Financial Markets & Institutions (I need help explaining the following and/or demonstrating it for my upcoming exam if anyone could help me comprehend the concepts I would greatly appreciate it!!) Be able to define and apply the concept of “capital” Define and describe different types of capital markets: Primary vs. Secondary Physical vs. Financial Spot vs. Futures Public vs. Private Define and describe different types of financial institutions: Investment Banks Commercial Banks Mutual Funds Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Credit Unions Insurance Companies Describe how investment banks, mutual funds, and commercial banks act as financial intermediaries Describe an initial public offering (IPO) Describe the difference between active and passive investments Solution 1. Primary and secondary capital markets: In primary capital market, investors purchase securites directly from the comapnies issuing securities,whereas in secondary capital market, investors trade securities among themselves through stock exchange, but company doesn\'t participate in the transaciton. Companies which want to sell their securities first time, sells in primary capital market. In many cases,it takes the form of initial public offerings (IPO) 2. Physical and Financial capital: The term physical capittal aplies for the stock of Buildings, equipment, instruments, raw materials, semi-finished and finished goods in inventory and other physical objects used by a firm to produce goods and/or services. Where as financial capital means resources used to purchase thsoe physical objects, those resources come from savings. 3. Spot Vs Futures markets: Spot market is a public financial market in which financial instruments are traded for immediate delivery. It contrast with future market in which is due at a latter date. In spot market, settlement happens in 1 or 2 working days. A spot market may be * an organised market * an exchange * over the counter (OTC) 4. Public and Prvate Markets: Private markets are teh markets where transactions are worked out directly between two parties, while public markets are the markets where standardaized contracts are traded as organized exchanges which requires lot of formal work to enter into a contract. 5. Financial Institutions; A financial institution is aninstitution that provides financial services for its clients and customers. One of the most important financial services provided by a financai institution is acting a a financial intermediary. Most financial institutions are regulated by government. Financial institutions provide services as intermediaries for financial markets.Brodly speaking, there are three major types of financial institutions (1) Depositing institutions (2) Contractual institutions and (3) Investment institutions 6. Commercial banks; A commercial Bank is a type of Bank/Financial institution that provides services such as accepting deposits, making business loans and offer basic investment products. The general role of com.