Checkable Deposits

What are Checkable Deposits

Checkable deposits, often familiar as current or demand accounts, are types of bank accounts from which you can make withdrawals at any time. These can include withdrawals through different methods, such as cheque, cash, electronic debit, or transfer.

Funds in checkable deposit accounts are used for day-to-day expenses rather than for savings or investment purposes. You might use your checkable deposit to pay bills, buy groceries, or cover other transactional expenses. These accounts are exceptionally attractive for their liquidity and ease of access.

Definition and Importance of Checkable Deposits

While checkable deposits seem to be straightforward banking facilities, their importance in macroeconomics is undeniable, primarily because they form a substantial part of a country's money supply.

Checkable Deposits Are Classified as Money Because...

You may wonder why checkable deposits are classified as money. After all, they aren't physical currency. The answer lies in the definition of money in the context of economics.

Role of Checkable Deposits in Economics of Money

Checkable deposits are a cornerstone within the economics of money, primarily for their function as a medium of exchange. As stated earlier, they are a component of the M1 Money Supply, which represents the most accessible, easy-to-spend money in a nation's economy. Besides the monetary aspect, checkable deposits also facilitate transactions and smooth economic activity.

The contribution of checkable deposits to the M1 Money Supply can be represented using the formula:

where \( M1 \) represents the total money supply at the most liquid level, \( C \) stands for physical currency in circulation, and \( CD \) denotes checkable deposits.

Delving into the Components of Checkable Deposits

In your macroeconomics studies, there's a need to dissect what precisely is within the checkable deposits concept. Let's take a closer look.

Checkable Deposits Include...

Checkable deposits comprise various components, and those can vary from bank to bank. Nonetheless, there are common elements you're more likely to find in all checkable deposit accounts. They are incredibly popular due to their mix of easy access and functionality.

• Bank cheques – This is the traditional form wherein you can write a personal cheque drawn directly from your account funds.
• Debit cards – Such cards are linked directly to your checkable deposit account, allowing you to withdraw cash or make transactions digitally.
• Online banking – Today's technological era has transformed the way you execute transactions. Your checkable deposit accounts can be accessed and managed online, enabling you to make payments, transfer funds, or check your account balance at your convenience.
• Automatic transfer services – This feature allows you to set up regular payments such as rents, subscriptions, or bill payments. Payments are directly transferred from your checkable deposit account, ensuring timely payment and little risk of forgetting due dates.

Types of Checkable Deposits

Under the umbrella of checkable deposits, several precise types are categorised. The two chief ones are demand deposits and Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) accounts.

Are Checkable Deposits Included in M1?

Yes, absolutely. Checkable deposits form a significant portion of the M1 money supply in any economy, which also includes currency (notes and coins) that are in circulation.

Understanding M1 and Checkable Deposits Relation

As stated before, M1 represents the money supply that embodies the most liquid forms of payment—essentially, money that can be used for transactions immediately. Because of their high liquidity and ease of use, checkable deposits represent a critical part of this money supply.

Moreover, the role of checkable deposits extends beyond their place in M1. They provide financial institutions with a source of funds for loans, thus facilitating the lending side of the banking business. This often leads to money creation, further contributing to the money supply.

Thus, understanding the concept of checkable deposits contributes to a more excellent knowledge of macroeconomic indicators such as M1, a country's economic health and the overall functioning of banking institutions.

As mentioned earlier the formula to represent M1 in macroeconomics context is:

where \( M1 \) represents total M1 money supply, \( C \) represents physical currency in circulation, and \( CD \) stands for checkable deposits.

Characteristics and Examples of Checkable Deposits

Understanding checkable deposits in macroeconomics involves delving into their key characteristics and examples. These deposits, forming an integral part of an economy's money supply, have unique properties that set them apart from other types of bank deposits.

Key Characteristics of Checkable Deposits

Checkable deposits, popularly known as demand deposits or current accounts, have several defining characteristics. These are bank accounts that allow you as an account holder to make withdrawals at any given moment. Such withdrawals can be carried out using various methods, such as issuing cheques, withdrawing cash through an ATM, or carrying out electronic money transfers. The defining characteristics of checkable deposits are as follows:

• Liquidity: One of the most noteworthy characteristics of checkable deposits is their high degree of liquidity. With these deposits, you can immediately access your money when you need it, which is why they are part of M1 in the money supply.
• Unlimited Transactions: At any given time, you can undertake an unlimited number of financial transactions from your checkable deposit account. This transaction facility includes cheques, debit card utilisation, or electronic funds transfers.
• No Maturity: Unlike certain types of bank accounts, checkable deposits don't have a fixed maturity date. You can continue to keep your funds in the account as long as you wish without any preset expiry date for the account itself.
• Interest: Traditionally, checkable deposits didn't pay out interest. However, this has changed in recent years, and institutions such as mutual savings banks often offer interest on checkable deposits.
• Overdraft Facilities: Many banks provide an overdraft facility with checkable deposit accounts. It means that even if you momentarily lack sufficient funds in your account, you can still make payments, with the deficit forming a short-term loan from the bank.

Additionally, checkable deposits are also thoroughly regulated by banking institutions. Banks are required by the Federal Reserve to maintain a fraction of deposits as reserves, a rule known as the reserve requirement. As such, checkable deposits also have implications on credit conditions and monetary policy within an economic system.

Checkable Deposits Example

Let's delve into an example to understand checkable deposits better in practice. Suppose you work in a business where your salary is credited into your 'current account' or 'demand account'– your checkable deposit. This account does not have a maturity date– the funds can be kept there as long as you want.

The account gives you access to your salary immediately, providing high liquidity. You can make numerous transactions, such as paying rent or bills, grocery shopping, and other day-to-day expenses, by simply writing cheques or using your debit card linked to the account. The ability to carry out limitless transactions without prior notice increases the utility and attractiveness of these accounts for everyday use.

Furthermore, if an unexpected expense arises, and you don't have enough funds in your account, you can still issue a cheque thanks to the overdraft facility that many banks offer with checkable deposits. Suppose your washing machine suddenly breaks down, and the repair costs exceed the balance in your account. You could write a cheque or use your debit card to pay the repair bill. Your account would then go into overdraft—effectively a short-term loan from the bank—and you'd usually have to pay interest on the overdraft amount until you deposit sufficient funds into the account to cover the overdraft.

And let's not forget that modern checkable deposits may also gain interest over time. Although the rates won't be high, it's still a significant shift from the traditional image of checkable deposits as non-interest-bearing accounts.

In a nutshell, checkable deposits are versatile and highly applicable bank accounts that provide high liquidity, making them crucial components of the macroeconomic landscape.

Examining Changes in Checkable Deposits

Macroeconomics often involves analysing changes in key economic parameters. Checkable deposits, forming an important component of an economy's M1 money supply, are no different. Several factors can cause these deposits to increase or decrease, which can have a significant impact on the economy's overall money supply.

Causes for Change in Checkable Deposits

Checkable deposits can undergo fluctuations based on various factors that can influence the overall money supply and banking habits. Here are the primary aspects that can cause changes in checkable deposits:

• Economic Conditions: The state of the economy plays a pivotal role in determining the amount of checkable deposits within a nation. During prosperous times, increased employment rates lead to higher income levels, often resulting in a rise in checkable deposits. Conversely, in times of economic decline or recession, unemployment and reduced earnings can contribute to a decrease in checkable deposits.
• Changes in Interest Rates: Interest rates declared by the central bank can significantly influence the amount of checkable deposits. Higher interest rates make loans more expensive, encouraging saving over borrowing, resulting in a rise in checkable deposits. On the other hand, lower interest rates encourage people to borrow and spend, often leading to a decrease in checkable deposits.
• Bank Policies: The policies adopted by banks can also adjust the amount of checkable deposits. Banks can increase or reduce the interest offered on these deposits to attract or deter customers, impacting the total amount of checkable deposits. They can also introduce charges or limits on transactions which may encourage or discourage use of checkable deposits.
• Technological Advancements: The advent of digital banking and increased usage of online platforms for transactions has made checkable deposits more convenient to use, often leading to an increase in such deposits. However, cashless technology alternatives like mobile wallets might steer some portion of money away from checkable deposits.

Impact of Changes in Checkable Deposits on Economics of Money

The fluctuations in checkable deposits hold substantial sway over the economics of money. Here's how changes in checkable deposits can impact different macroeconomic elements:

• Money Supply: An increase in checkable deposits typically leads to an increase in the M1 money supply. This is because checkable deposits form a large portion of M1. The expansion in money supply tends to lower interest rates, stimulating economic activity by making borrowing cheaper. However, an excessive increase in money supply may lead to inflation.
• Banking Operations: Checkable deposits are crucial to the operations of banking institutions. They provide necessary capital which banks lend to borrowers. Hence, higher checkable deposits can mean more funds available for lending, stimulating business activity and contributing to economic growth. A significant reduction in checkable deposits could restrict the lending capacity of banks, potentially slowing economic activity.
• Consumer Spending: Checkable deposits directly influence consumer spending habits. When checkable deposits rise, consumers are likely to have more disposable income, increasing consumer expenditure, which stimulates economic growth. A reduction in checkable deposits might signify lower disposable income and potentially lesser consumer spending.
• Liquidity Preference: Changes in checkable deposits can affect the public's liquidity preference– the desire to hold assets in the most liquid form. A rise in checkable deposits, given their high liquidity, would indicate a stronger liquidity preference. A decrease might suggest a shift toward less liquid assets, such as bonds or shares.

Remember, changes in checkable deposits can have ripple effects on other key macroeconomic indicators. For instance, an increased money supply due to a rise in checkable deposits can trigger inflation if not properly controlled. This inflation is calculated using the concept of velocity of money and can be represented by the famous equation of exchange:

where \( M \) represents the total money supply including checkable deposits, \( V \) is the velocity of money, \( P \) is the average price level, and \( T \) is the index of expenditures.

If the amount of checkable deposits \( M \) increases dramatically without a corresponding increase in \( T \), economies might face increased price levels \( P \), resulting in inflation. Thus, monitoring changes in checkable deposits is crucial for central banks and monetary policy makers to manage economic stability and growth.