What is a bank?: Linking all key banking functions

You have probably purchased quite a number of financial products but are you aware of the impact of your choices on the strategies of the professionals? Do you realise that your optimism or pessimism results in a change in the promotion of certain products, a change in the flows of funds throughout the industry? You have an impact on the cost of funds, on the assets and liabilities, on the earnings and on much more than that! In fact, you are influencing the markets! But, which markets are we talking about and what is their relationship with the financial services providers? What are the connections?