Background
A checking account, often referred to as a transactional account or demand deposit account, is a type of bank account that allows for easy access to funds for daily transactions. Money held in a checking account can be withdrawn on-demand through various methods such as writing checks, using debit cards, or electronic transfers.
Historical Context
Introduced as a convenient way to manage personal finances, the concept of checking accounts can be traced back to ancient civilizations where methods to transfer funds between parties were essential for trade. However, the modern checking account as known today began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the advent of organized banking systems and widespread use of checks.
Definitions and Concepts
Checking Account: An account with a US commercial bank that can be drawn on without notice, either in cash or by writing a cheque. Until recently, such accounts paid no interest. The UK equivalent is known as a current account.
Related Concepts
- Demand Deposits: Funds in a checking account that can be withdrawn on demand without any advance notice.
- Overdraft Protection: A feature often associated with checking accounts to prevent transactions from exceeding account balance.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
In Classical Economics, checking accounts facilitate the convertibility of short-term financial assets into cash, reflecting the cogency of money as a medium of exchange.
Neoclassical Economics
Checking accounts play a role in liquidity preferences and the choice of individuals to hold money for transaction purposes, a notion prominent in Neoclassical Economics.
Keynesian Economic
The role of checking accounts in Keynesian Economics underscores their importance in aggregate demand management, influencing spending patterns and thus overall economic activity.
Marxian Economics
Checking accounts in a Marxist analysis may be scrutinized through the lens of capital circulation systems and the efficiency of financial intermediation.
Institutional Economics
From an Institutional viewpoint, checking accounts serve as a primary tool for participation in the economy, reflecting institutional reliability and accessibility to banking services.
Behavioral Economics
Behavioral Economics interprets the usage patterns of checking accounts, including consumer behavior concerning overdrafts and financial planning.
Post-Keynesian Economics
Post-Keynesian perspectives emphasize the role of checking accounts in generating endogenous money, tying individual banking choices to broader economic cycles.
Austrian Economics
In Austrian Economics, checking accounts are seen as facilitative tools for transactions, focusing on individual choice and the subjective valuation of monetary reserves.
Development Economics
Within Development Economics, the availability and terms of checking accounts reflect financial inclusion and accessibility in developing economies.
Monetarism
Monetarists consider checking accounts critical to the money supply, impacting inflation levels and policy applications.
Comparative Analysis
Case Studies
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Money, Banking, and Financial Markets” by Frederic S. Mishkin
- “The Economics of Money, Banking, and Financial Markets” by Frederic S. Mishkin and Stanley G. Eakins
- “Macroeconomics” by N. Gregory Mankiw
Related Terms with Definitions
- Current Account: The UK equivalent of a checking account, allowing similar access and transactional capabilities.
- Savings Account: A bank account that earns interest over time but typically has limitations on how quickly funds can be accessed.
- Cheque: A written, dated, and signed instrument that contains an unconditional order to pay a specific amount of money to the bearer or designated person.
