what are the characteristics and functions of bank
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
The Primary Functions Of A Bank
The primary functions of a bank are two:
1. Accepting Deposits: Deposits are the amount of money that a customer hands over to the bank. This is known as making a deposit. The deposits are of a few types namely: Saving Deposit, Fixed Deposit, Current Deposit, and the Recurrent Deposit. The various deposit schemes are based on the type of deposit and the frequency of depositing. For example, in a fixed deposit a definite sum is handed over to the bank for a few years. The interest is only compounded if the deposit term is complete. Providing these services of the deposit is one of the primary functions of a bank. So what happens if you need money? Shouldn’t that also be a primary function of the bank? Well, let us see further.
Saving/ Fixed/ Current Deposit
In a saving deposit, the amount and the rate of interest are low. Withdrawals are also allowed but only in a limited number. The account is suitable for people who want to save on salaries and similar sources of income.
Similarly, the fixed deposit is a fixed sum that one gives to the bank for a certain agreed time. The withdrawals are not allowed before the completion of the time of the fixed deposit. On the other hand, the current account or deposit, there is no interest paid by the bank and the customer can withdraw or deposit any number of times.
Now let us see the other secondary function:
2. Granting Loans and Advances: The bank lends people money on a time-interest basis. Each loan amount is passed by the bank after due consideration and securing the bank’s profit. The bank also gives advances to its customers. These are also the primary functions of the banks. The bank provides the services of an overdraft, cash credits, loans, and discounting of the bill of exchange.
The banks also take part in what we call the secondary functions of the bank.
Secondary Functions Of The Bank
The secondary functions of the Bank are either selling gold coins to the public or selling insurance products and selling mutual fund products etc. Let us make a more formal study. Following are the important secondary functions of the Banks:
Agency Functions: The bank is an agent for its customers in a way that it invests on behalf of its customers. Acting as the agent of the customer the bank may transfer funds, the collection of cheques, periodic payments, portfolio management, periodic collections, and several other agency functions. All of these functions are the secondary functions of the bank.
General Utility Functions: The bank also performs several utility functions. Some of the most important utility functions of the banks may include the issue of drafts, letter of credits, etc., locker facility, underwriting of shares, dealing in foreign exchange, project reports, social welfare programs, other utility functions. The banks also provide several services like the safe deposit locker facilities, safe custody facilities, and Demat accounts. The opening of Demat accounts allows the account holder to trade in the stock exchange or the money market directly. The customer that holds a Demat account can directly buy or sell shares from the capital market.
The General Utility Functions are also called as Social development functions. In some areas, the banks will help you with all the transactions that you will have to do during a course of time. For example, you will be able to pay your phone, electricity and other utility bills from a center that is run by the banks. This sums up the functions of the banks.
Answer: Characteristics of bank :
* It may be an individual / firm / company.
* It deals with money.
* It accepts deposits from public .
Functions of bank :
* Primary functions include accepting deposit , granting loans , advances , cash , credit , and discounting of bills.
* Secondary functions include issuing letter of credit , undertaking safe custody of valuables , providing consumer finance , educational loans etc...