Economics of Money and Banking

His 'money view' follows the actual flow of payments and the balance sheets of banks and dealers, and from that vantage point things that usually seem mysterious, like why credit suddenly dries up or why crises cascade, begin to make sense. It rewards slow, careful attention, and people who stay with it often say it permanently changed how they read the news.

This is about understanding, not tactics. If you came for personal-finance tips, stock picks or a light overview, it will frustrate you.

It's free to audit on Coursera, with a paid certificate you almost certainly don't need for the value here. The framework is timeless; the mechanics of money don't shift with the news cycle (as of 2026).

Economics of Money and Banking is unlike most finance courses. Columbia's Perry Mehrling teaches a 'money view' of the system — following the flow of payments, credit, and dealer balance sheets — that explains how banking really works and why financial crises unfold the way they do. It rewards careful attention and gives you a lens you won't get from standard textbooks.