Educational component BASIC FACTS Welcome to the Educational Component! The main aim of the Educational Component on the CBBH web site is to promote economic literacy and the dissemination of knowledge. How financial services function and their transparency depend very much on client understanding. Entrepreneurs and others must have sufficient information to understand these services and markets. Only well-informed clients are keen to contract new financial services. Once financial services are widely-used and efficient, they can contribute to an enabling business environment. Consumer protection also depends on unbiased information about financial services. This component will provide in-depth information on key financial services related to capital markets, leasing, and factoring. (Banking sector issues have been thoroughly elaborated in other parts of the CBBH's web site and print publications) Future work will cover other financial markets and activities, depending on relevance and developments within BiH. The issues covered have been chosen and treated so as to provide sufficient information for non-professionals in search of basic theoretical knowledge and information on how these financial services work in practice. We believe that we have provided a comprehensive overview of these financial services. The explanations are not meant to be exhaustive or highly technical. They aim to present basic facts in a way that is suitable for graduates. Readers will find useful links, with suggestions for further reading and where to access more detailed information. As well as the general principles and key terminology, we have paid special attention to local conditions in BiH, with information on local regulations, how developed each sector is, key institutions, availability of services, etc. These materials have been prepared by experts in the relevant fields, ensuring relevance and accuracy. (The CBBH will update the content on a regular basis, but cannot guarantee absolute accuracy at any future time, as the financial sector is a rapidly developing one.) CURRENTLY AVAILABLE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS Factoring Leasing Capital markets Banks and Banking Services Exchange Rates Effective Interest Rates Variable Interest Rate Dispute resolution - Complaint procedure Loan contract – important elements COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER USAID, in partnership with the CBBH, is facilitating the publication in electronic format of educational materials on the CBBH website. This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by web site education consultants, Esma Mustajbašić and Almir Peštek, for the USAID Partnership for Advancing Reform in Economy (PARE). The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. The CBBH core web application and all other content (i.e. excluding the Educational Component) remain in the exclusive copyright and ownership of the CBBH.