How do commercial banks primarily obtain money from deposits?

Commercial banks primarily obtain funds from deposits by attracting customers to open various types of accounts, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits. When individuals and businesses deposit money into these accounts, the banks gain access to this pool of funds, which they can then use to provide loans, invest in securities, or meet other liabilities.

The option related to selling debt and common stock to investors pertains to how banks might raise additional capital, but it does not directly reflect the primary means of obtaining money through deposits. Loans and investments, funded by customer deposits, play a crucial role in the overall functioning of a bank and its ability to make profits.

Other options like borrowing from other banks, receiving government grants, or issuing corporate bonds are more about supplementary funding or financial strategies rather than the foundational activity of accepting deposits, which forms the core of a bank's funding model. Thus, the reliance on deposit-taking is fundamental to their operations, making it the most accurate reflection of how commercial banks primarily gather money.