@Furgar That is incorrect. When you deposit cash into a bank, you are parting with a money substitute, and that claim is then classed as a deposit subject to cheque on the bank's books. While they loan funds out to entities, to say that banks "gamble on international markets" is disingenuous because you wouldn't say that you loaning a friend $20 is "gambling on the local market", especially considering the bank has more legal recourse to take you to court if you don't pay them than you do.