scholarships cover tuition only, and education loans are available. There is no management, donation or NRI quota. Queries: admissions@jgu.edu.in.
Career Scope After a BCom in Banking and Finance
JSBF lists the routes below, supported by internships in each four-year programme and NSE-sponsored live projects for Capital Markets students.
Career Paths
| Career area (listed by JSBF) | Lesson applied |
|---|---|
| Trading and risk management | Market, interest rate and liquidity risk |
| Private and investment banking; BFSI | Credit appraisal and depositor trust |
| Fintech, venture capital and private equity | Digital payment and crypto business models |
| Corporate law, data governance and consultancy | Regulation and investor protection |
| MBA, M.Sc. Finance, CFA, CFP, FRM, CA, CS | Specialist roles in markets and regulation |
Conclusion
Crypto, CBDCs and crisis test the same principles: trust, risk and regulation. The FTX case concerns custody of client money, the e₹ concerns public adoption, and the two bank crises concern confidence. A BCom in Banking and Finance that teaches these cases through law, data and economics prepares graduates for a changing financial system. Applications for JSBF undergraduate programmes are open on the JSBF admissions page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BCom in Banking and Finance?
It is an undergraduate commerce degree that focuses on banks, financial markets, accounting, economics, regulation and risk. At JSBF, the four-year B.Com. (Hons.) in Partnership with ACCA requires 180 credits, including 8 credits from industry internships and 8 credits from research and co-curricular work.
Does a BCom in Banking and Finance cover cryptocurrency and blockchain?
Coverage varies by university. At JSBF, the B.Com. (Hons.) Capital Markets includes a second-year course in blockchain and cryptocurrency, and the Fintech & Analytics pathway of the B.Com. (Hons.) in partnership with ACCA applies blockchain and data analytics to finance.
What is the difference between cryptocurrency and a CBDC?
The RBI defines a CBDC as a legal tender issued by a central bank in digital form, and it is a liability of the central bank. Cryptocurrencies are private tokens that, in the RBI view, have no intrinsic value. In India, income from transferring virtual digital assets is taxed at 30 per cent.
How widely is the digital rupee used in India?
The RBI Annual Report 2025-26 shows e₹ in circulation of ₹771.7 crore on March 31, 2026, down from ₹1,016.5 crore a year earlier. In the same year, UPI handled nearly 86 per cent of retail payment transactions.
What are the eligibility criteria for JSBF undergraduate programmes?
Applicants need Class XII or an equivalent qualification in any stream from a board recognised by the Association of Indian Universities, such as CBSE, ISC, a State Board, NIOS, CAIE or IB. They also need a qualifying entrance score (SAT 1100, ACT 27, UGAT or CUET 60 percentile, or JSAT 50 per cent) and must clear an online faculty interview, as listed on each programme page.
Can students from the science or humanities streams apply?
Yes. JSBF accepts Class XII or equivalent qualifications in any stream from recognised Indian and international boards.
What is the JSAT?
The Jindal Scholastic Aptitude Test is an AI-proctored online test taken from home and conducted through Pearson VUE. It has 120 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes across English verbal ability, logical reasoning and quantitative skills, with no negative marking.
What does the JSBF faculty interview assess?
According to the programme pages, faculty members assess communication skills, confidence, curiosity, clarity of expression, nuanced thinking and subject knowledge. Shortlisted candidates receive a provisional offer by email and confirm their seat with a refundable registration fee of ₹1,25,000.
What careers can follow a BCom in Banking and Finance?
JSBF lists trading and risk management, insurance, wealth management, private and investment banking, private equity, venture capital, financial technology, corporate law and data governance, consultancy and the wider BFSI sector. Graduates may also pursue an MBA, M.Sc. Finance, CFA, CFP, FRM, CA or CS.
Are scholarships and education loans available at JSBF?
JSBF offers merit-cum-means scholarships that cover tuition fees only. They are limited by budget and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and a student cannot hold more than one scholarship or fee concession. JGU also lists education-loan tie-ups with lenders including AVANSE, Axis Bank and Credila.
