Banking Explained – Money and Credit

Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell5 minutes read

The international banking system consists of over 30,000 banks globally, with the top 10 banks holding approximately 25 trillion US-Dollars in assets. Banking originated in 11th century Italy to simplify trading and manage multiple currencies, with banks today focusing on risk management, lending, and facilitating economic activities, but faced a crisis in 2008 due to risky practices, causing a collapse in the housing market, global financial crisis, job losses, and the implementation of new regulations.

Insights

  • The international banking system is vast, with over 30,000 banks worldwide, and the top 10 banks alone hold a staggering 25 trillion US-Dollars in assets.
  • The 2008 banking crisis, triggered by risky practices, resulted in a global financial crisis, housing market collapse, significant job losses, and the implementation of strict regulations to avert future crises, highlighting the crucial role of responsible risk management in the banking sector.

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Recent questions

  • What is the origin of banking?

    Banking originated in 11th century Italy to simplify trading by addressing the issue of multiple currencies, leading to the term "bank" from the Italian word "banco" meaning "bench".

  • How many banks are in the international banking system?

    The international banking system comprises over 30,000 banks globally.

  • What caused the banking crisis in 2008?

    The banking crisis in 2008 was caused by risky practices, leading to a collapse in the housing market, global financial crisis, massive job losses, and the implementation of new regulations to prevent future crises.

  • What are the primary functions of banks today?

    Banks today primarily engage in risk management by accepting deposits, lending at higher interest rates, and providing resources for economic activities like buying homes or expanding businesses.

  • How much assets do the top 10 banks hold?

    The top 10 banks hold around 25 trillion US-Dollars in assets.

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Summary

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Evolution and Impact of International Banking

  • The international banking system comprises over 30,000 banks globally, with the top 10 banks holding around 25 trillion US-Dollars in assets.
  • Banking originated in 11th century Italy to simplify trading by addressing the issue of multiple currencies, leading to the term "bank" from the Italian word "banco" meaning "bench".
  • Banks today primarily engage in risk management by accepting deposits, lending at higher interest rates, and providing resources for economic activities like buying homes or expanding businesses.
  • The banking industry faced a crisis in 2008 due to risky practices, leading to a collapse in the housing market, global financial crisis, massive job losses, and the implementation of new regulations to prevent future crises.
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