Functions of Commercial Banks

Functions of Commercial Banks:

Commercial banks are institutions that conduct business with profit motive by accepting public deposits and lending loans for various investment purposes.

The functions of commercial banks are broadly classified into primary functions and secondary functions, which are shown in the picture

Functions of Commercial Banks

(a) Primary Functions:

1. Accepting Deposits

It implies that commercial banks are mainly dependent on public deposits.

There are two types of deposits, which are discussed as follows

(i) Demand Deposits

It refers to deposits that can be withdrawn by individuals without any prior notice to the bank. In other words, the owners of these deposits are allowed to withdraw money anytime by writing a withdrawal slip or a cheque at the bank counter or from ATM centres using debit card.

(ii) Time Deposits

It refers to deposits that are made for certain committed period of time. Banks pay higher interest on time deposits. These deposits can be withdrawn only after a specific time period by providing a written notice to the bank.

2. Advancing Loans

It refers to granting loans to individuals and businesses. Commercial banks grant loans in the form of overdraft, cash credit, and discounting bills of exchange.

(b) Secondary Functions

The secondary functions can be classified under three heads, namely, agency functions, general utility functions, and other functions.

1. Agency Functions: It implies that commercial banks act as agents of customers by performing various functions.

(i) Collecting Cheques

Banks collect cheques and bills of exchange on the behalf of their customers through clearing house facilities provided by the central bank.

(ii) Collecting Income

Commercial banks collect dividends, pension, salaries, rents, and interests on investments on behalf of their customers. A credit voucher is sent to customers for information when any income is collected by the bank.

(iii) Paying Expenses

Commercial banks make the payments of various obligations of customers, such as telephone bills, insurance premium, school fees, and rents. Similar to credit voucher, a debit voucher is sent to customers for information when expenses are paid by the bank.

2. General Utility Functions: It implies that commercial banks provide some utility services to customers by performing various functions.

(i) Providing Locker Facilities

Commercial banks provide locker facilities to its customers for safe custody of jewellery, shares, debentures, and other valuable items. This minimizes the risk of loss due to theft at homes. Banks are not responsible for the items in the lockers.

(ii) Issuing Traveler’s Cheques

Banks issue traveler’s cheques to individuals for traveling outside the country. Traveler’s cheques are the safe and easy way to protect money while traveling.

(iii) Dealing in Foreign Exchange

Commercial banks help in providing foreign exchange to businessmen dealing in exports and imports. However, commercial banks need to take the permission of the Central Bank for dealing in foreign exchange.

3. Transferring Funds

It refers to transferring of funds from one bank to another. Funds are transferred by means of draft, telephonic transfer, and electronic transfer.

4. Letter of Credit

Commercial banks issue letters of credit to their customers to certify their creditworthiness.

(i) Underwriting Securities

Commercial banks also undertake the task of underwriting securities. As public has full faith in the creditworthiness of banks, public do not hesitate in buying the securities underwritten by banks.

(ii) Electronic Banking

It includes services, such as debit cards, credit cards, and Internet banking.

(c) Other Functions:

(i) Money Supply

It refers to one of the important functions of commercial banks that help in increasing money supply. For instance, a bank lends ₹5 lakh to an individual and opens a demand deposit in the name of that individual. Bank makes a credit entry of ₹5 lakh in that account. This leads to creation of demand deposits in that account. The point to be noted here is that there is no payment in cash. Thus, without printing additional money, the supply of money is increased.

(ii) Credit Creation

Credit Creation means the multiplication of loans and advances.

Commercial banks receive deposits from the public and use these deposits to give loans. However, loans offered are many times more than the deposits received by banks. This function of banks is known as ‘Credit Creation’.

(iii) Collection of Statistics:

Banks collect and publish statistics relating to trade, commerce and industry. Hence, they advice customers and the public authorities on financial matters.