The classroom was quiet that morning, the only sound the steady hum of pens scratching across notebooks. As I delivered my lecture on banking regulations, I couldn’t help but notice the expressions on my students’ faces. They were attentive, their heads bent over their notes, but something was missing—there was no spark, no engagement that went beyond the surface.
Banking, as a subject, is often perceived as dry and theoretical. While it’s undeniably essential, its practical applications can sometimes feel distant in a traditional classroom setting. That realization stayed with me long after the lecture ended. I began to wonder: How could I make my students truly connect with the subject? How could I help them experience the pulse of the banking world instead of just memorizing its rules?
Initially, I considered inviting a seasoned banking professional to share insights from the field. While valuable, it didn’t feel like enough. I wanted my students to experience banking, to step into the roles of bankers, customers, and regulators and face the challenges, decisions, and responsibilities of the industry firsthand. That’s when the idea of a Mock Banking Simulation came to life.
The Mock Banking Simulation was designed as a dynamic, hands-on experience spread over three days. Each day focused on a different aspect of banking, offering students a practical, immersive perspective on the operations they had previously studied in theory.
The first day revolved around customer engagement—a cornerstone of banking. Students acting as bankers were tasked with designing innovative marketing strategies to attract deposits. They had to showcase their bank’s benefits and auxiliary services to persuade potential customers.
Meanwhile, students in the role of customers evaluated various banks based on their interest rates, services, and transparency. This exercise helped them understand the importance of trust and value in customer relationships. Overseeing it all, a group of students played the role of RBI regulators, monitoring the activities to ensure compliance with guidelines and ethical practices.
The second day shifted focus to lending and treasury management, emphasizing the critical decision-making processes banks undergo. Acting as bankers, students followed fluctuating interest rates and RBI guidelines while disbursing loans and managing funds.
Customers took loans, made investments, and repaid debts within a compressed time frame where 10 minutes represented one year. This simulation highlighted the cyclical nature of loans and the significance of financial discipline. The RBI regulators adjusted key rates like CRR, SLR, and repo rates, ensuring compliance and maintaining economic stability.
The final day brought everything together through meticulous accounting and reporting. Bankers prepared financial statements reflecting their operations, from deposits to loans and investments. These records were then submitted to the RBI, whose task was to analyze them and ensure compliance with established guidelines.
This exercise underscored the importance of accurate record-keeping and financial transparency, skills essential for maintaining trust and regulatory adherence in real-world banking.
What truly amazed me throughout the simulation was observing how my students evolved and grew during the process. Initially hesitant and unsure, they quickly embraced their roles with enthusiasm and creativity. They debated, strategized, and collaborated, demonstrating a level of engagement I hadn’t seen in previous lectures.
By the end of the three days, I was convinced of the power of experiential learning. The students didn’t just learn about banking—they lived it. They experienced the challenges of managing customer expectations, adhering to regulations, and making strategic financial decisions under pressure.
What’s more, they performed exceptionally well, especially as bankers. Watching them take ownership of their roles, I realized that this approach had not only deepened their understanding but also instilled a sense of confidence and practical insight that no textbook could provide.
The Mock Banking Simulation proved to be a transformative experience, both for my students and for me as a teacher. It reaffirmed my belief that education should be a blend of theory and practice, a bridge between knowledge and application.
As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of the importance of adaptability in teaching. Sometimes, stepping out of the conventional framework and embracing innovation can unlock the true potential of students. Through this simulation, my students didn’t just study banking—they became a part of it, and that made all the difference.
– Dr. Usharani T
Assistant Professor, School of Commerce, KCLAS