What is the financial system, and what is it composed of? Find out more in this introductory UNITAR course on the financial system.
This UNITAR course defines the financial system and introduces the six elements that it is composed of. It also defines the financial entities that facilitate the flow of funds in the financial system and the four sectors of the economy that make up the non-financial lenders and borrowers. This course is for those interested or working in the financial sector. It is part of a UNITAR series on finance.
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Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
Defining the Financial System
This course is made possible through the generous financial support of the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND). _For more information visit the Global Platform on Financial Inclusion _
Course Objectives By the end of this course, you should be able to: Define the financial system. Describe the elements that make up the financial system. Elucidate the allied (non-principal) financial bodies / entities that assist in facilitating the flow of funds and securities in a financial system. Name and define the sectors of the economy that constitute the non-financial lenders and borrowers.
Defining the Financial System
Every scholar on the financial markets has attempted a definition of the financial system.
Our Definition of the Financial System is: The financial system is a set of arrangements / conventions embracing the lending and borrowing of funds... by non-financial economic units and the intermediation of this function by financial intermediaries in order to facilitate the transfer of funds, to create additional money when required, and to create markets in debt and equity instruments (and their derivatives) so that the price and allocation of funds are determined efficiently.
Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
Elements and Participants of the Financial System | Part 1
In our definition of financial systems, there are six essential elements. This lesson will take you through the six essential elements.
Essential Element Four The Creation of Money The creation of money when required, i.e., the unique money creating ability of banks is essential element four.
Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
Elements and Participants of the Financial System | Part 2
Five key participants are: Brokers and Dealers Fund Managers Financial Exchanges Credit Rating Agencies Financial Regulators
Participant ThreeThe Financial Exchanges The financial exchanges that allow the broker-dealers to facilitate trading in securities, and create the mechanism for clearing and settlement of trades in a risk-minimising manner.
What is the responsibility of the credit rating services?
Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
The Financial System Overview
When a bank makes a new loan, a new deposit is created; this requires a topping up of reserves (R), and this is provided by the central bank.
The money creation element of the financial system is a crucial one in terms of the supply of capital / funding when required by economic agents and of course in terms of monetary policy.
Key Interest rate:
Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
Non-Financial Lenders and Borrowers
It is highly improbable that the savings of (non-financial) economic units will be matched by desired investment.
Some economic units will find that their savings out of income will exceed their planned investment, while others will find themselves in a situation where their savings are insufficient to meet desired internal investment.
For purposes of these accounts, central banks usually define these four sectors as follows: Household Sector Corporate Sector Government Sector Foreign Sector
Household Sector This sector consists of individuals and families, but also includes private charitable, religious and non-profit bodies serving households.
It includes unincorporated businesses such as farmers, retailers and professional partnerships, as the transactions of these businesses cannot be separated from the personal transactions of their owners.
Corporate Sector This sector comprises all companies not classified as financial institutions and therefore covers business enterprises directly or indirectly engaged in the production and distribution of goods and services.
Government Sector This sector consists of the central government, provincial governments (where they exist), local authorities, and non-financial public enterprises.
Foreign Sector This sector comprises all organisations, persons and assets resident or situated in the rest of the world.
Which of the following are considered to be in the government sector?
Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
Introduction to the Financial System: Summary
Non-financial lenders and borrowers
Financial intermediaries
Financial instruments
Creation of money
Financial markets
Price discovery
In addition, there are also allied participants / players / entities in the system, without which the system would not function efficiently.
Participants In The Financial System Brokers and dealers (collectively: broker-dealers) Fund managers Credit rating agencies Financial exchanges Financial regulators
Non-financial lenders and borrowers
Household sector
Government sector
Corporate sector
Foreign sector
Introduction to the Financial System Course - Lesson Excerpt
Introduction to the Financial System: Quiz
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations system.
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