Additional Part Flashcards
What are depository institutions?
Financial institutions that obtain funds mainly through deposits from the public and use them to make loans to other customers.
Name an example of a depository institution that offers banking services and products to the general public, including investing clients’ money and providing financial consultations.
Commercial banks
Name two examples of commercial banks in Egypt.
The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and the Commercial International Bank (CIB)
What distinguishes Islamic banks from other banks?
Islamic banks operate within the framework of Islamic Sharia law and impose a variable interest rate instead of a fixed interest rate. They also use different names for banking transactions, such as “Murabaha” and “Modaraba.”
Provide two examples of Islamic banks in Egypt.
Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt and Al Baraka Bank
What are savings and loan associations?
Savings and loan associations (VSLAS) are financial organizations that enable low-income and marginalized individuals, particularly women in rural communities, to participate in savings and lending groups and invest in income-generating activities.
Why have credit unions not been widely introduced or used in Egypt?
Credit unions have not been widely introduced or used in Egypt due to cultural factors discouraging savings, a general lack of capital, and individuals opting for commercial banks with higher interest rates.
What is the role of central banks?
Central banks are responsible for implementing monetary policy, managing a country’s currency, and controlling the money supply. They aim to achieve economic balance and are not profit-oriented like commercial or investment banks. Central banks also decide the interest rates on loans and deposits and have the authority to print money.
What are contractual savings institutions?
Financial intermediaries that acquire funds on a contractual basis at periodic intervals. They primarily invest in long-term securities such as corporate bonds, stocks, and mortgages.
Name one type of contractual savings institution that offers direct insurance or reinsurance services, providing financial protection from possible future hazards.
Life Insurance Companies
Provide two examples of life insurance companies in Egypt.
Delta Insurance and Metalife Aleko Insurance
What type of insurance product plays a role in safeguarding property and liabilities to third parties, as well as compensating for damages caused by insured risks such as theft, fire, and accidents?
Fire and Casualty Insurance
Name one company that offers fire and casualty insurance in Egypt.
Al Mashreq Insurance or AXA Egypt
What is a pension fund?
A pension fund is a plan, fund, or scheme that provides retirement income, typically set up by employers, unions, or other organizations to provide retirement benefits to their employees or members.
How do pension funds generate returns?
Pension funds pool monetary contributions and invest them into the capital markets, such as stock and bond markets, to generate profits and returns.
Provide an example of a pension fund in Egypt.
Azimut Egypt or Allianz
What are finance companies? Provide examples of different types of finance companies in Egypt.
Finance companies are intermediaries that operate in various categories such as consumer finance, financial leasing, financial factoring, and real estate finance. Examples in Egypt include ValU (consumer finance), BM Lease (financial leasing), EFG HERMES Corp Solutions (financial factoring), and Al Ahly Mortgage Finance (real estate finance).
What is the main function of mutual funds? Differentiate between equity funds, Islamic equity funds, and fixed income funds, and provide examples of mutual funds in Egypt.
Mutual funds acquire funds by selling shares to individuals and invest the proceeds in diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds. Equity funds focus on stocks, Islamic equity funds adhere to Sharia principles, and fixed income funds invest in bonds. Examples of mutual funds in Egypt include Banque du Caire Mutual Fund (equity fund), Al Baraka Bank Islamic Fund (Islamic equity fund), and Bank of Alexandria Money Market Fund No. 3 (fixed income fund).
What are hedge funds, and how do they differ from mutual funds?
Hedge funds are limited partnerships of private investors with significant capital. They aim to earn above-average investment returns using various techniques. Hedge funds are less regulated than mutual funds and typically cater to wealthy individuals. Shares in hedge funds may have lock-in periods before they can be redeemed.
What is the role of investment banks, and provide examples of investment banks in Egypt.
Investment banks specialize in underwriting and consulting for corporations seeking to raise capital. They act as intermediaries in the primary market and provide financial advice to large institutions. Examples of investment banks in Egypt include the National Investment Bank and the Arab Investment Bank.
What are money market mutual funds, and why are they designed to meet the needs of small investors? Give examples of money market mutual funds in Egypt.
Money market mutual funds invest in high-quality, short-term debt instruments and cash equivalents. They offer features suited to the needs of small investors and provide high liquidity. Examples of money market mutual funds in Egypt include QNB Al Ahli Money Market Fund - Themar, AIB Money Market Fund, Ahli United Bank Money Market Fund – Tharwa, and HSBC Money Market Fund.