Why do financial institutions and markets have the structure they do? Why is that structure changing? These questions are central to the scope and purpose of Meir G. Kohn's Financial Institutions and Markets, 2-e. Unlike most books designed for financial markets and institutions courses, this successful text focuses on the "why" of existing and evolving markets and instruments as well as the "how." Financial Institutions and Markets, 2-e, makes clear the general principles and economic functions underlying all financial intermediaries. It provides a thorough discussion of the specifics of banking, insurance, pension funds, and mutual funds. In a similar fashion, the book elucidates the general principles and economic functions common to all financial markets and offers an in-depth look at the specifics of the particular markets for government securities, mortgages, corporate debt, equity, and derivatives. The final section addresses the management of liquidity and risk and discusses the safety, stability, and regulation of financial intermediaries and financial markets. Each chapter begins with a list of study objectives and concludes with a summary. Key terms are listed at the end of each chapter and defined in marginal glossaries as they occur in the text. End-of-chapter questions are included to provide a stimulus for discussion. Accessible to a wide range of students, Financial Institutions and Markets, 2-e, is ideal for courses in financial institutions, financial markets, or a combination of institutions and markets at either the undergraduate or graduate level.

Lending, payments, and risk-trading -- The financial system and its technology -- Efficiency, stability, and government intervention -- Interest rates, exchange rates, and security prices -- Understanding financial intermediaries -- What is a bank? -- The banking industry -- Payments and foreign exchange -- Insurance -- Pension funds and mutual funds -- Understanding financial markets -- The market for government securities -- The mortgage market -- The corporate debt market -- The equity market -- The derivatives market : futures, options, and swaps -- The organization of financial markets -- Managing liquidity and risk -- Bank safety and regulation -- Security market stability and regulation.