How Banks make money and how they works

In India, 90% of people over 18 years of age have a bank account.

Some of them know how the banking system works and how banks use public money to make profits.

Before seeing how a bank works, let us see how many types of banks there are in India at present time.

Here are some of the main types of banks in India:

1. Commercial Banks

These are the most common types of banks and include both public sector banks (government-owned) and private sector banks (privately owned).

Public sector banks = State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Bank of Baroda. Private sector banks = HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

2. Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)

RRBs are government-owned banks that primarily operate in rural areas to provide banking and financial services to the rural population. They are a specialized category of commercial banks. Most of the Gramin Banks are the example of Regional Rural Banks.

3. Cooperative Banks

Cooperative banks are banks that are owned and operated by their customers or members. These banks are often found at the state, district, or local level and focus on providing financial services to specific communities or groups.

4. Foreign Banks

These are banks that are headquartered in foreign countries but have a presence and operate in India. Examples include Citibank, Standard Chartered Bank, and HSBC.

5. Payment Banks

Payment banks are a relatively new category of banks in India that focus on providing basic banking services such as savings accounts, remittances, and payments. They are not allowed to lend money or issue credit cards. Examples include Airtel Payments Bank and Paytm Payments Bank.

6. Nationalized Bank

These are banks that were once privately owned but were nationalized by the Indian government. They are now part of the public sector. Examples include Bank of India and Allahabad Bank.

Apart from these, the other banks are small finance banks, Development banks and Export-Import (EXIM) banks.

How Bank works ?

Banks play a crucial role in the economy by facilitating financial transactions, providing a safe place for people to store their money, and offering various financial services.

Here's an overview of how banks work:

1. Accepting Deposits

Banks accept deposits from individuals, businesses, and other institutions. These deposits can be in the form of savings accounts, current accounts, fixed deposits, or other specialized accounts.

2. Safekeeping of Funds

One of the primary functions of a bank is to provide a secure place for customers to store their money. Banks have robust security measures in place to protect customers' deposits from theft and other risks.

3. Lending Money

Banks use a portion of the funds deposited by customers to provide loans and credit to individuals and businesses. They charge interest on these loans, which is a source of income for the bank.

4. Payment Services

Banks facilitate various payment services, including issuing checks, providing debit and credit cards, and enabling electronic fund transfers. This allows customers to make payments to others and access their funds conveniently.

5. Investing and Asset Management

Banks often invest their own funds and those of their customers in various financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, and government securities. They may also offer wealth management and investment advisory services.

6. Foreign Exchange Services

Many banks offer foreign exchange services to help customers with currency exchange and international transactions.

7. Credit Creation

One of the key functions of banks is to create credit. When a bank lends money, it doesn't need to have an equivalent amount of cash on hand. Instead, it uses a fraction of the deposits and creates credit by lending out a multiple of those deposits. This process is known as fractional reserve banking.

8. Interests on Deposit

Banks pay interest on certain types of deposits, such as savings accounts and fixed deposits. The interest rate varies based on the type of account and prevailing market conditions.

9. Risk Management

Banks assess the creditworthiness of borrowers before granting loans to mitigate the risk of defaults. They use various financial tools and risk management techniques to minimize losses.

10. Regulation and Supervision

Banks are subject to regulations and oversight by government authorities and central banks to ensure their stability and protect the interests of depositors.

It's important to note that the specific functions and services offered by banks may vary depending on the type of bank (e.g., commercial bank, investment bank, central bank) and the country's regulatory environment. Banks are crucial intermediaries in the financial system, channeling funds from savers to borrowers and providing essential services that support economic activity.

How Bank Earns Money ?

Banks earn money through a variety of financial activities and services they offer to customers.

Here are some of the primary ways banks generate revenue:

1. Interest Rate Spread

Banks borrow money from depositors and other sources at a lower interest rate and lend it out to borrowers at a higher interest rate. The difference between the interest rate they pay on deposits and the interest rate they charge on loans is called the interest rate spread, and it represents a significant source of income for banks.

2. Interest and Fees on Loans

Banks provide loans to individuals, businesses, and governments, and they earn money by charging interest on these loans. They may also levy fees for loan origination, late payments, or other services related to the loan.

3. Interest on Investments

Banks often invest in various financial instruments such as government and corporate bonds, stocks, and other securities. The interest and dividends earned from these investments contribute to their income.

4. Service Charges and Fees

Banks charge fees for various services, such as checking and savings account maintenance, wire transfers, ATM usage (especially at out-of-network ATMs), overdrafts, and more. These fees can be a significant source of revenue, especially for retail banks.

5. Asset Management

Banks may offer wealth management and investment advisory services to high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. They earn fees based on the assets they manage and the financial advice they provide.

6. Trading and Investment Banking

Investment banks engage in trading activities in financial markets, such as buying and selling stocks, bonds, derivatives, and currencies. They also earn fees from facilitating mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs), and other corporate financial transactions.

7. Asset Securitization

Banks can bundle loans (e.g., mortgages or auto loans) into securities and sell them to investors. They earn fees for originating, underwriting, and servicing these securitized assets.

8. Credit Card Operations

Banks that issue credit cards make money through interest on outstanding balances, annual fees, late fees, and interchange fees paid by merchants for processing credit card transactions.

9. Foreign Exchange Services

Banks provide currency exchange services for businesses and travelers, earning money through the spread between buying and selling exchange rates.

10. Investment is Subsidiaries

Many banks have subsidiaries or affiliates in various financial sectors, such as insurance, asset management, and brokerage services. They earn dividends and fees from these subsidiary companies.

11. Treasury Services

Banks offer treasury management services to businesses, helping them manage their cash flow, optimize working capital, and process payments efficiently. Fees for these services can be a source of income.

12. Government and Corporate Banking

Banks often provide banking services to government entities and large corporations, earning fees for managing their accounts, facilitating transactions, and providing financial advice.

It's important to note that the specific revenue mix may vary from one bank to another, depending on their size, business focus, and the economic environment. Additionally, regulatory changes and market conditions can impact the ways banks earn money.