1) What is bank? What are the types of banks?
A bank is a financial institution licensed as a receiver of cash deposits. There are two types of banks, commercial banks and investment banks. In most of the countries, banks are regulated by the national government or central bank.
2) What is investment banking?
Investment banking manages portfolios of financial assets, commodity and currency, fixed income, corporate finance, corporate advisory services for mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity writing etc.
3) What is commercial bank?
Commercial bank is owned by the group of individuals or by a member of Federal Reserve System. The commercial bank offer services to individuals, they are primarily concerned with receiving deposits and lending to business. Such bank earns money by imposing interest on the loan borrowed by the borrower. The money that is deposited by the customer will be used by the bank to give business loan, auto loan, mortgages and home repair loans.
4) What are the types of Commercial Banks?
a) Retail or consumer banking
It is a small to mid-sized branch that directly deals with consumer’s transaction rather than corporate or other banks
b) Corporate or business banking
Corporate banking deals with cash management, underwriting, financing and issuing of stocks and bonds
c) Securities and Investment banking
Investment banking manages portfolios of financial assets, commodity and currency, fixed income, corporate finance, corporate advisory services for mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity writing etc.
d) Non-traditional options
There are many non-bank entities that offer financial services like that of the bank. The entities include credit card companies, credit card report agencies and credit card issuers
5) What is consumer bank?
Consumer bank is a new addition in the banking sector, such bank exist only in countries like U.S.A and Germany. This bank provides loans to their customer to buy T.V, Car, furniture etc. and give the option of easy payment through instalment.
6) What are the types of accounts in banks?
a) Checking Account: You can access the account as the saving account but, unlike saving account, you cannot earn interest on this account. The benefit of this account is that there is no limit for withdrawal.
b) Saving Account: You can save your money in such account and also earn interest on it. The number of withdrawal is limited and need to maintain the minimum amount of balance in the account to remain active.
c) Money Market Account: This account gives benefits of both saving and checking accounts. You can withdraw the amount and yet you can earn higher interest on it. This account can be opened with a minimum balance.
d) CD (Certificate of Deposits) Account: In such account you have to deposit your money for the fixed period of time (5-7 years), and you will earn the interest on it. The rate of interest is decided by the bank, and you cannot withdraw the funds until the fixed period expires.
7) What are the different ways you can operate your accounts?
You can operate your bank accounts in different ways like
a) Internet banking
b) Telephone or Mobile banking
c) Branch or Over the counter service
d) ATM ( Automated Teller Machine)
8) What are the things that you have to keep in concern before opening the bank accounts?
Before opening a bank account, if it is a saving account, you have to check the interest rate on the deposit and whether the interest rate remains consistent for the period. If you have the checking account, then look for how many cheques are free to use. Some banks may charge you for using paper cheques or ordering new cheque books. Also, check for different debit card option that is provided on opening an account and online banking features.
9) What is ‘Crossed Cheque’ ?
A crossed cheque indicates the amount should be deposited into the payees account and cannot be cashed by the bank over the counter. Here in the image, number#2, you can see two cross-lines on the left side corner of the cheque that indicates crossed cheque.
10) What is overdraft protection?
Overdraft protection is a service that is provided by a bank to their customer. For instance, if you are holding two accounts, saving and credit account, in the same bank. Now if one of your accounts does not have enough cash to process the cheques, or to cover the purchases. The bank will transfer money from one account to another account, which does not have cash so to prevent check return or to clear your shopping or electricity bills.
11) Do bank charge for ‘overdraft protection’ service?
Yes, bank will charge on ‘overdraft protection’ services but the charges will be applicable only when you start using the service.
12) What is (APR) Annual Percentage Rate?
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, and it is a charge or interest that the bank imposes on their customers for using their services like loans, credit cards, mortgage loan etc. The interest rate or fees imposed is calculated annually.
13) What is ‘prime rate’?
Basically, ‘prime rate’ is the rate of interest that is decided by nations (U.S.A) largest banks for their preferred customers, having a good credit score. Much ‘variable’ interest depends on the ‘prime rates’. For example, the ‘APR’ (Annual Percentage Rate) on a credit card is 10% plus prime rate, and if the prime rate is 3%, the current ‘APR’ on that credit card would be 13%.
14) What is ‘Fixed’ APR and ‘Variable’ APR?
‘APR’ (Annual Percentage Rate) can be ‘Fixed’ or ‘Variable’ type. In ‘Fixed APR’, the interest rate remains same throughout the term of the loan or mortgage, while in ‘Variable APR’ the interest rate will change without notice, based on the other factors like ‘prime rate’.
15) What are the different types of banking software applications are available in the Industry?
There are many types of banking software applications and few are listed below
a) Internet banking system: Internet banking allows the customers and financial institution to conduct final transaction using banks or financial institute website.
b) ATM banking (Automated Teller Machine): It is an electronic banking outlet, which allows customers to complete basic transaction.
c) Core banking system: Core banking is a service provided by a networked bank branches. With this, customer can withdraw money from any branch.
d) Loan management system: The database collects all the information and keeps the track about the customers who borrows the money.
e) Credit management system: Credit management system is a system for handling credit accounts, assessing risks and determining how much credit to offer to the customer.
f) Investment management system: It is a process of managing money, including investments, banking, budgeting and taxes.
g) Stock market management system: The stock market management is a system that manages financial portfolio like securities and bonds.
h) Financial management system: Financial management system is used to govern and keep a record of its income, expense and assets and to keep the accountability of its profit.
16) What is the ‘cost of debt’?
When any company borrows funds, from a financial institution (bank) or other resources the interest paid on that amount is known as ‘cost of debt’.
17) What is ‘balloon payment’?
The ‘balloon payment’ is the final lump sum payment that is due. When the entire loan payment is not amortized over the life of the loan, the remaining balance is due as the final repayment to the lender. Balloon payment can occur within an adjustable rate or fixed rate mortgage.
18) What is ‘Amortization’?
The repayment of the loan by instalment to cover principal amount with interest is known as ‘Amortization’.
19) What is negative Amortization?
When repayment of the loan is less than the loans accumulated interest, then negative Amortization occurs. It will increase the loan amount instead of decreasing it. It is also known as ‘deferred interest’.
20) What is the difference between ‘Cheque’ and ‘Demand draft’?
Both are used for the transfer of the amount between two accounts of same banks or different bank. ‘Cheque’ is issued by an individual who holds the account in a bank, while ‘Demand draft’ is issued by the bank on request, and will charge you for the service. Also, demand draft cannot be cancelled, while cheques can be cancelled once issued.
21) What is debt-to-Income ratio?
The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing a loan applicant’s total debt payment by his gross income.
22) What is adjustment credit?
Adjustment credit is a short-term loan made by the Federal Reserve Bank (U.S) to the commercial bank to maintain reserve requirements and support short term lending, when they are short of cash.
23) What do you mean by ‘foreign draft’?
Foreign draft is an alternative to foreign currency; it is generally used to send money to a foreign country. It can be purchased from the commercial banks, and they will charge according to their banks rules and norms. People opt for ‘foreign draft’ for sending money as this method of sending money is cheaper and safer. It also enables receiver to access the funds quicker than a cheque or cash transfer.
24) What is ‘Loan grading’?
The classification of loan based on various risks and parameters like repayment risk, borrower’s credit history etc. is known as ‘loan grading’. This system places loan on one to six categories, based on the stability and risk associated with the loan.
25) What is ‘Credit-Netting’?
A system to reduce the number of credit checks on financial transaction is known as credit-netting. Such agreement occurs normally between large banks and other financial institutions. It places all the future and current transaction into one agreement, removing the need for credit cheques on each transaction.
