Saturday, 22 June 2013

What is a bank? What are the different types of bank?

The term ‘bank’ is derived from the greek word ‘banque’ that refers to some kind of banking. Casa De San Giorgio was the first bank to be established in 1148.The first public bank was the Bank of Venice, established in 1157.In simple words, bank refers to institution that deals in money and money related matters. They accept deposits from the public and gives loans to those who need it. They also perform various other functions such as credit creation, agency job and general service.

Types of bank: Banks may be classified on various basis as under:-

1.        On the basis of ownership: (i) public sector banks, e.g. State Bank of India

     (ii) private sector banks, e.g. Vijaya Bank

     (iii) co-operative banks, e.g. State co-operative bank.

2.        On the basis of law: (i) scheduled banks- these banks must have a paid up capital of least Rs.5 lacs.

                                    (ii) non-scheduled banks- these banks are not mentioned in the Second Schedule of Reserve Bank and may have a paid up capital of less than Rs.5 lacs. There are only 3 such banks in India at present.

3.        On the basis of their functions:

(i) commercial banks: these are the most important constituents of banking system. E.g. SBI, Canara       Bank, PNB etc, etc.

(ii) foreign banks: such banks are incorporated in a foreign country and set up their branches in India. E.g.Bank of America, Chartered Bank, Hong Kong Bank etc.

(iii) industrial banks: they offer long term and medium term loans to the industries and also work for their development. E.g.IDBI,IFC,SFCs etc.

 (iv) agricultural banks : such banks give credit to agricultural sector of the economy.e.g.NABARD

(v) saving banks: their principal function is to collect small savings across the country and put them to productive use. In India, a dept. Of Post Offices functions as savings banks.

 (vi) indigenous banks : These banks found their origins in India.

(vii) central banks: it is the apex bank of the banking system of the country. RBI, Bank of England, Federal Reserve System are central banks of India, England and USA respectively.

Commercial banks, may , again be classified as follows on the basis of their organisation:-

a) Unit Banking: In this banking system, a particular bank functions in a limited area. Such banks are of small size and generally has no branch. They deposit money in some big bank called correspondent bank. The control and ownership of these banks is generally in the hands of local individuals. This banking system is popular in USA.

b) Branch Banking: Branch banking is a system in which:-

   (i) a bank renders its banking services at two or more places

  (ii) head office has the overall control over the working of various branches

 (iii) branches can be opened in the same town, state or the country in which the concerned head office is located or at different places

  (iv)overall control of all the branches is done by one central authority, viz.Board of Directors.

c) Chain Banking: This system of banking became popular in USA in 1920. In this system every bank in the banking chain has its own identity as well as independent board of management. However, it is possible that one individual is the member of various management boards.

d) Group Banking: Group banking is that banking system in which two or more banks operate  under the control of a holding company. In the words of Goldfield and Chandler,”Group Banking refers to the system in which a corporation or a holding company operates two or more banks simultaneously. These banks are known as subsidiaries of the corporation or the holding company. These banks may be unit banks or branch banks.”

e) Correspondent Banking: Correspondent banking is an arrangement  that exists among banks throughout the country based on the practice of smaller banks carrying deposits with larger banks in exchange for the performance of various services.

0 comments:

Post a Comment