Financial System Structure, Assets, Liabilities, and Markets
Financial System Structure
The role of the financial system is to channel savings from surplus economic units to deficit economic units. The financial system comprises three basic elements: assets and liabilities, institutions, and markets.
Assets and liabilities are financial products issued by deficit economic units and acquired by those with surplus funds. These products are traded in markets where various financial institutions operate within a framework established by public authorities.
Assets and Liabilities
Financial products include:
- Cash (liability for the issuing bank, asset for the holder)
- Bank deposits (liabilities for the bank, asset for the client)
- Loans and credits (asset for the bank, liability for the borrower)
- Stocks, bonds, and public funds (liability for the issuer, asset for the investor)
Fixed Income or Debt
Large companies and public agencies borrow large amounts in the financial market through fixed income securities or financial assets and liabilities issued by borrowing.
Equity Products
Corporations divide their capital into shares, granting ownership rights to buyers.
Bank Liability Products
Credit institutions offer deposit products, accounts, and repos, providing a safe way to save money and earn interest.
Active Banking Products
These include discounting bills, debts, and loans, with lenders focusing on repayment guarantees and profitability.
Other Financial Products
These include investment funds, insurance, pension plans, and retirement plans.
Financial Markets
Financial markets can be classified based on the lifespan of assets, the type of product traded, and their organization.
Classification by Lifespan
Primary Markets
Companies or institutions issue financial assets to buyers, creating a financing process.
Secondary Markets
Owners of financial assets sell them to others, providing liquidity, price reference, and profit opportunities.
Classification by Product
Banking Markets
They offer banking products, assets, and liabilities.
Monetary and Capital Markets
They trade cash or highly liquid assets with maturities typically under 24 months.
- Money market: Includes interbank, short-term debt, and commercial paper markets.
- Short-term government debt market: Managed by the Bank of Spain.
- Commercial paper markets: Involve debt securities issued by major companies.
Classification by Organization
Organized Markets
These are controlled and regulated, including formal and informal markets.
OTC Markets
Buyers and sellers freely determine negotiation terms.
Intermediaries and Institutions
Intermediaries and institutions in financial markets are complex. In Spain, custodial institutions include the Bank of Spain, the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), and the Directorate General of Insurance. The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) oversee the system.