Money market Flashcards
Indian financial systems
The financial system in India comprises of financial institutions, financial markets, financial instruments and financial services
Meaning of financial market
Financial market refers to a market where sale and purchase of financial assets such as bonds, stocks, derivatives, government
securities, foreign currency etc. is undertaken.
Financial markets operates through
- Banks
- Non banking financial institutions
- Brokers
- Mutual funds
- discount houses
Meaning of money market
- It is a market for lending and borrowing of short term funds
- It is market for near money i.e short term instruments such as government securities, trade bills, promissory notes, etc.
- Such instruments are highly liquid, less risky and easily marketable with a maturity period of one year or less
Structure of money market
The money market in India is dichotomous by nature
It includes both, the organized sector and the unorganized sector
Organized sector
- RBI
- Commercial banks
- Co-operative banks
- Development financial institutions
- Discount and finance house of india
Definition of central bank
According to Prof. W.A Shaw, Central bank is a bank which control credit
When was RBI nationalized
1st Jan 1949
Functions of RBI
1.Custodian of Foreign Exchange reserves
2.Controller of credit
3.Collection and Publication of data
4.Banker’s bank
5.Bank to the government
6.Issue of currency notes
7.Promotional and developmental functions
8.Other functions
Custodian of foreign exchange reserves
RBI acts as a custodian of the country’s foreign exchange reserves. It has to maintain the official rate of exchange of rupee as well as ensure its stability. RBI also undertakes to buy and sell the currencies of all the members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Controller of credit
As a supreme banking authority of the country, RBI has the power to influence the volume of credit created by commercial banks. It also monitors the purpose or use of credit. Quantitative methods such as bank rate, open market operations, variable reserve ratios such as Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), Statutory Liquid Ratio (SLR) etc. control the volume of credit created. Qualitative methods such as fixing margin requirements, credit rationing, moral suasion etc. regulate the purpose or use of credit.
Collection and publication of data
RBI collects and compiles statistical information related to banking and other financial sectors of the economy
Banker to the government
RBI acts as a banker, agent and advisor to the Government. It transacts the business of both, the Central and State Governments. It accepts money as well as makes payments on behalf these Governments. It also undertakes the management of public debt. It advises the Government on a wide range of economic issues.
Banker’s Bank
RBI exercises statutory control over the commercial banks. All scheduled banks are compulsorily required to maintain a certain minimum of cash reserves with the RBI against their demand and time liabilities. RBI provides financial assistance to banks in the form of discounting of eligible bills. Loans and advances are also provided against approved securities.
Issue of currency notes
RBI has the sole right to issue currency notes of all denominations, except one rupee note and coins. As per the ‘Minimum Reserve System’ of 1957, RBI is required to maintain minimum gold and foreign exchange reserves of Rs 200 crores, out of which at least ` 115 crores should be in gold and the remaining ` 85 crores should be in terms of foreign currency and government securities.
Promotional and developmental functions
RBI also performs certain promotional and developmental functions such as extending banking services to semiurban and rural areas, providing security to depositors, development of specialized institutions for agricultural credit, industrial finance etc.
Other functions
RBI acts as a clearing house for settling the accounts between its member banks. As a lender of last resort, it also provides liquidity to banks experiencing financial difficulty.