
In the US economy, savings deposits are a crucial component of the money supply. Savings deposits are actually part of M1, which includes all physical currency and checking deposits.
Savings deposits are not included in M2, which also includes time deposits, money market deposits, and other liquid assets. This is because savings deposits are considered a type of checking deposit.
The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the US, tracks M1 and M2 to understand the money supply and make monetary policy decisions. Savings deposits are included in M1 because they are easily accessible and can be withdrawn at any time.
The distinction between M1 and M2 is important for understanding how the money supply is affected by changes in savings deposits.
What Are M1 and M2?
M1 includes currency in circulation plus all overnight deposits. This measure is the narrowest of the three provided by the European Central Bank.
M2 builds on M1 by adding deposits redeemable at notice of up to three months and deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years. This means M2 is a broader measure than M1.
To understand the difference between M1 and M2, think of M1 as the cash in your wallet and the money in your checking account, while M2 includes those items as well as some savings accounts that can be accessed with a bit more notice.
What Is M1?

M1 is a measure of the money supply that includes currency, demand deposits, and other liquid deposits like savings deposits. This is because it contains assets that can be quickly converted to cash.
M1 is considered the narrowest measure of money because it only includes the most liquid portions of the money supply. This means it's the part of the money supply that can be easily converted into cash.
M1 includes currency in circulation, which is the physical money circulating in the economy. It also includes all overnight deposits, which are funds deposited into a bank account that can be withdrawn on the next business day.
The European Central Bank provides a definition of M1 as currency in circulation plus all overnight deposits. This shows that M1 is an important measure of the money supply that can be used to understand the economy.
Definitions of Value in the US
The Federal Reserve in the United States provides two main measures of money, M1 and M2. M1 is the narrowest measure, while M2 is the broadest.
M1 consists of currency in circulation, travelers' checks of nonbank issuers, demand deposits, and other checkable deposits.
Definitions of Japan

The Bank of Japan uses three measures of money, known as M1, M2, and M3. These measures are used to track the money supply in Japan.
M1 is the narrowest measure, and it includes coins and bills in circulation plus deposits. This measure gives a snapshot of the most liquid money in the economy.
M2 includes all the items in M1, plus certificates of deposit. This adds a layer of money that's not as liquid as cash, but still easily accessible.
M3 is the broadest measure, and it includes the items in M2, plus savings and deposits at financial institutions and post offices. This gives a comprehensive view of the entire money supply in Japan.
Savings Deposits and Regulation
Regulation D has made savings deposits as convenient as currency, allowing them to be included in M1.
Before April 24, 2020, savings accounts were not part of M1 due to limitations on transfers from savings deposits.
Regulation D Makes Savings Deposits Convenient

Regulation D has made savings deposits as convenient as currency. Prior to April 24, 2020, savings accounts were not part of M1, but now they are just as liquid and convenient as currency, demand deposits, and other highly liquid accounts.
Savings deposits are now included in M1, which consists of currency, demand deposits, and other liquid deposits. Other liquid deposits are the sum of OCDs and savings deposits, making up about 70% of M1.
The value of M1 has increased substantially, from around $5 trillion to $16 trillion, as of May 2020. This change is a clear break in the time series.
It's no longer possible to reconstruct the old measure of M1 because OCDs and savings deposits are not reported separately anymore.
Definitions of Value in Europe
In Europe, the concept of value is defined in various ways, but one key aspect is the monetary system. The European Central Bank provides three measures of money – M1, M2, and M3, which are used to track the money supply.

M1 is the narrowest measure, consisting of currency in circulation plus all overnight deposits. This means that any cash or deposits that can be withdrawn or used immediately are included in M1.
M2 is a broader measure that includes all items in M1, plus deposits redeemable at notice of up to three months and deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years. This gives a more comprehensive view of the money supply.
M3 is the broadest measure, which includes all items in M2, plus repurchase agreements, money market fund shares, money market paper, and debt securities issued with a maturity of fewer than two years. This measure provides a detailed picture of the entire money supply in Europe.
UK Value Definitions
In the UK, the Bank of England uses four measures of money to track the value of deposits. These measures are M0, M2, M4, and M3H.
M0 is the narrowest measure, consisting of currency in circulation plus bankers' deposits at the Bank of England. This is the most basic definition of money in the UK.

M2 includes all the items in M0, plus retail bank deposits. This is a broader measure that captures more types of deposits.
M4 is the broadest measure, including all the items in M2, certificates of deposits, and wholesale bank and building society deposits. It's the most comprehensive measure of money in the UK.
M3H is an additional measure that includes all the items in M4, plus foreign currency deposits in banks and building societies. This measure is used for comparisons with other countries.
Measuring M1/M2
The M1 money supply includes all physical currency, traveler's checks, demand deposits, and other checkable deposits like checking accounts. This is the most liquid form of money in an economy.
M1 is a narrow measure of money supply, but the M2 money supply is broader and includes all components of M1 as well as "near money". Near money includes savings deposits, money market securities, and other time deposits.
The M2 money supply is less liquid than M1, but its components can still be quickly converted into cash or checking deposits.
Measuring M1/M2

The M1 money supply includes all physical currency, traveler's checks, demand deposits, and other checkable deposits, such as checking accounts. This measure only accounts for the most liquid forms of money in an economy.
M2 is a broader measure of money supply that includes all components of M1, as well as "near money" like savings deposits and money market securities. These elements can still be quickly converted into cash or checking deposits.
The M1 money supply is instant, whereas the components of the M2 money supply take a bit longer to convert into cash or checking deposits. This is because M2 includes less liquid forms of money compared to M1.
M2 includes savings deposits, money market securities, and other time deposits which are less liquid than the components of M1.
M1 Supply: High Levels Explained
The M1 money supply has been on the rise, and it's essential to understand why. In May 2020, the Federal Reserve changed the official formula for calculating M1.

This change was a significant one, expanding the definition to include other liquid deposits, such as savings accounts. The M1 money supply was previously calculated based on currency in circulation, demand deposits at commercial banks, and other checkable deposits.
The expansion of the definition led to a sharp spike in the reported value of the M1 money supply. The new formula took effect in May 2020, and the impact was immediate.
Narrow vs. Broad
In the world of finance, there are two types of money: narrow money and broad money. Narrow money is what we commonly think of as money, including bills and coins used for everyday transactions.
Narrow money is often referred to as M1, but that's a topic for another time. Narrow money is limited to what's physically in circulation and bank deposits that can be used for transactions.
Broad money, on the other hand, includes everything in narrow money, plus any other liquid assets that can be used to buy goods and services. This is often referred to as M2.
The total amount of money circulating in an economy is called the money supply, and it's tracked and reported by each country's central bank or government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are savings bonds included in M2?
Yes, savings bonds are included in the M2 money supply, which also encompasses M1 and various other deposits. This means M2 is a broader measure of money in circulation.
Which of the following is not included in M1?
Savings deposits are not included in M1, as they are considered financial assets and not part of the money supply. This is because M1 only includes currency circulation, demand deposits, and traveler's checks.
Does M1 have savings?
Yes, M1 Finance offers a savings option for users to hold and grow their savings. You can learn more about M1's savings features and how they work.
Sources
- https://fredblog.stlouisfed.org/2021/05/savings-are-now-more-liquid-and-part-of-m1-money/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/m1.asp
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/definitions-of-money/
- https://courses.lumenlearning.com/oldwestbury-wm-macroeconomics/chapter/measuring-money-currency-m1-and-m2/
- https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/principlesofmacroeconomicscdn/chapter/10-3-measuring-money-m1-and-m2/
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