Introduction to Banking and Financial Markets

Welcome to the course "Introduction to Banking and Financial Markets"Centuries ago, ‘Barter’ was the only mode of exchange for goods and services. Then came ‘commodity money’ (gold) followed by ‘fiat money’ (currency) and the M1-M2-M3 measure of money. Rapid industrialization and the exponential increase in business and trade resulted in the need for businesses and governments to raise more capital (money) to sustain their growth. Simultaneously, the increase in international trade (exports and imports) between countries meant increased cross-border flow of goods and services and hence the need for cross-currency transactions and ‘exchange rates’ between currencies.Banks and Financial Markets evolved in this ‘eco-system’ primarily to channelize money from those who have it (savers/investors) to those who need it (borrowers) and to facilitate cross-border flow of funds through exchange of currencies. That eco-system of banks and financial markets (including Central Banks) has deepened in size, sophistication and complexity over the years. Consequently, the benefits of a robust eco-system of banking and financial markets facilitated and overseen by a strong Central Bank, are real and visible in most countries. However, they have also been the subject of abuse, failures and economic distress in several countries, with a ‘contagion effect’ on the rest of the World!In this course you will learn about:The theory and concepts underlying Banking and Financial MarketsThe products and instruments that are offered by Banks and Financial Markets to meet the financial needs of individuals, businesses and governmentsThe underlying market mechanisms and how the financial instruments are traded (i.e. bought and sold)