Compare and contrast the financial systems of two different countries. Use an institutional approach to describe the system. Comment on the impact on, and response to the GFC in each country Essay Example for Free

Comp are and contrast the monetary ashess of two diverse countries. call up an institutional approach to describe the system of rules. Comment on the impact on, and response to the GFC in each orbit Essay1.0 IntroductionA fiscal system inquires for efficient allocation of resources among the extra and deficit units (Viney 2009) as such it encourages more than savings where capital are hand overd for investor to invest and samewise ease the movements for goods and work (Viney 2009). There are three briny comp angiotensin converting enzyments in the pecuniary systems which are the pecuniary institutions, fiscal instruments and financial markets. All three types of financial system each carry different function, characters and regulations.However, financial institutions exit be mainly counsel in this research essay. orbiculate fiscal Crisis (GFC), similarly cognize as the keen recession occurs in the year of approximately 2007-08. GFC has caused a seve ral(prenominal) impact on the delivery which leads to a several pause of the financial institutions. For instance, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, one of the study investing posits in US (Australia post of Statistics 2010).Thus, the objective of this essay is to examine both financial system of the chosen countries which are united States and Australia, likewise the impacts and responses on the GFC in both of the chosen countries.2.0 Compare and Contrast both monetary Systems2.1 Central hopeThe central bank of the United States (U.S.) is known as federal official declare System (FED) whereas the central bank of Australia is known as the keep Bank of Australia (RBA).The national Reserve Systems structure exist of the Board of Governors which are duly appointed by the president, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), and 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks located through come forth the major states in the country (The Federal Reserve Board 2003).Banking in U.S. is reg u new-fashionedd at both federal and state level. Unlike U.S., Australia has further one central bank which is the Reserve Bank of Australia. However, both central banks are independent within their authorities (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001) whereby for FED, the monetary policies decisions do not arrive to go through the Presidents authorization, and for RBA, they declare statutory authority established by an act of parliament which grants them partlyicularized powers and obligations to carry out prerequisite policies (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001).On the other hand, RBA has two batting order, which are the reserve bank board and payment systems board (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001). The reserve bank board is accountable for monetary and banking constitution whereas the payment systems board is responsible for controlling risk in the financial system, promoting the efficiency of the payments system, and promoting competition in the market for payment services, unchang ing with the overall stability of the financial system (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001).The role of FED is to pack the countrys monetary policy, which accepts full employment, stable prices and moderate long term interest rate as utter in the Federal Reserve Act (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 2008).Furthermore, they maintain the stability of the financial system, supervise and regulate banking institutions, set up financial services to depository institutions, and alien souricial institutions. FOMC will see to it the greet and availability of money and recognition in the countrys economy by poignant the discount rate, reserve urgencys and controlling the open market operations (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 2012).Likewise, the role of RBA is to conduct monetary policy as well, which includes the maintenance of price stability, full employment and the economic successfulness and welfare of the Australian citizens (Reserve Bank of Austr alia 2001). Besides that, they also set the cash rate to wreak a middling term inflation target (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001).Moreover, RBA must maintain a strong financial system and efficient payments system and the issuing of the nations bank notes. Selected banking services are provided to the Australian government, agencies, official institutions, and a number of overseas central banks (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001). 2.2 Commercial BankCommercial banks in the U.S. are quite similar to those of Australia whereby their main role is to act as a financial go-between by channeling fundsfrom agents who deposit money and lenders who needs fund and wants to repeat. These agents and lenders include households, businesses, governments and contradictoryers.Australia lead products and services which include balance sheet transactions and off-balance-sheet transactions (Viney 2009). For balance sheet transaction, the first social function is to loan exercise to match the easy a mount of deposits that they received from customers. This bodily process is known as assets management (Viney 2009). The second purpose is to manage their sources of funds in order to ensure that they assume sufficient amount of funds lendable to meet the loan demand or any other form of commitments. This activity is known as liabilities management (Viney 2009).For off-balance-sheet transactions, it includes a substantial volume of business that is not recorded either an asset or liability on their balance sheet. In comparison, U.S. obtains their funds (liabilities) by issuing deposits, checking deposits, time deposits, saving deposits (Samolyk 2004). For their use of funds (assets), it includes making commercialised, consumer, and mortgage loans, and by buying U.S. government and municipal bonds (Samolyk 2004).Therefore, commercial banks play an heavy role in funding business borrowers. The percentage of non-financial business borrowing that commercial banks fund on their bala nce sheets has not declined remarkably in the past five decades or so.The commercial banks in U.S. provide conduct financing, foreign exchange, somatic finances and miscellaneous banking services which include currency specified belief cards, corporate checking accounts and lock boxes (Ireland n.d.). Moreover, the existence of commercial banks make reliable transfer of funds between different countries all over the population possible. Furthermore, the distribution of valuable economic and business information among clients around the creation is made possible as well (Samolyk 2004). Similarly, in that respect are basically two functions of a commercial bank in Australia.The primary functions are obviously to accept deposits from individuals, and grant loans and advances for personal or corporate purposes. The secondary functions consists of collecting and supplying business information, providing reports on the credit worthiness of customers, standing guarantee on behalf of i tscustomers for making payments for the get of goods, vehicles, machinery, and so on. Besides that, they also provide customers with foreign exchange facilities and they also provide safe deposits vaults or lockers for valuables, important documents and securities.In a nutshell, for both countries, on that point are several similarities in the roles of commercial banks. Commercial banks promote capital formation whereby they accept deposits from individuals and businesses, whereby these deposits are then made available to the businesses which will realize use of them for industrious purposes in the country (Ireland n.d.). Moreover, they also provide laconic and medium term loans for entrepreneurs to invest in new enterprises or businesses. Furthermore, they also promote trade and industry since they offer the use of bank draft, bill of exchange, check, credit cards and letters of credit.In one way or another, they also influence the level of economic activity by influencing the rate of interest and the availability of credit in the market. Most importantly, they implement the monetary policy proposed by FED or RBA to bring intimately price stability, full employment and promote economic festering within the country. There are several sources of funds for these commercial banks.The main source would of course be from the current account deposits. However, they do have other sources as well such as demand deposits, term deposits, negotiable certificates of deposits, bills acceptance liabilities, foreign currency liabilities, loan capital and shareholders equity. 2.3 Non-bank Financial Institutions2.3.1 Depository Financial InstitutionDepository institutions (DPI) act as a financial intermediary similar to a commercial bank, whereby its main task is to accept deposits from surplus units and then issue loans to the deficit units in the financial system (Viney 2009). The main regulator for Australia is Australia Prudential principle Authority (APRA) whereas for U.S. is the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).As for U.S., there are about 9, 000 operable depository financial institutions in the U.S. They operate through 92, 000 branch offices located in different states ( pay Maps of universe 2011). Their role is to set a benchmark for DPI in the ground ofcommercial banking. The funds that are put in is used to meet the credit need of others (finance Maps of World 2011). On the other hand, Australias DPI consists of three main institutions which are banks, building societies and credit unions (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001). There are a total of 171 institutions of which 55 are banks, 11 are building societies and 105 are credit unions (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001).2.3.2 investiture funds banks and Merchant banksInvestment banks and merchant banks primary objective is to collect funds and invest them in the market to achieve specific goals set for different types of investments (Viney 2009). There are generally two types of investment companies which are open-end or closed-end mutual funds. Open-end funds will accept new investment and trade in old ones, whereas for closed-end funds they only accept funds once and then do not take in any spare new funds. Investment companies have recently become more popular among U.S. and Australia, and have managed trillions of dollars.As for U.S. investment banks specialize in facilitating financial transactions rather than just providing finance. They have a good write up as a financial innovator since their responsibilities includes the improvement of new financial products and services which must meet the ever changing needs of clients (Kumar, Chuppe Perttunen 1997).In contrast, investment banks and merchant banks in Australia are not considered an definitive bank but often referred to as money market corporations (Viney 2009). They do not have a depositor base to include in their assets. Therefore, they enkindle funds through the issues of securities f rom the international money and capital markets (Viney 2009).2.3.3 contractual savings institutionsContractual saving institutions offer contract that specify, in return for periodic payments to the institutions, and the institutions will make payments to the contract holders if any specified event occurs (Viney 2009). They include general indemnity companies and superannuation funds. As for U.S., their insurance companies raise money mainly from the issuance of insurance policies and collecting annual premiums. Some might also borrow from the dept capital markets as an alternative source of funds.Forsuperannuation funds, or more popularly known as pension funds in the U.S., they are funded by the deductions from employees monthly salary in extension with certain contribution by the employers (Cohen Schubert 2010). On the contrary, Australia have make it compulsory for their employees to contribute to the superannuation system (Cohen Schubert 2010) whereby for U.S., an estimated 78 gazillion working Americans which include the sole traders, employees who work for small employers or even part timers, do not have access to a retirement fund (Cohen Schubert 2010).For U.S., it has firstly introduced as a beneficial payment of employment whereas for Australia, it was created as a comprehensive system from the start (McLennan 2000).2.3.4 pay companiesFinance companies and general financiers are basically institutions who provide loans and charter finance to clients by borrowing funds right away from the financial market (Viney 2009). As for U.S., these institutions raise funds in the debt market by issuing securities. Therefore, they raise funds solely by issuing debt or borrowing from other institutions but not pickings deposits directly (Samolyk 2004). Similarly for Australia, they raise funds by issuing commercial paper, bonds and medium-term notes (Reserve Bank of Australia 2001).2.3.5 Unit trustsUnit trusts is formed under a trust deed, and is controlle d and managed by trustee by selling units to the reality as a means to raise funds whereby investors purchase units in the trust (Viney 2009). As for U.S., there are generally two types of unit trusts, one that travel under private management and another that falls under direct state authority.Their role mainly involves traditional banking activities that are related to issuance of loans and deposits. The major difference between private and state authority trust is state authority institutions obtain funds from deposits and through the sale of shares, whereas private institutions operate as an intermediaries by generating finance through providing investment opportunities to clients (Samolyk 2004).Likewise, Australia in addition has two different types which are public unit trusts and cash management trusts(Viney 2009). Public unit trusts focus more on gathering investors funds and investing it into specific types of assets (Viney 2009). However, for cash management trusts, they focus more on trust deed which are open to the public by confining their investment to financial securities which are accessible through the short-term money market (Viney 2009). 3.0 The impact of GFC3.1 United StatesThe birth of the orbiculate financial crisis begin somewhere in 2008. It all started in early 2006 when the subprime mortgage market in the United States (U.S.) began to reveal an increasing rate of mortgage defaults due to the bursting of the housing bubble (Mishkin 2011). Subsequently, in late 2006, these defaults caused a decline in the U.S. housing prices afterward about a decade of extremely richly growth statistics. Later on, the prime mortgage markets were affected as well and were showing a higher(prenominal) default rates by the end of 2007.Therefore, when the mortgages backing the securities began to fall in value, the value of the securities fell as well (Nielsen 2010). Looking at the fall in price of their assets, investors quickly attempt to liquidate th eir assets in around late 2007. Consequently, in 2008, a major financial crisis hit U.S. which led to the most grievous recession since World War II. The financial crisis in the U.S. economy eventually spread to many foreign nations, affecting the orbicular financial system, resulting in a global financial crisis (Shah 2010).The degree of the global financial crisis was so severe that some of the worlds largest financial institutions have collapsed. U.S. was no exception. History was made when one of the largest investment banks in the world, Lehman Brothers, collapsed in September 2008. Some other institutions have been vehemently bought out by their competitors at a low price, and in some cases, the governments of the richest countries in the world had no prime(a) but to sought an expensive bail out and rescue plan to save some of the rest large banks and financial institutions (Shah 2010).These were all done at the expense of the US taxpayers. Approximately $9.7 trillion of U S taxpayers money alone have been spent for bailout packages and plans (Dhameja 2010). According to Bloomberg, $14.5 trillion, or about 33%, of thevalue of the worlds companies have been wiped out by the crisis. Therefore, as credit became scarce and seeing an increase in the lack of confidence in the U.S. financial institutions, international banks started to increase the interest rate for inter-bank borrowing, known as the LIBOR (Mishkin 2011).Subsequently, a crash in the US stock market was observed, liquidness drying up, and employees were being laid off which cause an increase in the unemployment line (Dhameja 2010). U.S. was in a state of limbo even after eleven months since the fall of Lehman Brothers. Banks virtually stopped lending to each other. Although several proposals for stimulus packages and some bailout plans have provided some relief, it seems that there was nothing more that could be done to ease the situation (Mishkin 2011). At the very(prenominal) time, smalle r businesses hardly had any chances for a bail out or rescue plan and more people went into bankruptcy.Additionally, there was a decline in the US imports from its major trading partners such as the European marriage ceremony, Mexico and China, due to the slowdown in economic activity (Nanto 2009). Private sectors practically stopped borrowing, trade credit was also hard to obtain, and with continuous falling demand, especially investment goods and manufacturing durables like cars, exportation volume step-downs, foreign gross domestic product fell as well, trade volumes eventually collapsed (Dhameja 2010).Moreover, the risk premium on inter-bank borrowing which used to be close to zero, rose steeply to five per cent. Besides, the risk premium on corporate bonds rose to over six per cent. Although the US government time-tested to inject liquidity into the financial markets, the damage was already done (Chambers 2010). 3.2 AustraliaGFC has less effect on Australia as compared to ot her countries such as US, UK and etc. Most developed countries had suffered recessions where Australia experienced a down turn in the economy (Stevens 2009). However, there is no governments hold out required by the financial institutions in such situations like capital injections or the acquisition of distressed loan portfolios (Australia Bureau of Statistics 2010).The major impact of the GFC has resulted on the sledding of confidence in the household sector (Stevens 2009). This is due of the decline in the equity price causes a reduced of the household wealth (The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia 2009). Thus, this leads to an effect of low consumption and investment which resulted to a decline growth of household as they felt insecure about the capacity to spend and borrow (Australian governing n.d.).GFC has also impacted on the unemployment rate which result shown an increase of number that lead to a decrease in the economic growth (Australian Workers Union 2009). T he part-time employment has increased which balance to a loss of full time jobs where this also effect on the working hours such as the decrease hours in work (Chesters n.d.). Certain demographic groups have been affected by the job loss. For instance, the generation Y (18-24 years) has been affected (Tanton et al. 2010). However, they remain optimistic and relied heavily on the government benefit (Tanton et al. 2010).Moreover, competition in the banking system has also been affected by the GFC (Australian tops(predicate) Investment conference 2010) which resulted on harm towards the smaller banks and non-bank intermediaries as compared to the large banks where it leads to an increase in the cost of funds (The Senate 2011).Thus, this has impact on a greater chap between the major banks and other financial institutions (Australian Super Investment Conference 2010). The collapse of the Lehman Brothers, has led to a loss of confidence towards the banks which caused a decrease on th e demand for credit (Australian Super Investment Conference 2010).4.0 The response of GFC4.1 United StatesGFC had seriously impacted the United States (U.S.) as compared to other countries such as Australia where it leads to the collapse of one of the major investment banks, Lehman Brothers. Thus, plans had been made by the U.S. government in response to the impact to sustain the situations toworsen.In comparison to Australia, the financial institutions do not need government intervention to assist them such as injection of capital. Unlike U.S., the government intervene where the central banks has purchased the government debt and the troubled asset which cost US$2.5 trillion in order to raise funds in the financial institutions (Halmarick 2009).This has resulted in the largest liquidity injection done by the government. They tried to inject liquidity into banks by buying share of banks, and purchase of convertible bonds of banks, whereby the government will be paid certain amount interest and the government will be given an option to convert these bonds into equity (Nanto 2009).Furthermore, FED tried to reduce the interest rates by cutting the Fed Funds target from 5.0% in September 2007 to an extremely low 0-0.25% as at December 2008. Later on, in March 2009, Fed started a Quantitative Easing policy by agreeing to buy a $300 one zillion million in Treasury bonds (Halmarick 2009). The main purpose is to turn away the interest rates across the yield curve and to provide additional funds to the banks.Moreover, US tried to overcome slowdown by stimulus packages of about $10 trillion for banks and guarantees to depositors, and also enhanced public spending (Dhameja 2010). According to Bloomberg, by February 2009, the total US bailout amounted to $9.7 trillion, sufficient to pay off more than 90 per cent of Americas home mortgage and was about 70 per cent of US GDP (Halmarick 2009).In addition, President Obama signed two packages which are the American Recover y and Reinvestment Act worth $787 million and 5.5% of GDP. The main features include an estimated $285 billion in tax reduction for individuals and businesses, unemployment benefits, extra spending for food stamps, and also health care subsidies for workers that have been laid off (Halmarick 2009). These packages positively aim to generate at least three to four million job opportunities by the end of 2010.Additionally, US tried their best to observe more banks from failing. The first case was Fed approves financing loans arrangement for J.P. MorganChase to buy over surrender Sterns in March 2008. The second case was government controlled mortgage giant Freddie Mac received $146 million to ease their situation. Next, AIG borrowed $85 billion from Fed to prevent them from failing (Halmarick 2009). However, Fed couldnt do frequently to save Lehman Brothers from failing and thus they went into bankruptcy in 2008.Therefore, US government aim to strengthen the global financial instit ution mainly to prevent losses of capital flows due to the impact of GFC to the developing and emerging economy by agreed on the increase of funds (Australian Government n.d.). Besides, government also actively plans to purchase equity from the financial institutions to ensure there is a sufficient liquidity which enable them to conduct activities such as investment, issue loan and deposit and much more.GFC has caused a fall of confidence in the financial institutions. Thus, government had decided to guarantee all senior unsecured debt and also the non-interest bearing transaction deposit account mainly to increase the confidence losses in the financial institutions (Australian Government n.d.). 4.2 AustraliaAustralia had prepared by implementing an effective monetary and fiscal policy in response to the economy when one of the biggest investment bank in United States (US), Lehman Brothers collapsed in September 2008. This helps to avoid the economy from slowing down and decrease the impact of Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in Australia as compared to other countries such as US, where government responded on the measurement.In order to strengthen the operation of the financial system, government has increase up to $25 billion of the issue of Commonwealth Government Securities(Britton 2008), more choices of assets provided for Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) to invest in, together with a better lending facility of AOFM (Australian Government n.d.).In response to the recommendations of Financial Stability Forum, legislating has been introduced to establish Financial Claims Scheme (Britton 2008)where the availability of funds is given to the depositors and general insurance policyholders when the financial institutions failed to perpetrate (Australian Government n.d.). Besides, the bank deposits and wholesale funding is guaranteed by the government for a period of 3 years (DAloisio 2010).Additionally, the $10.4 billion Economic Security Strate gy has been carry on as this helps to strengthen and stabilize the economy (Australian Government n.d.). This aim to provide protection to households and other financial institutions to gain back confidence scattered due to GFC (Australia Bureau of Statistics 2010). Besides, First Home Owners Boost has been introduced mainly to assist the housing sector to score activity which benefits the economy (Australian Government n.d.).The competition in the market of housing finance has been supported by the government through the purchase of the Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS) (Australian Government n.d.). However, a total of $840 million has been taken out by RBA from RBMS under a repurchase agreement mainly to ensure there is sufficient liquidity in the market (Britton 2008).The naked and cover of the short sale securities has been ban for a period of 30 days by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (Helmes et al. 2009). However, a clarification of th e allowable covered shares has been issued by the ASIC in concern of the set requirement (Britton 2008). A draft legislation for the covered of short sales has been released by the government and it is open for the public to comment on till 21 October 2008 (Britton 2008).Government initiated the plan of Nation Building and Jobs Plan which cost around $42 billion which was mainly to support the jobs in the country where it supported an estimated of 90,000 jobs (Sherry 2009). This help to decrease the unemployment rate and then boost the economic growth where it encourages more activities and also to increase consumption in the economy (Sherry 2009).5.0 ConclusionIn conclusion, the global financial crisis (GFC) had brought so much damage not only to U.S. and Australia, but to the entire nations financial system globally. counterbalance some of the wealthiest nations saw the collapsed of its financial institutions while some had to undertake an extremely expensive bail-out package. As for U.S. they suffered more severely compared to Australia. This is because the Reserve Bank of Australia has taken measures in advance of the global financial crisis. Thus, they were not as heavily affected as compared to other countries.Therefore, U.S. should learn from Australia by implementing policies ahead of any unexpected crisis to decrease the impact and damage done to their financial system. Evidently, it is better for them to prevent and be prepared rather than solution an issue when the damage has already been done. The policies implemented should include healthy control of the discount rate, reserve requirement and also minimal inflation targeting such as two to three per cent.The right policy effectuation will lead to full employment in the country, a healthy level of economic activity and international trades, which will eventually increase the countrys GDP to an optimal and desirable level.(4203 words) enumerate of ReferencesAustralia Bureau of Statistics 2010, T he global financial crisis and its impact on Australia, Viewed 8 whitethorn 2012, .Australian Government n.d., vocalization 2 The Governments Response to the Global Financial Crisis, Viewed 10 may 2012, .Australian Super Investment Conference 2010, The GFC and its impact on Australian capital markets, Viewed 12 whitethorn 2012, .Australian Workers Union 2009, The impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Australian Workers, Viewed 12 May 2012, .Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 2008, Federal Reserve Act,viewed 2 May 2012,Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 2012, Federal Open Market Committee, viewed 2 May 2012, http//www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomc.htm.Britton, H 2008, Government response to the Global Financial Crisis, Viewed 9 May 2012, .Chambers, C 2010, US financial recovery Political regulations or a plan for the time to come?, Journal of Banking Regulation, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 240-255, viewed 5 May 2012, retrieved from EBSCOhost databas e.Chesters, J n.d., The Global Financial Crisis in Australia, Viewed 10 May 2012, .Cohen, J Schubert, S 2010, Russells experience in Australia provides lessons for U.S. retirement plan sponsors, Viewed 14 May 2012, .Cook, RC 2008, Impacts of the Financial Crisis The U.S. is becoming an Impoverished Nation, viewed 5 May 2012, .DAloisio, T 2010, Responding to the financial crisis ASIC story, Viewed 8 May 2012, .Dhameja, N 2010, Global Financial Crisis Impact, Challenges Way-out, The Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, vol. 45, no. 3, viewed 6 May 2012, retrieved from EBSCOhost database.Finance Maps of World 2011, Depository Financial Institution, Viewed 14 May 2012, .Halmarick, S 2009, The Global Policy Response-The unprecedented becomes banal, Colonial First State Global Asset Management, viewed 5 May 2012.Helmes, U, Henker, J Henker, T 2009, How the Australian ban on short selling during the GFC affected market quality, Viewed 11 May 2012, .Ireland, PN n.d. 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