Glossary Terms:

Something of monetary value owned by an individual or an organization.

A financial institution that provides various products and services to its customers, including checking and savings accounts, loans and currency exchange.

A share of a company's net profits paid to stockholders.

Money paid regularly, at a particular rate, for the use of borrowed money.

The price paid for using someone else's money, expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed.

The process of putting money someplace with the intention of making a financial gain. Investment possibilities include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and other financial instruments or ventures.

The purchase of capital goods (including machinery, technology or new buildings) that are used to produce goods and services. In personal finance, the amount of money invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investment instruments.

Places, institutions or technological arrangements where or by means of which goods or services are exchanged. Also, the set of all sale and purchase transactions that affect the price of some good or service.

Anything that is generally accepted as final payment for goods and services; serves as a medium of exchange, a store of value and a standard of value. Characteristics of money are portability, stability in value, uniformity, durability and acceptance.

A pool of money used by a company to purchase a variety of stocks, bonds or money market instruments. Provides diversification and professional management for investors.

The amount of money that people pay when they buy a good or service; the amount they receive when they sell a good or service.

Earnings from an investment, usually expressed as an annual percentage.

Money set aside for a future use that is held in easily-accessed accounts, such as savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs).

An ownership share or shares of ownership in a corporation.

A market in which the public trades stock that someone already owns; the buying and selling of stock.