Financial Literacy

What is Banking? How Does it Work, and What are the Types?

What is Banking?

  Banking is a business of accepting deposits from customers and using those funds to make loans and investments. Banking implies an activity where a licensed financial institution safeguards your money by taking different kinds of deposits from you. Banks are financial institutions that play a very crucial role in the economy by providing a safe place for people to deposit their money, as well as offering loans to individuals and businesses for various purposes. Banks also provide a range of other financial services, such as issuing credit cards, facilitating wire transfers, money withdrawal from ATMs and managing investment portfolios. The banking system is regulated by government agencies to ensure the safety and stability of the financial system.

How Does Banking work?

Banking works by accepting deposits from customers and using those funds to make loans and investments. When you deposit money into a bank account, the bank is essentially borrowing that money from you, and it agrees to pay you interest on your deposit. Then the bank uses that money you deposit to make loans to other customers, and it earns interest on those loans. Banks also invest in various financial instruments such as government securities, corporate bonds, and stocks, which can generate income for the bank.

Banks make money by charging a higher interest rate on loans than interest rate they pay on deposits. The difference between the two interest rates is known as the net interest margin. Banks also charge fees for various services they offer, such as overdraft fees, ATM fees, and account maintenance fees etc.

In addition to traditional banking services, banks also offer a range of financial products and services, including credit cards, mortgages, car loans, and investment products. These products are designed to meet the financial needs of individuals, businesses, and other organizations.

To ensure the safety and stability of the banking system, banks are regulated by government agencies such as the Federal Reserve, FDIC, RBI and OCC. These agencies set capital requirements, oversee risk management practices, and monitor the overall health of the banking industry.

What are the Types of Banking?

There are several types of banking, each with its own focus and purpose. Here are some of the main types of banking in world:

  1. Retail banking: This is the most common type of banking that most people are familiar with. Retail banks serve individual customers by offering a range of services such as checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and other financial products and services.

2. Commercial banking: Commercial banks provide financial services to businesses and corporations, including loans for working capital, equipment purchases, and other business expenses. They may also offer treasury management services, foreign exchange, and trade finance.

3. Investment banking: Investment banks provide a range of financial services to corporations and governments, including underwriting and selling securities, managing mergers and acquisitions, and advising on corporate finance strategies.

4. Private banking: Private banks offer specialized financial services to high-net-worth individuals and families, including personalized investment advice, estate planning, and wealth management services.

5. Central Banking: Central banks are government institutions that oversee monetary policy and manage the money supply. They may also act as lenders of last resort, providing liquidity to the banking system in times of financial crisis.

6. Credit Unions Banking: Credit union banking refers to the financial services provided by credit unions, which are member-owned financial cooperatives. Credit unions offer a range of financial services similar to those provided by banks, such as savings and checking accounts, loans, credit cards, and other financial products and services.

7. Neo Banking: Neo banking, also known as digital banking or challenger banking, is a type of financial service that operates entirely online, without a physical branch network. Neo banks use technology to offer a range of financial services such as checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and other financial products and services.

8. Small Finance Banks: The objective of Small Finance Banks in India is to provide financial inclusion to less privileged sections of the economy, which ordinarily fails to gain access to financial institutions. Small Finance banks cover small and micro business units, marginal and small farmers, and various entities in the unorganized sector.

9. Cooperative Banking: Cooperative banking is a type of financial service that is owned and controlled by its members, who are also its customers. Cooperative banks are typically formed by individuals or groups who share a common interest, such as living in the same community, belonging to the same organization, or working in the same industry.

10. Islamic Banking: Islamic banking operates according to Shariah law, which prohibits charging or paying interest on loans. Instead, Islamic banks use profit-sharing arrangements, leasing agreements, and other financial instruments that comply with Islamic principles.

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Kumar Vimlesh

Kumar Vimlesh is an educator, financial planner and marketer. He has over 15 years of experience in investing, money market, taxation, financial planning, marketing and business development.

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