Tag: Payment Banks

Bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and provides credit for various purposes. It acts as an intermediary between people who have surplus funds (depositors) and those who require funds (borrowers). The primary aim of a bank is to ensure the safe keeping of money, facilitate transactions, and promote economic growth.

In India, banks play a crucial role in the financial system by mobilizing savings, channeling credit to productive sectors, and supporting government economic policies. The Indian banking system is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which was established in 1935. The RBI supervises commercial banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks, and development banks to ensure stability and trust in the system.

Banks in India provide various services such as deposit accounts, loans, remittances, digital payments, credit cards, foreign exchange, and investment advisory. They are also important for implementing government schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, financial inclusion, and priority sector lending.

Thus, a bank is not only a custodian of money but also a key driver of financial development and economic progress in India.

Functions of Banks:

• Primary Functions of Banks

The primary functions of banks include accepting deposits and providing loans. Banks accept deposits from the public in various forms such as savings accounts, current accounts, fixed deposits, and recurring deposits. These deposits ensure safety of money and also earn interest for customers. The other main function is lending, where banks provide credit to individuals, businesses, and government through loans, advances, overdrafts, and credit facilities. This lending supports trade, industry, agriculture, and personal needs. By performing these two functions, banks act as financial intermediaries, ensuring efficient circulation of money in the economy.

• Secondary Functions of Banks

Apart from core banking, banks perform secondary functions that support trade, commerce, and development. These include agency functions like collecting cheques, paying bills, transferring funds, and managing investments on behalf of customers. They also perform general utility functions such as issuing letters of credit, providing locker facilities, foreign exchange services, and facilitating digital transactions like UPI and NEFT. Banks act as trustees, executors, and financial advisors. In India, secondary functions are vital for promoting financial inclusion, supporting international trade, and enabling safe, convenient services for customers, thereby strengthening trust in the banking system.

• Accepting Deposits

Banks accept deposits from individuals and businesses in various forms, such as savings accounts (for small savers), current accounts (for businesses with frequent transactions), fixed deposits (higher interest for locked-in periods), and recurring deposits (regular small savings). These deposits provide safety and liquidity to customers while enabling banks to pool funds for lending. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates deposit schemes to ensure security and fair interest rates. By offering different deposit options, banks cater to diverse customer needs, encouraging savings and financial discipline in the economy.

• Granting Loans and Advances

Banks provide loans to individuals, businesses, and industries, fueling economic growth. Common loan types include personal loans (for immediate needs), home loans (for property purchase), business loans (for enterprises), and agricultural loans (for farmers). Banks also offer overdrafts and cash credits for short-term funding. Interest rates vary based on risk and tenure. By lending, banks create credit, expanding money supply in the economy. The RBI monitors lending activities to prevent excessive risk-taking. Loans help in capital formation, employment generation, and overall development, making banks crucial for financial stability.

• Payment and Settlement Services

Banks facilitate smooth financial transactions through cheques, demand drafts, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, and UPI. They act as intermediaries in fund transfers, ensuring secure and quick settlements. Digital banking (mobile apps, internet banking) has revolutionized payments, reducing cash dependency. The RBI’s Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 regulates these services. Banks also issue debit/credit cards, enabling cashless transactions globally. By providing efficient payment solutions, banks enhance trade, commerce, and consumer convenience, supporting India’s shift toward a less-cash economy.

Types of Banks:

• Commercial Banks

Commercial banks are the backbone of India’s banking system. They accept deposits from the public and provide loans for trade, industry, agriculture, and personal needs. They operate on a profit motive and offer services such as savings accounts, fixed deposits, credit facilities, digital payments, and remittance services. Commercial banks in India are further classified into Public Sector Banks (like SBI, PNB, BOI), Private Sector Banks (like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank), and Foreign Banks (like Citibank, HSBC). They play a crucial role in implementing government schemes, financing infrastructure, and ensuring financial inclusion. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates their functioning to maintain stability, liquidity, and customer trust.

• Cooperative Banks

Cooperative banks are financial institutions organized and managed on a cooperative basis. They are owned by members and operate primarily to provide credit at low interest rates to farmers, small traders, and rural communities. These banks work on the principle of mutual help and operate at three levels: Primary Credit Societies, District Central Cooperative Banks, and State Cooperative Banks. They play a vital role in rural financing, agricultural development, and supporting weaker sections of society. Cooperative banks in India are regulated by both the RBI and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. Their focus on local communities and priority sectors makes them essential for India’s rural economy.

• Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were established in 1975 under the RRB Act to provide banking facilities in rural and semi-urban areas. Their main objective is to provide credit and financial services to small farmers, agricultural laborers, artisans, and rural entrepreneurs. RRBs are jointly owned by the Central Government (50%), State Government (15%), and a Sponsor Bank (35%). They accept deposits and provide loans, focusing on agricultural and rural development. RRBs also implement government schemes like Kisan Credit Cards and financial inclusion programs. By promoting rural self-reliance, RRBs play a key role in bridging the gap between rural and urban banking services in India.

• Development Banks

Development banks are specialized financial institutions that provide long-term finance for industrial and agricultural development. Unlike commercial banks, they do not focus on accepting deposits but on promoting economic growth by financing infrastructure projects, industries, and large-scale enterprises. Examples include Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), NABARD (for agriculture and rural development), and SIDBI (for small industries). Development banks provide project finance, technical assistance, and advisory services. They help in modernizing industries, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting government development policies. In India, development banks are essential for building strong infrastructure, boosting employment, and ensuring balanced regional growth across the country.

• Small Finance Banks (SFBs)

Small Finance Banks are niche banks created to provide financial services to unserved and underserved sections of society, such as small business units, farmers, micro and small industries, and low-income households. They accept deposits and offer loans but operate on a smaller scale compared to commercial banks. RBI regulates these banks, and they must maintain priority sector lending of at least 75% of their total credit. Examples include AU Small Finance Bank, Equitas SFB, Ujjivan SFB, etc. SFBs focus on financial inclusion, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, by offering microloans, savings accounts, remittance services, and insurance. They bridge the gap between informal lending and formal banking, ensuring wider economic participation.

• Payment Banks

Payment Banks are specialized banks introduced by the RBI in 2014 to promote digital banking and financial inclusion. They can accept deposits up to ₹2 lakh (per individual customer limit, subject to RBI changes), provide remittance services, issue debit cards, and facilitate mobile payments, but cannot give loans or issue credit cards. Their primary aim is to bring the unbanked population into the formal financial system by providing low-cost, technology-driven banking services. Examples include India Post Payments Bank, Paytm Payments Bank, Airtel Payments Bank. Payment Banks are crucial in expanding digital transactions, direct benefit transfers, and cashless payments, thereby supporting the government’s vision of a Digital India.

• Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank)

The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) was established in 1982 as a specialized financial institution to promote India’s international trade. It provides financial assistance to exporters and importers, offers overseas investment support, and facilitates export-oriented industries. EXIM Bank provides pre-shipment and post-shipment finance, buyer’s credit, supplier’s credit, and export credit guarantees. It also supports Indian companies in establishing joint ventures abroad. By promoting exports, EXIM Bank helps earn foreign exchange and enhances India’s global trade competitiveness. It plays a vital role in supporting the Make in India initiative and internationalizing Indian businesses, thereby contributing to economic growth and strengthening India’s trade relations.