=2.= It will be seen that in a multitude of transactions of this character, a very large amount of money is required by the broker, to carry on his business successfully. As very few of them have the amount of capital necessary, they resort to bank loans. Banks are very willing to loan money with listed stocks as collateral security, and frequently do so at favorable rates for the broker. This rate is determined by the condition of the money market, but is invariably less than the rate of interest charged to the client.
=3.= Purchases of grain at a stipulated price differ from stock purchases, inasmuch as the full amount of the purchase does not have to be paid until the delivery of the goods, although there are frequently charges, such as storage and insurance, which must be made upon long time purchases. These charges do not accrue, however, until after delivery. If a customer buys fifty thousand bushels of wheat in April for September delivery, the purchase is made by the brokers at the earliest date possible, in order to avoid any fluctuation of the market. When the broker makes the purchase he pays over the amount necessary to secure the same. If the deal is carried through to maturity, the grain is delivered to the broker who has made the purchase for his client, and is in turn delivered to the client upon the payment of the balance due, including all charges upon the same.
It is frequently the case, however, that before the actual delivery takes place, the client has ordered the broker to sell a sufficient amount to cover the deal. This may be either at an advance or a decline from the price purchased, but in either case the broker receives his commissions for both transactions—buying and selling.
=4.= Investors who are always figuring upon an advance in prices are termed _bulls_, and those who are confident of lower prices are termed _bears_. If a seller sells for future delivery what he does not own, he is termed _short_ and becomes temporarily a buyer, in order that he may have a sufficient amount to fill his orders. If a buyer holds stock or grain for a rise, or contracts for future delivery, he is termed _long_ and becomes temporarily a seller, seeking to bring his holdings down to the normal demand.