Disintermediation refers to the process whereby investors transfer their savings from traditional financial intermediaries, such as banks and savings and loan associations, directly into money market instruments. These instruments include U.S. Treasury bills and notes, which may offer better returns, especially during periods of rising interest rates.
Understanding Disintermediation
Causes and Effects
Rising Interest Rates: When interest rates rise, the returns on direct investments in money market instruments often become more attractive than traditional savings accounts.
Higher Returns: Investors may receive a higher return by bypassing financial intermediaries and investing directly in instruments such as U.S. Treasury bills and notes.
Impact on Financial Intermediaries: This movement reduces the funds available to banks and savings and loan associations for lending and other purposes. As a result, financial intermediaries might have to increase the interest rates they offer on deposits to attract and retain savers.
Types of Money Market Instruments
- U.S. Treasury Bills: Short-term government securities with maturities ranging from a few days to 52 weeks.
- U.S. Treasury Notes: Government securities with maturities ranging between one and ten years, providing regular interest payments.
Historical Context
1970s and 1980s
The term “disintermediation” gained prominence during the 1970s and 1980s when high inflation and subsequent high-interest rates prompted many savers to move their funds from traditional savings accounts to money market funds and direct investments in Treasury securities.
Special Considerations
Regulatory Environment: Changes in government regulations and policies can influence the degree of disintermediation. For instance, the deregulation of interest rates on savings accounts in the 1980s played a role in increasing disintermediation.
Economic Conditions: Macroeconomic factors like inflation, economic growth, and changes in the business cycle can affect the rate and degree of disintermediation.
Examples and Comparisons
Example Scenario
During a period of economic volatility, interest rates begin to rise. An investor holding a traditional savings account with a low-interest rate finds that U.S. Treasury bills are offering significantly higher returns. The investor decides to withdraw their savings and purchase Treasury bills directly, thus participating in disintermediation.
Comparison with Reintermediation
Reintermediation: The reverse process where funds are moved back into traditional financial intermediaries. This can occur during periods of economic stability or declining interest rates when traditional savings accounts become comparatively more attractive.
Related Terms
Financial Intermediary: An institution that facilitates the channeling of funds between savers and borrowers.
Money Market: A segment of the financial market in which financial instruments with high liquidity and short maturities are traded.
Treasury Securities: Government debt instruments issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to finance government spending.
FAQs
What triggers disintermediation?
How does disintermediation impact banks?
Is disintermediation a long-term trend?
References
- Mishkin, F. S. (2018). The Economics of Money, Banking, and Financial Markets.
- Fabozzi, F. J. (2009). Bond Markets, Analysis, and Strategies.
- Historical Statistics of the United States.
Summary
Disintermediation reflects a significant shift in how savers choose to invest their funds, driven mainly by the pursuit of higher returns amid rising interest rates. This movement can profoundly impact financial intermediaries, necessitating adjustments in their strategies to retain funds. Understanding the dynamics of disintermediation is crucial for both investors and financial institutions navigating the complex financial landscape.
