The financial world seems to be getting more and more complex. As a customer, it can sometimes feel like a jungle. With banks competing for your business and new players entering the market with their own services, the range of choices can seem endless.

This book takes you on a journey through the financial jungle. It shows you how to navigate the world of banks: institutions that provide credit but also pursue returns in the financial markets through a wide range of products. By the end of the journey, you will not only understand how banks and their products work, but will also be aware of the risks involved.

The authors are all affiliated with KU Leuven, where they teach finance courses in both the Dutch- and English-language bachelor’s and master’s programs. Their knowledge of banks and financial products has been brought together in this book.