Money Market Instruments, Meaning, Types, Features, Purpose
by Money Market is used to define a market where short-term financial assets with a maturity up to one year are traded. The assets are a close substitute for money and support money exchange carried out in the primary and secondary market. In other words, the money market is a mechanism which facilitate the lending and borrowing of instruments which are generally for a duration of less than a year. High liquidity and short maturity are typical features which are traded in the money market. The non-banking finance corporations (NBFCs), commercial banks, and acceptance houses are the components which make up the money market.
Money market is a part of a larger financial market which consists of numerous smaller sub-markets like bill market, acceptance market, call money market, etc. Besides, the money market deals are not out in money / cash, but other instruments like trade bills, government papers, promissory notes, etc. But the money market transactions can’t be done through brokers as they have to be carried out via mediums like formal documentation, oral or written communication.
Types of Money Market Instrument
- Banker’s Acceptance
A financial instrument produced by an individual or a corporation, in the name of the bank is known as Banker’s Acceptance. It requires the issuer to pay the instrument holder a specified amount on a predetermined date, which ranges from 30 to 180 days, starting from the date of issue of the instrument. It is a secure financial instrument as the payment is guaranteed by a commercial bank.
Banker’s Acceptance is issued at a discounted price, and the actual price is paid to the holder at maturity. The difference between the two is the profit made by the investor.
- Treasury Bills
Treasury bills or T- Bills are issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Central Government for raising money. They have short term maturities with highest upto one year. Currently, T- Bills are issued with 3 different maturity periods, which are, 91 days T-Bills, 182 days T- Bills, 1 year T – Bills.
T-Bills are issued at a discount to the face value. At maturity, the investor gets the face value amount. This difference between the initial value and face value is the return earned by the investor. They are the safest short term fixed income investments as they are backed by the Government of India.
- Repurchase Agreements
Also known as repos or buybacks, Repurchase Agreements are a formal agreement between two parties, where one party sells a security to another, with the promise of buying it back at a later date from the buyer. It is also called a Sell-Buy transaction.
The seller buys the security at a predetermined time and amount which also includes the interest rate at which the buyer agreed to buy the security. The interest rate charged by the buyer for agreeing to buy the security is called Repo rate. Repos come-in handy when the seller needs funds for short-term, s/he can just sell the securities and get the funds to dispose. The buyer gets an opportunity to earn decent returns on the invested money.
- Certificate of Deposits
Certificate of deposit (CD) is issued directly by a commercial bank, but it can be purchased through brokerage firms. It comes with a maturity date ranging from three months to five years and can be issued in any denomination.
Most CDs offer a fixed maturity date and interest rate, and they attract a penalty for withdrawing prior to the time of maturity. Just like a bank’s checking account, a certificate of deposit is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
- Commercial Papers
Commercial paper is an unsecured loan issued by large institutions or corporations to finance short-term cash flow needs, such as inventory and accounts payables. It is issued at a discount, with the difference between the price and face value of the commercial paper being the profit to the investor.
Only institutions with a high credit rating can issue commercial paper, and it is therefore considered a safe investment. Commercial paper is issued in denominations of $100,000 and above. Individual investors can invest in the commercial paper market indirectly through money market funds. Commercial paper comes with a maturity date between one month and nine months.
- Call Money
Call money refers to extremely short-term borrowing and lending, usually overnight, between banks and financial institutions. Banks use the call money market to manage their daily liquidity and meet statutory reserve requirements like CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio). The interest rate charged in this market is called the call rate, which fluctuates daily depending on liquidity conditions. Call money plays a crucial role in maintaining the liquidity and stability of the financial system and is a key tool for monetary policy.
- Notice Money
Notice money refers to short-term funds borrowed or lent for periods between 2 and 14 days. Unlike call money, notice money cannot be recalled on the same day but requires prior notice. Banks and financial institutions use notice money to manage short-term liquidity mismatches and regulatory requirements. The notice money market provides slightly better returns than call money due to the longer tenure, while still offering high liquidity. It is an important component of the interbank money market.
Features of Money Market Instruments
- Short-Term Maturity
Money market instruments are designed for short-term use, typically with maturities ranging from one day up to one year. Their short tenure makes them ideal for meeting immediate liquidity needs of governments, banks, and corporations. This feature helps institutions manage their working capital efficiently and reduces the risk exposure associated with long-term commitments. Investors also benefit from quick maturity cycles, allowing them to reinvest or adjust their portfolios frequently in response to changing market conditions and interest rate movements.
- High Liquidity
One of the key features of money market instruments is their high liquidity, meaning they can be easily converted into cash with minimal loss of value. Instruments like Treasury Bills, Commercial Papers, and Certificates of Deposit are actively traded in the secondary market, allowing investors to exit before maturity if needed. This liquidity makes them attractive to banks, corporations, and financial institutions that may need to quickly access funds. High liquidity also ensures smooth functioning of the short-term financial markets.
- Low Risk
Money market instruments are considered low-risk investments because they are usually issued by governments, large corporations, or regulated financial institutions. For example, Treasury Bills are backed by the government, and Commercial Papers are issued by creditworthy companies. Their short-term nature further reduces the exposure to long-term market risks, such as interest rate changes or credit deterioration. As a result, they provide a safe investment option for risk-averse investors who want to preserve capital while earning modest returns.
- Discounted Issuance
Many money market instruments, such as Treasury Bills and Commercial Papers, are issued at a discount to their face value and redeemed at par upon maturity. This means investors earn returns based on the difference between the purchase price and the face value rather than receiving periodic interest payments. Discounted issuance simplifies the pricing structure and makes these instruments attractive for investors seeking predictable, upfront returns. It also allows issuers to raise short-term funds efficiently without committing to long-term debt obligations.
- Fixed Returns
Money market instruments typically offer fixed returns, meaning the yield or return is determined at the time of purchase and does not fluctuate with market conditions. This feature provides certainty to investors about the amount they will receive at maturity, making it easier to plan cash flows. Fixed returns are especially valuable in times of market volatility or declining interest rates, as they offer a predictable source of income. This predictability adds to the appeal for conservative investors.
- Negotiability
Most money market instruments are negotiable, meaning they can be freely bought, sold, or transferred in the secondary market before maturity. This feature enhances their liquidity and makes them flexible investment options for institutions that might need to adjust their portfolios or meet unexpected funding requirements. Negotiability ensures that investors are not locked into their positions and can capitalize on market opportunities or address liquidity mismatches by trading these instruments easily with other market participants.
- Large Denominations
Money market instruments are generally issued in large denominations, often in multiples of lakhs or crores, which makes them primarily suitable for institutional investors, such as banks, mutual funds, and large corporations. The large size of transactions ensures that the market remains stable and that participants are financially sound entities. While this limits retail investor participation, it helps maintain the professional, wholesale nature of the money market, ensuring efficient pricing and reducing administrative costs per unit of transaction.
- Regulatory Oversight
Money market instruments operate under strict regulatory frameworks designed to ensure stability, transparency, and investor protection. In India, regulators like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) set guidelines on who can issue, invest in, or trade these instruments. This regulatory oversight minimizes the risk of fraud or default and ensures that only creditworthy issuers access the market. It also maintains market discipline, encourages transparency, and promotes investor confidence.
- Low Returns Compared to Long-Term Instruments
Due to their short-term and low-risk nature, money market instruments typically offer lower returns compared to long-term investment options like equities or corporate bonds. While they provide safety and liquidity, the trade-off is that investors earn modest yields. This feature makes them suitable primarily for conservative investors or for institutions managing short-term surplus funds rather than those seeking high capital gains. Despite the lower returns, the security and flexibility they offer make them an important part of balanced portfolios.
Purpose of a Money Market
- Provides Funds at a Short Notice
Money Market offers an excellent opportunity to individuals, small and big corporations, banks of borrowing money at very short notice. These institutions can borrow money by selling money market instruments and finance their short-term needs.
It is better for institutions to borrow funds from the market instead of borrowing from banks, as the process is hassle-free and the interest rate of these assets is also lower than that of commercial loans. Sometimes, commercial banks also use these money market instruments to maintain the minimum cash reserve ratio as per the RBI guidelines.
- Maintains Liquidity in the Market
One of the most crucial functions of the money market is to maintain liquidity in the economy. Some of the money market instruments are an important part of the monetary policy framework. RBI uses these short-term securities to get liquidity in the market within the required range.
- Utilisation of Surplus Funds
Money Market makes it easier for investors to dispose off their surplus funds, retaining their liquid nature, and earn significant profits on the same. It facilitates investors’ savings into investment channels. These investors include banks, non-financial corporations as well as state and local government.
- Helps in monetary policy
A developed money market helps RBI in efficiently implementing monetary policies. Transactions in the money market affect short term interest rate, and short-term interest rates gives an overview of the current monetary and banking state of the country. This further helps RBI in formulating the future monetary policy, deciding long term interest rates, and a suitable banking policy.
- Aids in Financial Mobility
Money Market helps in financial mobility by allowing easy transfer of funds from one sector to another. This ensures transparency in the system. High financial mobility is important for the overall growth of the economy, by promoting industrial and commercial development.