Financial Institutions & Markets Overview

Financial Institutions and Markets

• Financial institutions play a crucial role in the economy by facilitating the flow of funds between savers and borrowers.

Financial Intermediaries

• Commercial banks are typically net suppliers of funds, providing loans to borrowers and accepting deposits from savers.

Commercial Banks

• The primary function of commercial banks is to accept deposits and make loans to households and businesses.

Money Market

• The money market is where transactions in short-term marketable securities take place.

Raising Funds

• A private placement is a means of obtaining funds where a company raises capital by selling securities directly to a small group of investors.

Investment Banks

• The primary role of investment banks is to assist corporations in raising capital by underwriting and selling securities.

Primary and Secondary Markets

• The primary market is where new securities are issued and sold to investors for the first time.
• The secondary market, on the other hand, is where existing securities are traded among investors.

Money Market Securities

• Securities commonly traded in the money market include commercial paper, treasury bills, and certificates of deposit.

Marketable Securities

• Investors generally consider marketable securities to be low-risk investments with a high degree of liquidity.

Preferred Stock

• Preferred stock is characterized by a higher claim on assets and dividends compared to common stock, but typically has no voting rights.

Broker Markets

• Trading takes place in broker markets through an organized exchange or over-the-counter market.

Eurobond Market

• The Eurobond market is distinguished from the foreign bond market in that it involves the issuance of bonds in a currency other than the issuer's domestic currency.

Explore the role of financial institutions as intermediaries that channel savings into loans or investments. Learn about how funds can be obtained through financial markets, financial institutions, or private placements. Understand the key suppliers and demanders of funds in the financial system.