This chapter begins to explain the role of central banks in our economic and financial system. It will describe the origins of modern central banking. It will examine the complexities policymakers now face in meeting their responsibilities. It will highlight a central question that has become politically controversial: what is the proper relationship between a central bank and the government? | Chapter 16 Mutual Funds, Insurance Companies, Investment Banks, and Other Financial Firms Learning Objectives To explore the many roles played by mutual funds, insurance companies, investment banks, finance companies, mortgage banks, and security dealers. To discover the different services they offer. To examine their principal sources and uses of funds. To understand the many problems they face today. Introduction We now turn to a highly diverse group of financial institutions that attract savings mainly from individuals and families and, for the most part, make long-term loans in the capital market. Mutual Funds (Investment Companies) Mutual funds, or investment companies, direct the savings of individual investors into bonds, stocks, and money market securities. A small saver who buys mutual fund shares gains opportunities for capital gains and indirect access to higher yielding securities that can be purchased only in large blocks, and yet still enjoys price stability, low . | Chapter 16 Mutual Funds, Insurance Companies, Investment Banks, and Other Financial Firms Learning Objectives To explore the many roles played by mutual funds, insurance companies, investment banks, finance companies, mortgage banks, and security dealers. To discover the different services they offer. To examine their principal sources and uses of funds. To understand the many problems they face today. Introduction We now turn to a highly diverse group of financial institutions that attract savings mainly from individuals and families and, for the most part, make long-term loans in the capital market. Mutual Funds (Investment Companies) Mutual funds, or investment companies, direct the savings of individual investors into bonds, stocks, and money market securities. A small saver who buys mutual fund shares gains opportunities for capital gains and indirect access to higher yielding securities that can be purchased only in large blocks, and yet still enjoys price stability, low risk, and high liquidity. Mutual Funds (Investment Companies) Investment companies first developed in the ., and then made their appearance in the . in 1924 as a vehicle for buying and monitoring subsidiary corporations. Since then, the traditionally stock-investing industry has seen many innovations – bond funds, money market funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds, global funds, vulture funds, small/mid/large-cap investment companies, and hedge funds. Mutual Funds (Investment Companies) Investment companies have a favorable tax situation – they pay no federal taxes on income generated by their security holdings, provided their earnings flow through to their customers. TAX Mutual Funds (Investment Companies) Open-end investment companies, or mutual funds, buy back (redeem) their shares any time the investor wishes, and sell shares in any quantity demanded. The price of each open-end company share is equal to the net asset value of the fund – that is, the difference between the .
