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In finance, a cash reserve refers to funds set aside by a business or financial institution. These reserves can be for various purposes, such as protecting against unexpected financial needs or "contingencies". Businesses use a cash budget to forecast their cash flow and determine if additional financing will be needed or if surplus funds will be available for investment.12

Central banks play a crucial role in managing cash reserves within the broader financial system. They provide cash reserves to commercial banks that are at risk of failure. Central banks also regulate commercial banks by enforcing rules, which can include minimum cash reserve ratios. This regulation helps reduce a bank's exposure to liquidity risk and aids the central bank in controlling the national money supply.34

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