Money and Banking
In a modern economy, money plays an essential role as a medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value. Initially, trade was conducted through barter, which suffers from inefficiencies like the double coincidence of wants. Money emerged to facilitate smoother transactions.
Functions of Money
The primary function of money is to serve as a medium of exchange, making transfers of goods and services more efficient than barter. Additionally, money serves as a unit of account, allowing for the standardized measurement of value among diverse goods and a store of value that is non-perishable and widely accepted.
Demand and Supply of Money
Money demand varies based on transaction needs and interest rates. On the supply side, money consists of cash and bank deposits, which are created by both the central bank and commercial banks. The former issues currency and regulates money supply, while the latter accepts deposits and extends loans, generating money through credit creation.
Money Creation
Through the banking system, a fractional reserve system allows banks to lend more than the cash they hold, thus creating money. The money multiplier effect describes how initial deposits can lead to greater total deposits in the economy.
Central Bank's Role
The central bank controls the money supply using tools like the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), open market operations, and bank interest rates, ensuring monetary stability. In recent years, efforts have been made towards creating a cashless society through digital transactions and financial inclusivity initiatives.
In summary, understanding money and banking is crucial for comprehending economic interactions and behaviors in any market economy.