The money market is a financial market where short-term debt securities, such as treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements, are bought and sold, providing liquidity and financing for participants in the economy.
The money market facilitates the borrowing and lending of funds among banks, financial institutions, corporations, governments, and investors for short-term funding needs, investment opportunities, liquidity management, and regulatory compliance.
Money market instruments are characterized by their high liquidity, low credit risk, and short maturity periods, typically ranging from overnight to one year. Participants in the money market include central banks, commercial banks, money market mutual funds, corporations, governments, institutional investors, and individual investors seeking safe and liquid investments with competitive yields. The money market plays a crucial role in monetary policy transmission, interest rate determination, liquidity management, and the overall functioning of financial markets and the economy, providing a reliable source of funding, investment, and risk management for participants in the financial system.