Financial assets are non-physical claims or rights to cash flows or other assets that are represented by a paper or electronic certificate. Unlike tangible real assets like land or equipment, financial assets derive their value from contractual agreements rather than physical attributes. Common types of financial assets include stocks, bonds, bank balances, and investments that can be readily converted into cash. Marketable securities refer to liquid financial assets that are easily traded on organized markets and can be quickly converted to cash at a reasonable price, such as commercial paper, money market instruments, and certain stocks and bonds.