Interbank Market Transactions: Spot, Forward, and Swap Transactions Explained

Posted on 2023-05-01

The interbank market is where banks and financial institutions trade with each other, with the transactions taking place outside of exchanges. There are several types of transactions that occur in the interbank market, including spot, forward, and swap transactions.


Spot Transactions:
A spot transaction is the exchange of one currency for another at the current exchange rate. This transaction settles within two business days after the trade date. In the interbank market, spot transactions are usually for large amounts of currency and involve banks or financial institutions.

Forward Transactions:
A forward transaction is an agreement between two parties to exchange currencies at a future date, with the exchange rate locked in at the time of the agreement. This allows businesses to hedge against currency risk by locking in a future exchange rate. Forward transactions are popular in the interbank market because they allow institutions to manage currency risk and lock in profits.

Swap Transactions:
A currency swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange currency at a certain rate on a certain date and then reverse the transaction at a later date. The purpose of a currency swap is to help institutions manage their cash flow by borrowing currency in one market and then lending it in another. The swap rate is determined by the prevailing interest rate in each market.

In summary, the interbank market is an important part of the global financial system, providing liquidity and allowing financial institutions to manage currency risk. Spot transactions, forward transactions, and swap transactions are the most common types of transactions that take place in the interbank market. Understanding these transactions and how they work can help traders and investors make better decisions in the forex market.

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