Financial Calculus and Bank simulators: from theory to practice

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the importance of financial language in everyday life of citizens dealing with financial institutions in matters of personal and practical interest. Based on this, the general objective of the present work is the demonstration of how the theoretical concepts of financial calculation are related to the information presented in the simulators available on the internet pages of financial products offered by different banks. In this work, we are taking an explanatory component (we intend to describe a situation and augment the usable knowledge for future situations), an evaluative component (we intend to analyze a situation) and a development component (we intend to use the knowledge about a situation to see if the same is implemented in accordance with the expectations of the various partners involved). Stimulated by the ideas presented, some research issues have emerged as relevant. So we seek to understand: if one can demystify the term "financial calculation" and transpose to everyday life from the manuals, expanding from tools that help to solve specific problems in the relationship between financial institutions and their customers; and whether the amount of public information provided by different financial institutions is clear in how it presents itself to the consumer. As case studies analyzed, we cover the following financial products: new family savings plan, retirement savings, guaranteed capital and supplementary savings plan, involving three banks – Banco Espírito Santo (BES), Portuguese Bank Investments (BPI) and Montepio.With the current work we believe possible to identify three fundamental contributions: the justification of the enormous use of financial calculation concepts in recurrent situations in our society; the possibility of implementing the basics of financial calculation from manuals to everyday life providing the same tools to help solving mundane problems; and the evidence that, despite the fact that some financial information available is not as accurate as the theoretical concepts underlying the financial calculation, we could find examples of clear public information available to the consumer.