Thursday, December 10, 2009

Wider commercial role

The commercial role of banks is not limited to banking, and includes:

  • issue of banknotes (promissory notes issued by a banker and payable to bearer on demand)
  • processing of payments by way of telegraphic transfer, EFTPOS, internet banking or other means
  • issuing bank drafts and bank cheques
  • accepting money on term deposit
  • lending money by way of overdraft, installment loan or otherwise
  • providing documentary and standby letters of credit (trade finance), guarantees, performance bonds, securities underwriting commitments and other forms of off-balance sheet exposures
  • safekeeping of documents and other items in safe deposit boxes
  • currency exchange
  • acting as a 'financial supermarket' for the sale, distribution or brokerage, with or without advice, of insurance, unit trusts and similar financial products
source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank