Banks and other depository institutions make loans, invest in government securities, buy and sell federal funds, and accept deposits with a wide spectrum of maturities and with many payable on demand. Furthermore, depository institutions are the principal repositories of the public's liquid assets and many of these institutions' liabilities are considered a means of payment (money).

(a) Briefly discuss the risks facing these institutions within the context of how these institutions can have such a wide variety of assets and liabilities and still maintain their ability to make illiquid loans, meet deposit withdrawals on demand, and make profits for their shareholders.

Within this context, discuss the effect of different yield curve structures (upward sloping, downward sloping, or flat) on the profitability and riskiness of banks choices of loans, investments, and liabilities (deposits).