Lecture 3 Flashcards
Financial intermediation = ?
The process by which savings are accumulated in depository institutions and then lent or invested
What are the 4 financial institutions categories?
Depository institutions
Contractual savings institutions
Securities firms
Finance firms
What do depository institutions do?
Accept deposits/savings from individuals
Then lend pooled deposits to businesses, governments and individuals
What are examples of depository instituons?
Commercial banks
thrift institutions (savings banks, savings & loan associations, credit unions)
What are commercial banks?
Depository institutions that accept deposits, issue check-writing accounts, and make loans to businesses and individuals
What are thrift institutions?
Noncommercial bank depository institutions that accumulate individual savings and primarily make consumer and mortgage loans
What do savings banks do?
accept the savings of institutions & lend pooled savings to individuals mainly in the form of mortgage loans
What do savings & loan associations (S&Ls) do?
S&Ls accept individual savings and lend pooled savings to individuals (primarily as mortgage loans) and businesses
What do credit unions do?
Cooperative nonprofit organisations that exist primarily to provide member depositors with consumer credit
Consumer credit = ?
allows consumers to borrow money or incur debt
What are contractual savings organisations?
Organisations collect premiums and contributions from participants and provide insurance against major financial losses & retirement
Use the pooled funds to purchase debt and equity securities of business firms
What are examples of contractual savings organisations?
Insurance companies
Pension funds
What are insurance companies?
Provide financial protection to individuals and businesses for life, property, liability and health uncertainties
What are pension funds?
Receive contributions from employees and/or their employers and invest the proceeds on behalf of the employees
What do securities firms do?
Accept and invest individual savings and also facilitate the transfer of existing securities between investors