Shells, gold, cows, barley, salt, beads, copper, animal skins. What do all of these things have in common? At one time or another, all of these things functioned as money..that is, they served as a store of value, were a medium of exchange, and provided a unit of account. However, few of these Items provided the characteristics needed to make "good" money. Portability (it is difficult to carry a cow around in your pocket), divisibility (it is also difficult to divide a cow), and durability (salt tends to dissolve when wet) are things we look for in our money today. Banks have played a critical part in how our money has evolved over time, as well as how money is used in society, Originally acting as storehouses and safe keepers of gold and jewels, banks have moved from handling checks and cash, to moving funds through electronic data. In addition, banks have been at the forefront of delivering all sorts of financial services to individuals and businesses. Let's begin to explore how money and banking have changed over the years. Essential Questions What are the characteristics and functions of money? What role does banking serve in the economy? How do the various types of financial institutions compare in function and form? What services do banks provide? How can a bank benefit an individual