Key Roles for Financial Markets (2024)

Some of the key roles of financial markets are explained in this short revision video.

We also look at evidence of the significance of financial services for the UK economy.

Six key roles of financial markets

  1. To facilitate saving by businesses and households: Offering a secure place to store money and earn interest
  2. To lend to businesses and individuals: Financial markets provide an intermediary between savers and borrowers
  3. To allocate funds to productive uses: Financial markets allocate capital to where the risk-adjusted rate of return is highest
  4. To facilitate the final exchange of goods and services such as contactless payments systems, foreign exchange etc.
  5. To provide forward markets in currencies and commodities: Forward markets allow agents to insure against price volatility
  6. To provide a market for equities: Allowing businesses to raise fresh equity to fund their capital investment and expansion

Main financial markets to understand

Money Market

Market for short term loan finance for businesses and households

Includes inter-bank lending i.e. commercial banks providing liquidity for each other

Capital Market

Market where securities such as shares, and bonds are issued to raise medium to long-term finance for businesses & government

Foreign Exchange Market

Market where currencies (foreign exchange) are traded

Key Roles for Financial Markets (2024)

FAQs

What are the key roles of financial markets? ›

Financial markets facilitate the interaction between those who need capital with those who have capital to invest. In addition to making it possible to raise capital, financial markets allow participants to transfer risk (generally through derivatives) and promote commerce.

What are the five key roles of the financial system? ›

The five key functions of a financial system are: (i) producing information ex ante about possible investments and allocate capital; (ii) monitoring investments and exerting corporate governance after providing finance; (iii) facilitating the trading, diversification, and management of risk; (iv) mobilizing and pooling ...

What are the roles of participants in the financial market? ›

Typical participants in a stock market include (both retail and institutional) investors, traders, market makers (MMs), and specialists who maintain liquidity and provide two-sided markets. Brokers are third parties that facilitate trades between buyers and sellers but who do not take an actual position in a stock.

What are the five key components of financial markets? ›

THE STRUCTURE OF FINANCIAL MARKETS. Financial markets comprise five key components: the debt market, the equity market, the foreign-exchange market, the mortgage market, and the derivative market.

What are the three main functions of financial markets? ›

The following are the functions of a financial market.
  • i) Transfer of Savings and Alternatives for Investment. A financial market acts a link between the savers and the investors. ...
  • ii) Establishes the Price. ...
  • iii) Facilitates Liquidity. ...
  • iv) Reduced Cost of Transaction.

What are the four key markets in the financial markets? ›

The 4 types of financial markets are currency markets, money markets, derivative markets, and capital markets.

What are the 4 main functions of finance? ›

Finance functions cover Investment (allocating funds to assets for growth), Dividend (deciding on profit distribution to shareholders), Financing (raising capital through equity or debt), and Liquidity (ensuring sufficient cash flow for operations).

What are the seven 7 functions of financial management? ›

It checks whether the activities are prolific and are in line with regulations. The seven popular functions are decisions and control, financial planning, resource allocation, cash flow management, surplus disposal, acquisitions, mergers, and capital budgeting. Give examples of finance functions in excel?

What do you mean by financial market? ›

A Financial Market is referred to space, where selling and buying of financial assets and securities take place. It allocates limited resources in the nation's economy. It serves as an agent between the investors and collector by mobilising capital between them.

What are the three main roles of financial markets quizlet? ›

5 roles of financial markets:
  • To facilitate SAVING.
  • To LEND to businesses and individuals.
  • To facilitate the EXCHANGE of GOODS & SERVICES.
  • To provide FORWARD MARKETS in currencies and commodities.
  • To provide a market for EQUITIES.

What are the six participants in the financial system? ›

It breaks down the financial system into its six elements: lenders & borrowers, financial intermediaries, financial instruments, financial markets, money creation and price discovery.

What is the difference between the roles of brokers and dealers? ›

Brokers and dealers both provide useful financial information about investments to their clients but differ in how they operate. Brokers help clients buy and sell securities while overseeing their brokerage accounts, while dealers are individuals or firms that buy and sell securities for their own accounts.

What are the 4 C's of financial management? ›

As owners of FP&A processes, today's accounting teams must be well-versed in the four C's of financial planning: context, collaboration, continuity, and communication. Today, financial planning and budgeting are more important than ever.

What is the organizational structure of the financial market? ›

The only primary components of the financial market structure are the trading platforms and digital wallets. The primary components of the financial market structure include primary markets, secondary markets, stock market, bond market, etc. These regulate the availability of funds and the return on these funds.

What is financial market structure? ›

Financial market is a term that denotes any place where the exchange and trading of financial assets, including stocks, bonds, commodities, forex, etc., takes place. It provides a platform where those in need of funds can easily find those who are looking for returns on their investments.

What are the three main roles of financial markets in Quizlet? ›

5 roles of financial markets:
  • To facilitate SAVING.
  • To LEND to businesses and individuals.
  • To facilitate the EXCHANGE of GOODS & SERVICES.
  • To provide FORWARD MARKETS in currencies and commodities.
  • To provide a market for EQUITIES.

What is the primary role of the financial markets quizlet? ›

The primary role of financial markets is to facilitate the flows of funds from individuals and businesses that have surplus funds to individuals, businesses, and governments that have needs for funds in excess of their income.

What is the main purpose of financial markets quizlet? ›

What is the purpose of financial markets? they match people who want money to spend now (buyers) with people who want to save their money for later (sellers).

What are the functions of financial markets quizlet? ›

A market in which financial assets can be bought and sold. They facilitate the flow of funds and allow financing and investing by firms, households, and government agencies.

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