My OpenLearn Profile
- Personalise your OpenLearn profile
- Save your favourite content
- Get recognition for your learning
- Week 1
- Introduction
- 1.1 The origins of banking
- 1.2 The London Stock Exchange
- 1.2.1 The growth of the Stock Exchange
- 1.2.2 The rise of the investment funds
- 1.2.3 The liberalisation of the financial services
- 1.2.4 Big Bang and the rise of the investment banks
- 1.2.5 Technological change
- 1.2.6 The impact of the growth of home ownership
- 1.2.7 The impact of an ageing and prosperous population
- 1.3 Regulation and regulatory failures pre-FSA
- 1.4 Week 1 quiz
- 1.5 Week 1 round-up
- Current section: References
- Acknowledgements
Course rewards
Free statement of participation on completion of these courses.
Create your free OpenLearn profile
Anyone can learn for free on OpenLearn, but signing-up will give you access to your personal learning profile and record of achievements that you earn while you study.

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.
Managing my financial journey
Take your learning further371
Making the decision to study can be a big step, which is why you'll want a trusted University. The Open University has 50 years’ experience delivering flexible learning and 170,000 students are studying with us right now. Take a look at all Open University courses372.
If you are new to university level study, we offer two introductory routes to our qualifications. Find out Where to take your learning next?373 You could either choose to start with an Access courses374or an open box module, which allows you to count your previous learning towards an Open University qualification.
Not ready for University study then browse over 1000 free courses on OpenLearn375 and sign up to our newsletter376 to hear about new free courses as they are released.
Every year, thousands of students decide to study with The Open University. With over 120 qualifications, we’ve got the right course for you.
OpenLearn Search website
OpenLearn Links
Footer Menu
Our partners
OpenLearn works with other organisations by providing free courses and resources that support our mission of opening up educational opportunities to more people in more places.


©1999-2020. All rights reserved. The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its secondary activity of credit broking.