Tuesday, 2 August 2011

Financial Products for Consumers Fast Facts

By Ed Hulse


In order for establishments as well as government agencies to finance their undertakings, they provide financial products for consumers. These instruments allow the citizens to get access to investments and credits in a very efficient way. But before deciding on what instrument to be involved, the public has to get a good grasp on the most common ones.

Potential creditors are invited to extend their financial assistance to the government departments as well as private companies by taking part in bonds. These bonds are issued for a longer term of repayment and creditors are guaranteed of their profits through the fixed interest rates they predetermine and provide to the issuers.

For government agencies that have shorter term needs only, T bills or Treasury bills would be an appropriate instrument to issue. These are provided at specific period of the year only but are also beneficial to creditors since they can still get profit from the fixed interest rates they propose. The longest duration for refinancing this instrument is six month, with the shortest at four weeks.

A similar offer would be the short term notes which are issued by private institutions such as banks. Their differences from the T bills are that they can be payable for up to a year and are available at any time. Nevertheless, these tap issues still offer fixed interest rates which would still guarantee profits to the creditors.

To participate in the ownership and decision making of, and even get profit from a certain company, paying for shares would be a good way. Investors who provide money for the institutions to finance their needs are guaranteed receiving dividends at a frequency determined by the company itself.

Investment funds are another set of issues from the banks, insurance companies or brokerage firms. They are also considered as shares but the funds are used not to manufacture or provide products and services. Instead, they concentrate on real estate assets.

Citizens can also pay for options and warrants which are instruments that would allow them to buy and sell the rights on a share. Options can be exercised for a shorter term than warrants and have lesser chances for increasing capital.

Investors and creditors can better decide on what to do with the financial products for consumers if they consult an expert on these matters. This would allow them to better assess their potentials of earning more by knowing all the rules and regulations governing the instruments.



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