Financial Institutions Overview
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What is a key advantage of depository financial institutions like banks?

  • They accept deposits and make loans to enhance liquidity. (correct)
  • They provide only savings accounts with low-interest rates.
  • They raise funds primarily through issuing bonds.
  • They limit their lending activities to personal loans only.
  • Which statement best describes adverse selection?

  • It describes the process of minimizing transaction costs through expertise.
  • It occurs when borrowers behave unethically after obtaining a loan.
  • It refers to a situation where both parties in a transaction have equal information.
  • It is the phenomenon where borrowers with higher risks are more likely to apply for loans. (correct)
  • What does agency theory analyze?

  • The legal implications of loan agreements.
  • The mechanisms of profit generation in banks.
  • The effectiveness of mutual funds in investing.
  • The impact of asymmetric information on behavior in transactions. (correct)
  • What distinguishes moral hazard from adverse selection?

    <p>Moral hazard involves changes in behavior after the transaction, while adverse selection involves better information before the transaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of deposit is associated with depository institutions that allows writing checks?

    <p>Checkable deposits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do savings and loan associations primarily obtain funds?

    <p>From savings deposits and time deposits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential outcome of asymmetric information in financial transactions?

    <p>Increased likelihood of moral hazard.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What mechanism do insurance companies utilize to address adverse selection?

    <p>Restricting availability and quantity of insurance products</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do insurance companies typically manage the unpredictability of losses from policies such as property and casualty?

    <p>By investing in bonds and short-term securities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes direct investment from indirect investment in assets like equities?

    <p>Direct investment is when individuals buy shares in specific companies directly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three types of investment companies mentioned?

    <p>Open-ended funds, close-ended funds, and unit trusts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What financial benefit do insurance companies derive from interest and dividend income?

    <p>To pay benefits to policyholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of off-balance-sheet activities for banks?

    <p>To avoid recognizing certain trading instruments on the balance sheet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do banks profit from loan sales in secondary loan participation?

    <p>By selling loans for more than their original value</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of financial activity can expose banks to risk despite not appearing on their balance sheets?

    <p>Guaranteeing debt securities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential downside of structured investment vehicles (SIVs) for banks?

    <p>They can potentially expose banks to significant risks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which activity is NOT mentioned as a source of fee income for banks?

    <p>Offering investment consulting services</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What risk management technique involves banks engaging in speculation?

    <p>Trading in financial futures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one major consequence if the issuer of a guaranteed security defaults?

    <p>The bank must pay the security’s owner</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which activity is primarily aimed at reducing risk for banks?

    <p>Trading foreign exchange</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What financial product can banks issue to back up commercial paper?

    <p>Standby letters of credit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why can trading activities be considered dangerous for financial institutions?

    <p>They can lead to rapid losses due to speculation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary strategy banks use to manage liquidity risk?

    <p>Borrowing to meet any shortfall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following actions may negatively impact a bank's customer relationships?

    <p>Refusing to renew a customer loan that has come due</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can banks increase their liquidity without affecting the asset side of their balance sheet?

    <p>Issuing large certificates of deposits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of risk is primarily concerned with the possibility of loans not being repaid?

    <p>Credit risk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential challenge of diversification for banks?

    <p>It exposes banks to specific economic downturns if focused too narrowly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do banks rely on for assessing the likelihood that a borrower will default?

    <p>Credit risk analysis based on credit history</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the financial crisis of 2007-2009, what was a major issue faced by banks related to their assets?

    <p>Inability to sell illiquid assets or obtain funding at reasonable costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does credit risk analysis help banks determine regarding loans?

    <p>The appropriate interest rate for the borrower</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could be a consequence of banks underestimating the risks of mortgage credit during the financial crisis?

    <p>Greater default rates leading to larger losses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In managing credit risk, why is diversification important for banks?

    <p>It helps spread risk across different types of loans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the initial reserve requirement for the First National Bank if it has $100 million in deposits?

    <p>$10 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which option is NOT a method for a bank to handle a deposit outflow when it lacks excess reserves?

    <p>Encouraging depositors to increase account balances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the First National Bank loans out all of its excess reserves, what situation does it create?

    <p>It faces a reserve shortfall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What cost does a bank incur when acquiring reserves through borrowing in the federal funds market?

    <p>Interest on borrowings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of liability management in banks?

    <p>Managing interest rates on deposits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the First National Bank's reserves are $20 million and it has $100 million in deposits, what is its excess reserve amount?

    <p>$10 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a bank sells securities after a deposit outflow?

    <p>It may incur brokerage and transaction costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During a deposit outflow scenario, what is a bank's required reserve based on $90 million after a withdrawal?

    <p>$9 million</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a primary concern for bank management?

    <p>Managing capital adequacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Financial Institutions

    • Financial institutions act as intermediaries, transferring funds from savers to investors.
    • They manage risk through diversification, reduce transaction costs, and provide payment mechanisms, thereby lowering information asymmetry.
    • Stocks are not the primary source of funding for businesses; indirect financing is more important.
    • Banks are the most essential source of external financing.

    Facts About Financial Structure

    • The United States relies most heavily on bank loans for external funding.
    • Germany, Japan, and Canada utilize nonbank loans and bonds more in comparison.
    • Stock financing is not the most vital funding method for businesses overall.
    • Issuing marketable securities isn't the primary funding source.

    Depository Financial Institutions (Banks)

    • Depositories accept deposits and make loans to individuals and organizations.
    • Types of depositories include commercial banks, savings associations, mutual savings banks, and credit unions.
    • Commercial banks commonly offer checkable deposits, savings deposits, and time deposits.

    Banking and the Management of Financial Institutions

    • Banks play a crucial role in directing funds to productive investments.
    • Banks provide loans for business, education, and mortgages.
    • Crucial aspects of commercial banking are loan management, balance sheet management, and income determinants.

    Banking Industry: Structure and Competition

    • Financial institutions have become increasingly similar, leading to greater competition.
    • Historically, there was more segmentation in markets.

    Non-Depository (Non-Bank) Financial Institutions

    • Non-depositories, unlike banks, don't accept deposits.
    • They manage lending by selling securities or offering insurance policies.
    • Examples of non-depositories include investment companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and pension funds.

    Investment Companies (Mutual Funds)

    • Investment companies pool investor funds to purchase a diversified portfolio.
    • Shares represent proportional interests in a portfolio managed by the company.
    • Investments are guided by the company's stated goals.

    Asset Management

    • Management focuses on maximizing return while minimizing risk.
    • Strategies include selecting borrowers with minimal default risk, high-yielding and low-risk securities, portfolio diversification, and liquidity management.

    Liability Management

    • Managing the sources of funds, including deposits, certificates of deposit, and overnight loan markets, is crucial.
    • Banks are increasingly independent of checkable deposits as sources of funds.

    Capital Adequacy Management

    • Capital acts as a cushion to prevent bank failure.
    • Banks consider potential loses in security, loan risk, and market downturns.
    • The equity multiplier and return on equity are critical considerations.
    • Trade-offs between capital and returns exist, influenced by economic conditions and confidence levels.

    Measuring Bank Performance

    • Bank income statements have unique components.
    • Measuring bank performance entails assessing operating income, expenses, and net operating income, which are distinct from comparable manufacturing firms.

    Liquidity Risk

    • Liquidity risk is the likelihood of a sudden, high demand for liquid funds.
    • Banks face liquidity risk on both asset and liability sides.
    • One way to manage this risk is to hold excess reserves; other methods include adjustments to assets or liabilities.

    Credit Risk

    • Credit risk is the chance that loans won't be repaid.
    • Diversification of loans is a technique for managing this risk.
    • Banks assess borrowers' credit histories to determine suitable interest rates.

    Interest-Rate Risk

    • Interest rate risk is created by the disparity between short-term liabilities and long-term assets.
    • Banks use tools like gap analysis to anticipate and mitigate interest-rate changes.
    • Mismatched maturity levels of assets and liabilities can reduce profits if interest rates rise.

    Trading Risk

    • Trading risk is the potential for declines in the value of traded instruments and assets.
    • Traders face moral hazard, potentially exceeding acceptable levels of risk.
    • The bank's risk manager sets and monitors limits on trading activities to mitigate this risk.

    Other Risks

    • Foreign exchange risk is the uncertainty from assets or liabilities denominated in different currencies.
    • Sovereign risk originates with the potential for foreign governments to restrict dollar-denominated payments or default on loans.
    • Operational risk is a result of events like computer system failures or building disasters.

    Summary of Risks and Management

    • Banks face several types of risk; risk management strategies are crucial.
    • Recommended Responses to such risks include maintaining cash reserves, diversifying assets, managing maturities, employing risk management tools, and using capital to cushion against potential losses.

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    Description

    This quiz covers key concepts of financial institutions, including their role as intermediaries in the economy. It highlights the importance of banks in external financing and contrasts various funding methods used globally. Understand the different types of depository institutions and their functions.

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