The Economics of Financial Markets and Institutions is based on introductory lectures on financial economics delivered to master students in law in the Department of Law at the University of Oxford. The aim is to keep the levels of mathematical complexity to a minimum while, at the same time, to aim high, conceptually, emphasizing the close links between financial and economic analysis. The book assumes no previous knowledge of economics; rather economic concepts are developed from first principles, then applied, up front, to the analysis of financial markets and institutions. Though aimed, originally, at an audience of lawyers, the book is suitable for anyone interested in a better understanding of the rich and complex institutional structure of financial markets.