Financial Institutions SS2 Economics Lesson Note

MONEY MARKET

A money market is a market where short-term securities are traded.  The market comprises institutions or individuals who either have money to lend or wish to borrow on a short-term basis.

Instruments Used In The Money Market

1. Treasury Bills
2. Treasury Certificate
3. Bill of exchange
4. Call money funds

Treasury Bill: This is issued by the Central Bank. It enables the government to raise capital for ninety days.

Treasury Certificate: It is also a means by which the government raises short-term loans. Unlike a treasury bill, however, a treasury certificate falls due for repayment in twelve to twenty-four months. Because of its longer maturation, it earns a higher rate of discount than the treasury bills

Bill of Exchange: This is a promissory note where the debtor acknowledges its debt and intends to pay within ninety days (90 days).

Call Money Funds: The surplus is often invested through a special arrangement in which participating institutions invest surplus money for their immediate requirement on an overnight basis with interest and withdrawal on demand. This enhances the liquidity of the money market.

Institutions Involved In The Money Market.

1. Central Bank
2. Commercial Banks
3. Acceptance House
4. Finance House
5. Discount House
6. Insurance companies

Functions Of Money Market

1. Money market helps to provide capital (working capital) for day to day running of the business.
2. Through investing in call money extra income is generated.
3. Money market helps to mobilize savings.
4. Money market helps to promote economic growth and development
5. It enhances good saving habits by those having surplus funds
6. Money invested in the money market is very easy to recall.

CAPITAL MARKET

Funds are needed by entrepreneurs, government and business firms on a long-term basis.  The money market cannot provide these needed funds.  Hence the capital market bridges this gap.  A capital market is a market where long-term securities are traded.  

Instruments Used In Capital Market

1. Securities such as shares, stocks, development stock, bonds, debenture
2. Share- is a unit of capital measured by a sum of money which is an individual portion of the company’s capital owned by a shareholder. It is a means of raising long-term loans for companies through the stock exchange market.
3. Stock- is the bundle of shares or mass capital which can be transferred in fractional amounts. Stocks are always fully paid, for example, stocks can be quoted per N100 nominal value. They are collections of shares into a bundle. Stocks are not issued but converted from shares issued.
4. Development Stock- a debt instrument through which governments get long-term loans or borrowing for a period of up to five years and above.
5. Bond- is an interest-bearing or discounted government or corporate security that obliges the issuers to pay the bondholder a specified sum of money annually at a specific interval and to repay the principal amount of the loan at maturity.
6. Debenture- an instrument or a loan certificate for raising a long-term loan from the public by a limited company. A debenture is a debt and a debenture holder is not a co-owner of the business but a creditor. 

Institutions Involved In Capital Market

1. Issuing houses
2. Insurance companies
3. Development Banks
4. Building Societies
5. National Provident Fund (NPF)
6. Stock Exchange

Functions Of Capital Market

1. The capital market provides long-term loans for investment.

2. The capital market serves as a forum through which the public sector takes part in running the economy.
3. The capital market helps to mobilize savings for investment purposes.
4. It provides means through which merchant banks can grow and develop.
5. It gives opportunity to the general public to participate in the running of the economy of the country

ASSIGNMENT

1. A government treasury bill is a form of debt instrument which falls due for repayment. (a) 3 months   (b) 9 months       (c) 2 years    (d) 5 years    (e) 10 or more years
2. Long-term loans can be secured from _______(a) commercial banks (b) discount houses  (c) development banks    (d) acceptance house

3. In the money market, money can only be borrowed for ___________(a)long-term (b) short term (c) capital projects     (d) public utilities

4. The debt instrument through which a loan can be secured for a period up to five years and above……………  (a) debenture (b) share (c) stock (d) bond

5. Call money funds is a debt instrument being used in…………… (a) stock exchange market (b) money market (c) foreign exchange market (d) capital market.