ROLE OF COMMERCIAL BANK

Presentation By: CA R.C. Bajpai

Functioning of Commercial Bank

The commercial Banks in India play a major role in the
development of the country itself. These banks are
primarily concerned with providing loans and accepting
deposits and are regulated by Reserve Bank Of India
(RBI).
Understanding the function, controls over the
Functioning of the Commercial Bank is of immense
importance to you, aspirants. This knowledge shall have
manifold usefulness through out the training period as
well as after becoming a Chartered Accountant. And
whether you choose to be in practice or in Service the
need to know about Commercial Banks can not be over
emphasized.

Controlling Authority

These banks work as per the parameter set by the regulating

body. They are also bound to keep a certain amount in the
Reserve Bank. This is known as CRR Cash Reserve Ratio.
The lending capacity of the commercial banks in India are also
related to this Cash Reserve Ratio because whenever it is
raised by the Reserve Bank of India, the loan providing
capacity of commercial banks decreases. On the other hand,
the Reserve Bank of India also decides on the amount of asset
that the commercial banks in India can keep in their direct
possession.
Again, the Reserve Bank of India determines the interest rates
that the commercial banks can impose on the loan products. At
the same time, these rates are also related to the interest rates
that the commercial banks offer for the deposits.

Latest Bank Lending Rates

Bank Rate

6-0%
(Since April 30, 2003)

Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)

5-0%
(Since January 17, 2009)

Statutory Liquidity Ratio

(SLR)

24-0%
(Since November 3, 2008)

Repo Rate

5-0%
(Since March 4, 2009)

Reverse Repo Rate

3-5%
(Since March 4, 2009)

The main Commercial Bank of India

are:
Allahabad Bank Andhra Bank Canara Bank Bank of India
State Bank of India Union Bank of India
United Bank of India UCO Bank Indian Overseas Bank
Corporation Bank Oriental Bank of Commerce
Bank of Baroda Syndicate Bank Dena Bank
Punjab National Bank Vijaya Bank Axis Bank HDFC Bank
Bank of Rajasthan Central Bank Of India

Legal Regulations

RBI Act (1934)

Banking Regulation Act (1949)
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (2002)
IT Act (2000).

Objective of this session

After studying this lesson, you will be able to Describe the various functions of commercial banks;
Differentiate between primary and secondary functions of
Commercial banks;
Classify and discuss the primary functions of modern
commercial banks
Enumerate the various modes of acceptance of deposits;
Identify various methods of granting loans;
Describe agency and general utility services of modern
commercial Banks.

Functions
The functions of a commercial banks are divided into
two categories:
i) Primary functions, and
ii) Secondary functions including agency functions.

I. Primary Functions
The primary functions of a commercial bank include:
a) accepting deposits
b) granting loans and advances

a) Accepting deposits
The most important activity of a commercial bank is to
mobilise deposits from the public. People who have surplus
income and savings find it convenient to deposit the amounts
with banks.
Depending upon the nature of deposits, funds deposited with
bank also earn interest. Thus, deposits with the bank grow
along with the interest earned. If the rate of interest is higher,
public are motivated to deposit more funds with the bank.
There is also safety of funds deposited with the bank.

b) Grant of loans and advances

The second important function of a commercial bank is to grant
loans and advances. Such loans and advances are given to
members of the public and to the business community at a
higher rate of interest than allowed by banks on various
deposit accounts.
The rate of interest charged on loans and advances varies
depending upon the purpose, period and the mode of
repayment.
The difference between the rate of interest allowed on deposits
and the rate charged on the Loans is the main source of a
banks income.

i) Loans
A loan is granted for a specific time period. Generally,
Commercial banks grant short-term loans. But term loans,
that is, loan for more than a year, may also be granted.
The borrower may withdraw the entire amount in lump sum
or in installments. However, interest is charged on the full
amount of loan. Loans are generally granted against the
Security of certain assets. A loan may be repaid either in
Lump sum or in installments.

ii) Advances
An advance is a credit facility provided by the bank to its
customers. It differs from loan in the sense that loans may
be granted for longer period, but advances are normally
granted for a short period of time. Further the purpose of
granting advances is to meet the day to day requirements
of business. The rate of interest charged on advances varies
from bank to bank. Interest is charged only on the amount
withdrawn and not on the sanctioned amount.
Modes of short-term financial assistance
Banks grant short-term financial assistance by way of cash credit,
overdraft and bill discounting.

a) Cash Credit
Cash credit is an arrangement whereby the bank allows the
borrower to draw amounts upto a specified limit. The amount is
credited to the account of the customer. The customer can
withdraw this amount as and when he requires. Interest is
charged on the amount actually withdrawn. Cash Credit is
granted as per agreed terms and conditions with the
customers.

b) Overdraft

Overdraft is also a credit facility granted by bank. A customer

who has a current account with the bank is allowed to
withdraw
more than the amount of credit balance in his account. It is a
temporary arrangement. Overdraft facility with a specified limit
is allowed either on the security of assets, or on personal
security,or both.
A business overdraft is an ideal source of temporary funding
when business expenses are unpredictable. Take a look on the
benefits of business overdraft facilities:
Convenient, flexible working capital finance
Matched to your specific borrowing requirement
Easy to administer
Minimize cost

c) Discounting of Bills
Banks provide short-term finance by discounting bills, that is,
making payment of the amount before the due date of the bills
after deducting a certain rate of discount. The party gets the
funds without waiting for the date of maturity of the bills. In
case any bill is dishonoured on the due date, the bank can recover
the amount from the customer.

Managing Trade Risk

In an exporting or importing transaction there are a range of risks
that need to be considered before entering into contract of sale
with another party. These issues can be costly and time
consuming. The commercial banks provide following advisory
services in this respect:
Trade Credits (Buyers Credit, Suppliers Credit)
Letter of Credit Confirmations.
Bills (Collection and discounting)
Trade risk instruments

ii) Secondary functions

Besides the primary functions of accepting deposits and
lending money, banks perform a number of other functions
which are called secondary functions. These are as follows
a) Issuing letters of credit, travellers cheques, circular notes etc.
b) Undertaking safe custody of valuables, important documents,
and
securities by providing safe deposit vaults or lockers;
c) Providing customers with facilities of foreign exchange.
d) Transferring money from one place to another; and from one
branch to another branch of the bank.
e) Standing guarantee on behalf of its customers, for making
payments for purchase of goods, machinery, vehicles etc.
f) Collecting and supplying business information;
g) Issuing demand drafts and pay orders; and,
h) Providing reports on the credit worthiness of customers.

TEST Your Knowledge

Questions True or False:
(i) Accepting deposits is an essential function of a modern
commercial bank.
(ii) Granting loan to the borrowers is not the main function of a
bank.
(iii) Ancillary services are also known as supplementary functions of
a commercial bank.
(iv) General utility services are called non-banking services.
(v) Services rendered by banks to the general public constitute the
main function of banks.
(vi) Bank charges some amount for the services rendered.
(vii) Bank cannot buy and sell shares and debentures on behalf of
customers.
(viii) Bank stands guarantee against loan raised by its customers from
other financial institutions.
ix) Safe deposit vaults are made available by bank only to fixed
deposit account holders.
(x) Banks generally grant long-term loans to industries.
Answers
True i) iii) iv) vi) viii)
False ii) v) vii) ix) x)

THANK YOU
Presentation By:
CA R.C. Bajpai
R.C. Bajpai & Co.
rcb@rcbajpai.com
www.rcbajpai.com
91-9415052437