The primary functions of a commercial bank are of three types. They are:
I. Accepting Deposits
II. Granting Loans and Advances.
III.Creation of Credit
The basic deposit accounts offered by commercial banks are listed below. In these days banks compete with each other to attract customers by adding facilities to these deposit accounts. Broadly deposit accounts can be classified into demand deposits and time deposits.
These deposits are repayable on demand on any day. This consists of savings deposits and current deposits.
General public deposit their savings into this account. This account can be opened in one individual’s name or more than one name. Section 25 companies also can open savings accounts. Business firms are not permitted to open savings account. The rate of interest allowed on this deposit is lower than fixed deposits. Interest is paid on the basis of the amount and number of days the amount remains credited in the account. The bank provides facilities like cheque book, ATM (Automated Teller Machine) card etc. There is limit on number of ATM card withdrawals from other bank ATMs only. A minimum balance should be maintained in this deposit account. Otherwise penal interest is charged. Beyond a number (20 or 60 leaves) cheque book is available for a fee. Nomination can be registered. Salary account is a type of savings account offered to salaried employees in which zero balance is permitted. Some banks offer overdraft facility. An account inactive for a long period will become dormant account.
This account is suitable for business institutions. Individuals too can open this account. A higher minimum balance should be kept in this account. If not penal interest is charged. No interest is paid for the balance in this account. Some banks have started offering interest on these account balances. Banks may collect bank charges on this account. Overdraft (short term unsecured loan) facility is available to current account customers. There is no limitation on deposit of cheques or withdrawals from this account. Credit worthiness of current account business customers are shared among banks.
They include fixed deposits and recurring deposits which are repayable after a period.
Certain amount is deposited for a fixed period for a fixed rate of interest. FDR (fixed depositreceipt) is giventothedepositor.
Rate of interest is higher than savings account. On the date of maturity the principal along with interest for the fixed period is paid. A customer can obtain loan by depositing FDR. Pre-mature withdrawal of cash is also allowed for payment of penal charges and it carries no interest. Partial withdrawal also allowed. Fixed deposit period can be 1 month to 10 years. FD is also called term deposit
Certain sum is deposited into the account every month for one year or five years or the agreed period. Interest rate is more than savings deposits and almost equal to fixed deposits. At the end of the period the deposited amounts along with interest are returned to the customer. Premature closing is allowed with a charge or deduction. It is ideal for persons having regular income to save and receive a lump sum. Any institution can open RD account. Minors or students also can open this account. Loan against this deposit is also provided by some banks.
The second primary function of commercial banks is lending money in order to earn interest income. Banks provide specific sums as loans which are repayable along with interest. Demand loans should be repaid whenever demanded. Term loans can be repaid after the agreed period. Advances are credit facilities provided for short period (within a year) to business community. But both terms are used interchangeably.
It is a credit facility extended mostly to current account holding business community customers. It is an arrangement reached between the banker and the credit worthy customers. Such customers are allowed to overdraw (when there is no balance money in the account) up to a certain amount usually for 3 months period. It may be extended for further periods. Only on the withdrawn amount of credit interest is charged and not on the maximum limit allowed. It is an unsecured credit. Secured overdraft against the security of financial instruments is also provided by some banks. It is repayable on demand.
It is a secured credit facility given mostly to business institutions. Stock in hand, raw materials, other tangible assets, etc. are provided as collateral. A certain sum is allowed as credit for a short period. Interest is payable on the actual amount withdrawn and not on the entire credit facility. . It is repayable on demand.
Business customers approach banks to discount the commercial bills of exchanges and provide money. It is a short term credit instrument. Banks deduct the discount (interest) for the period mentioned in the bill and release the balance amount to the traders. If the bill is dishonoured, the bank can recover the amount from the customer. It is a form of unsecured credit.
Short term and medium term loans are provided by commercial banks against eligible collaterals to business concerns. It is a definite sum of money lent for a definite period. It is repayable in one lump sum or in instalments. Interest is payable on the entire loan amount. Every bank in these days design new methods of advancing loans to find more ways of learning income. Generally commercial banks provide the following loans.
Taking the title deeds of the house as collateral security, based on the monthly income of the borrowing customer, banks advance medium and long term loans. The customer repay the loan in equated monthly instalments (EMI consists of principal and interest). This is a boon to the middle class salaried employees who cannot afford to pay the full price of a house in a lump sum.
Consumer durables like refrigerator, air conditioner, laptop, washing machine, television, etc. can be purchased by customers with consumer loans from banks. The product purchased is hypothecated (secured loan arrangement where the movable asset remains with the borrower) as security for the consumer loan amount. The customer pays in equated monthly instalments for a specified period.
Two wheelers, cars, buses and other vehicles can be purchased by individuals as well as institutions obtaining vehicle loans from the banks. Vehicles are hypothecated to the bank until the entire loan amount is repaid. Vehicle registration book is deposited with the bank andonfull paymentof loanamount it will be handed over to the customer.
Loan is provided by banks to students for studying undergraduate, post graduate or professional courses. Loan may be received in instalments to pay the educational fees every year. After completion of the course one year is allowed for the student to get employed. Afterwards, the student should repay the loan with interest for the entire period. Interest is charged from the date of first instalment of loan amount payment.
Customers pledge their gold jewels and obtain loans from banks. The margin (percentage of value per gram that can be given as credit) requirement is fixed by the RBI. Interest should be paid every month. Otherwise interest on interest is charged. Within 12 months the customer can redeem or else can re-pledge. Jewels not redeemed even after reminders are sold in auction by banks to recover their dues.
Apart from the currency money issued by the RBI, the credit money in circulation created by commercial banks influence economic activities of a country to a large extent. Credit money of commercial banks is far greater in volume than the currency money. The volume, the purposes and the sector to which this credit money is to be channelised - all these are implemented by commercial banks under the guidance of the RBI.
Apart from the basic or primary functions commercial banks render various other services which are known as secondary functions. These services can be broadly classified into agency services and general utility services.
Banks act as agents of customers and provide certain services. They are called Agency Functions which are as follows:
Banksissuedemanddrafts, bankers’ cheques, travelers’ cheques, etc. and help in transfer of funds from one place to another. Customers need not carry cash. They can just forward the draft issued by the bank to the receiving institution. A small commission is collected by banks for this service.
After instruction from the customers, banks undertake the monthly payment of insurance premium, rent, telephone bill, etc. from the accounts of customers. Now a days these payments are made through electronic clearing system facility offered by the banks.
On behalf of customers bank collect the cheques deposited into the accounts of customers from other banks and deposit cash in the customers’ accounts. Similarly cheques issued by a customer is honoured and the amount paid as directed by the customer.
Banks act as executors of will of the customers and implement their will after their death. As a trustee a bank takes care of the funds of the customers. Banker signs transfer deed of the properties of the customers in the capacity of attorney to customers.
A Demat account should be opened with Depository Participant and that demat account should be linked with savings bank account by the customer. Then the customer can ask the bank to conduct online purchase or sale of securities, on behalf him.
Banks prepare the annual income tax return on behalf of the customers and provide income tax related advices to them.
Banks buy and sell foreign currencies on behalf o customers.
Banks act as correspondent of customers and receive travel ticket, passport, etc.
In addition to primary, secondary and agency functions, commercial banks offer some services for the general welfare of the customers. They are called general utility services. They are as follows.
Demand drafts and Bankers Cheques are issued to public and customers as well. Instead of sending money they can attach these instruments for payment of educational fees, etc.
Banks accept bills on behalf of customers and make payments to the foreign exporter. Afterwards, the banks collect from the customers.
Valuable documents, jewels, etc. can be kept safely in a vault provided by bank for a rent. These vaults room is called ‘Strong Room”.
This document is given by bank on behalf of importing customer to the exporter guaranteeing payment for the imported goods. It is a very important document in international trade.
Customers need not carry cash during travel in India or abroad. The denomination and words are printed in the cheque. It is accepted as money in shops, hotels, travel agencies, etc.
These denomination printed cheques are available in attractive design so that it can be presented during wedding, birthday functions, etc.
Business firms can give their bank’s name as reference to the new business institution with which they want to establish commercial relationship. Banks willingly act as referees and provide information about the financial standing of their customers.
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