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Course: Financial Literacy > Unit 7
Lesson 1: Introduction to saving and investing- Real world: The Case of the Early Bird
- Saving and investing
- Why save and invest
- How financial institutions and markets facilitate saving and investing
- The types and functions of financial institutions and markets
- Financial institutions and markets, their roles and services
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The types and functions of financial institutions and markets
Financial institutions are organizations like banks, credit unions, and investment companies that help people manage and grow their money. Financial markets are places where people can buy and sell things like stocks, bonds, and commodities, in order to make investments and trade with each other.
What are financial institutions?
In our world of money and finance, there are special organizations that help us save, invest, and manage our money. These organizations are called financial institutions. They include banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and brokerage firms. Financial institutions play a big role in our lives, helping us do things like save for college, buy a car, or even start a business.
What are financial markets?
Imagine you want to buy or sell things like stocks, bonds, or other financial assets. To do this, you need a place where buyers and sellers can come together to trade these assets. That place is called a financial market. There are different types of financial markets, such as stock markets, bond markets, and money markets. These markets are essential for the smooth functioning of our economy and play a key role in helping businesses and governments raise money.
Why do we need financial institutions and markets?
Financial institutions, like banks and credit unions, can be really helpful. They help you manage your money, build your credit, and get more money over time. Here are some ways they can benefit you:
Imagine two friends, Alex and Jamie. They both work hard and make the same amount of money. But there's a big difference in how they handle their money. Alex saves money under the mattress, has no bank account, and cashes their paycheck at a local check-cashing place. Jamie, on the other hand, has a bank account and uses financial institutions and markets for his own benefit.
Everyday needs
Alex always carries cash because they don't have a bank account. This can be risky and inconvenient. When they need to pay a bill, Alex has to go to the post office or the store to pay in person. Jamie, however, has a bank account, which makes it easy to pay bills online or with a debit card. Plus, if Jamie ever loses his wallet, he can contact the bank to cancel the card and protect his money.
Saving money
Since Alex keeps all their money under the mattress, they don't earn any interest on their savings. This means that if Alex saves for a year, it will still be worth only . Jamie, however, has a savings account at a bank. This account earns interest, so if Jamie saves for a year, he might earn in interest, making the total .
Investing
Both Alex and Jamie want to grow their money, but they have very different approaches. Alex doesn't know much about investing, so they stick to saving money under the mattress. Jamie, on the other hand, knows that investing can help him build wealth faster. Jamie uses financial institutions and markets to invest in stocks or bonds, which can potentially provide higher returns than just saving money in a bank account.
Safety and protection
Alex's method of keeping money under the mattress is not only outdated, but it's also risky. If there's a fire or a burglary, Alex could lose all their savings. Jamie's money, on the other hand, is protected by the bank's security measures and federal insurance. Even if the bank gets robbed or if the bank goes out of business, Jamie's money is insured up to by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Access to loans
In the future, both Alex and Jamie might need to borrow money, maybe for college or to buy a car. Alex will have trouble getting a loan because they don't have a bank account or a credit history. Jamie, however, has a relationship with a bank and has built a credit history by using a credit card responsibly. This makes it easier for Jamie to get a loan with a good interest rate.
As you can see, financial institutions and markets play a crucial role in our lives and, if you take advantage of them, you can make your money work for you.
How do we use financial institutions and markets?
Let's look at some examples of financial institutions and markets and how they serve different saving and investing needs.
Banks
Banks are a popular choice for people who want to save money in a secure place and earn interest. They also provide loans and credit cards to help people finance large purchases, like homes and cars. Banks may also offer investment products and services, such as stocks and mutual funds. In reality, your bank might be a one-stop-shop, where you can take care of all your financial needs.
Lenders
Lenders are institutions that lend money to people and businesses. While most banks and credit unions do this, there are some companies who only lend money and do not provide any other services, like checking or savings account. They charge interest on the borrowed amount, which is their main source of income.
Credit unions
Credit unions are similar to banks, but they are member-owned and you typically have to qualify to become a member. For example, there are teacher credit unions, or town credit unions (you have to live in a certain town to be a member). Credit unions usually offer better interest rates on savings and lower interest rates on loans. They also provide a range of financial services, just like banks.
Brokerage firms and investment companies
These companies help people invest their money in stocks, bonds, and other financial assets. They often charge fees or commissions for their services. For example, you might open an account with a brokerage firm to invest in a stock or mutual fund.
Insurance companies
Insurance companies provide protection against financial losses due to accidents, natural disasters, and other unexpected events. They collect premiums from policyholders and use the money to pay out claims when needed. For example, you might buy homeowners insurance to protect your house from damage due to a fire.
Financial advisers
Some financial institutions, like financial advisers and wealth managers, provide advice to help people make informed decisions about saving, investing, and managing their money. They may charge fees for their services, or earn commissions based on the products they recommend.
Check your understanding
Financial markets
Financial markets are where financial trades happen, but most people don't actually go there to trade stocks, bonds, or other securities. Instead, they rely on financial institutions, like banks or investment firms, to act on their behalf. So even though you might buy stocks or invest in a mutual fund, you're not actually the one making the trades- the financial institution is doing that work for you.
Stock markets
Stock markets are places where people can invest in shares of companies, like Apple or Amazon. They allow investors to buy and sell stocks, which represent ownership in the company, and potentially earn profits as the company grows.
Bond markets
Bond markets are where people can invest in bonds, which are loans made to companies or governments. Investors who buy bonds receive regular interest payments and get their principal amount back when the bond matures.
Money markets
Money markets are a type of financial market where people can invest in short-term debt securities, like Treasury bills and certificates of deposit.
Conclusion
Understanding financial institutions and markets is essential for making smart decisions about saving and investing your money. By exploring the different types and functions of these organizations, you can identify the best options for your needs and preferences. Whether you're saving for a rainy day, investing in your future, or borrowing money for a big purchase, financial institutions and markets are there to help you achieve your financial goals.
Want to join the conversation?
- What caused the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to begin ensuring savings up to $250,000?(9 votes)
- When someone becomes an account holder at a bank, they want to ensure they don't lose their hard-earned savings if a bank closes.
The FDIC previously insured up to $100,000 at any FDIC-insured bank, which means someone would have to be an account holder at dozens of banks if they were a multimillionaire and wanted to have all their savings insured. Increasing the limit to $250,000 allows multimillionaires to insure their savings across fewer banks.
This has been especially helpful for the increasing number of folks who have substantial savings and high salaries.(12 votes)
- Do you have to invest in stock or bonds? I don't really like the idea of the risk involved and would rather just put my money in a bank. Is that not financially good?(4 votes)
- If you're looking for a low risk, decent growth account that won't lose anything, a high yield savings account will help you. It will help grow your money and counteract inflation.(2 votes)
- whats the best way to go about bond markets?(2 votes)
- For either stocks or bonds go with mutual funds.(2 votes)
- whey need money for(2 votes)
- urm what the sigma(1 vote)
- Why do you have to need a load? Whats the acasion for that? For example you will probably need banks and lenders for this page.(1 vote)
- Dear Holly,
Not everybody has the money they need "up front" to get the things they need. Unless your parents inherited the house in which you grew up, they needed a loan to buy it. Many other things that people want or need in life require borrowing the funds from a bank or other financial institution and paying it off later.(3 votes)
- whats the best way to go about bond markets?(1 vote)