For the public to participate in the establishments and government agencies‘ quest to get financing, they can avail of the numerous financial products for consumers being offered. Kinds are identified based on the risk and returns they present. To better decide on which instrument to take, getting to know them would be necessary.

Citizens are invited to participate in the public offers of some companies or government agencies called bonds. Bonds are issued to support the operations of the organizations issuing them. These allow them to borrow a sum of money from the different participants for a fixed interest rate which means a lower associated risk. Amounts can be totally paid several years after the issuance.

For shorter term needs, Treasury bills otherwise referred to as T bills are also invitations for creditors. They are issued by the government at certain times of the year to gain financing for short term projects. Payments are made in less than a year; in fact, the longest duration for maturation is 6 months in which the creditors get the amount plus the interest rate.

Short term notes are more or less similar to government bonds in that their interest rates are fixed; however, they are issued by financing institutions such as banks for a period of one to five years. These tap issues can be subscribed to at anytime of the year unlike government bonds that can only be available four times annually.

To participate in the ownership and decision making of, and even get profit from a certain company, paying for shares would be a good way. Investors who provide money for the institutions to finance their needs are guaranteed receiving dividends at a frequency determined by the company itself.

Citizens can also avail of another form of shares known as investment funds issued by brokerage firms, insurance companies and banks. In this case, investors do not hand out their money to finance a manufacturing or service providing company; rather, they focus on services related to financial or real estate assets.

Warrants and options are instruments issued for citizens to buy and sell rights on the shares. Warrants take effect for a longer period in contrast with the other and they also have more potential for increasing the capital.

In order for citizens to decide better on what course of action to take for the financial products for consumers, they can find an adviser. These people would be able to help individuals assess the pros and cons of each instrument in order to get the best returns and lower risks.

insurance continuing education classes