Category: Banking

The global market size for financial services is expected to reach an astounding $22.5 trillion in 2021. That figure will climb to $28.5 trillion by 2025.

Among the biggest players in the financial services industry are retail and commercial banks. Both types of institutions are of critical importance to both the domestic and global economies.

But exactly what is retail banking, and how does it differ from commercial banking? If you’re asking this question, you’ve come to the right place. This post sheds more light on the commercial banking vs retail banking discussion.

What Is Private Banking?

The terms retail banking, private banking, and consumer banking are often used interchangeably. They refer to a division of banking that handles retail customers. 

Retail banking focuses on dealing directly with clients located in a close city or town. The retail bank handles much of its activity face to face, in a manner clear and visible to the client.

Given that retail banks serve many clients with a multitude of transactions, it’s referred to as mass-market banking.

Note that retail banking doesn’t solely depend on physical locations. The term simply refers to the business model followed. Simply put, retail banking operates on relatively small or medium-sized transactions.

Thus, many retail banks allow their clients to enjoy the benefits of digital banking by providing online banking services.

The most important source of funds in retail banking is customer deposits. The bank makes a profit through service charges and fees. The institution also earns income from the interest they charge when they lend out money to clients. 

What Is Commercial Banking?

Now that we’ve seen the retail banking definition, it’s time to look at another popular type of banking: commercial banking. Also known as corporate banking, commercial banking provides services to businesses and governments. 

Generally, these are stocking corporations that make money by acting as financial intermediaries. 

Corporate banks tend to have physical locations from which they offer their services. In the recent past, however, these institutions have been increasingly operating online. 

Commercial Banking Vs. Retail Banks: The Main Differences

Retail and commercial banking differ in several important ways. Let’s take a closer look at some of these differences.

Services Offered

Both types of banks provide a large variety of services to their respective clients. Retail banking clients can expect these services:

Checking and Savings Accounts

A retail bank allows its customers to open checking and savings accounts. Once you open a checking account, you’ll be required to pay a monthly fee. 

With a savings account, you earn a slightly higher interest rate. However, you cannot have checks written on the account.

Mortgages

Retail banks also offer different mortgage loan types to their clients. These loans are meant for buying either residential or investment property. Generally, mortgages earn a substantial chunk of retail banking profits due to their size.

Auto Financing

Clients looking for vehicle financing can also talk to retail banks. The banks also provide refinancing for existing car loans.

Credit Cards 

Credit cards are one of the most lucrative sources of interest income for banks. That’s because this service attracts some of the highest interest rates in the industry.

There are, of course, many other services retail banking offers, but these are among the most popular.

Clients looking for commercial banking services can benefit from the following offerings:

Loans and Other Credit Products

Just like retail banks, corporate banks offer different loan facilities. Perhaps the biggest difference here is that the loans involved.

Corporate banking offers more substantial compared to those offered in retail banking. 

Treasury and Cash Management Services  

Corporate banking clients can also benefit from treasury and cash management services. Such services help clients manage their working capital besides meeting their currency conversion needs.

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Equipment Lending 

Clients can benefit from customized loans and leases to acquire a range of equipment. Such equipment may be used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, IT, and transportation. 

Other services offered by corporate banks include:

• Trade finance
• factoring
• letters of credit

These are only some of the services offered by corporate banks. Corporate banking clients can expect to find a range of products they can use to meet their business financial needs.

Target Clients

There’s a huge difference between the clients of these banks.

Generally, retail banking focuses on individuals. Commercial banking is more concerned with corporate clients, from SMEs to large conglomerates. 

Volume and Value of Transactions

In retail banking, the volume of transactions is typically high. However, the value of transactions is low, given that the client base consists of individuals and small businesses. 

In contrast, the volume of transactions is much lower in commercial banking. The value of these transactions, however, is considerably much higher as the client base is typically made of sizable business enterprises. 

Product Customization

Generally, retail banking involves little product and service customisation. Most products are standardised, also referred to as off-the-shelf products. 

Things are different with corporate banking, customised where the products and services are highly personalised to meet the client’s specific requirements and preferences.

Commercial Banking Vs Retail Banking: Now You Know The Differences

Hopefully, the commercial banking vs retail banking conversation is clearer to you now. While the two banking approaches provide services essential to the economy, their target clients, volume and value of transactions, and service customisation levels are significantly different. 

We hope you enjoyed this article about the differences between commercial and retail banking. Are you looking for more information about finance? Check out our blog section for more content.

Private banking is an exclusive service offered to people with a high net worth. The best private bank will give you a dedicated relationship manager and, in some cases, uses a team approach to give you expert advice on a variety of financial subjects.

Clients get access to a range of financial services, which may include financial planning advice, exclusive credit cards, portfolio management, investment strategies, retirement planning, and hedge fund investing among others.

While often used interchangeably, the terms private banking and wealth management don’t refer to the same thing. Wealth management is a broad category that deals with optimizing a client’s portfolio. Personal banking offers personalized care and management of finances for the extremely wealthy.

Do You Qualify for Private Banking?

Being the realm of the rich, private banking is not available to everyone who has a savings or checking account. The specific eligibility requirements vary from bank to bank, but the service is reserved for high-net-worth individuals. Some banks are happy with clients who have six figures in investable assets while others demand eight-figures.

Investable assets are any assets that are liquid or easily liquidated. They may include the money in checking and savings accounts, bonds, retirement accounts, money market accounts, trusts, and stocks. Understandably, many banking institutions don’t make their standards known.

It is possible to qualify for private banking even if you don’t meet the minimum requirements. A good example of an exception to the rules is the children of wealthy individuals. Banking institutions are always looking to the future, specifically wealth transfers. They want to make sure that funds stay with them even after the wealth changes hands.

Young professionals who, based on their education and career path, appear to be on the track to meeting minimum requirements may receive an exception. Commonly referred to as the emerging affluent, they can prove valuable clients for the private bank and wealth management firms in the future.

Should You Become a Private Banking Client?

The concierge nature of private banking is one of the factors that makes it such an attractive product. However, that’s not all it has to offer. Private bankers offer a one-stop-shop for all of your banking needs. That said, here are some of the benefits you can expect with private banking.

1. Dedicated Representative

The main perk of private banking is that you are assigned a dedicated representative, or a team of people, whose job is t understand your circumstances and cater to your financial needs. The representative makes it easier to initiate wire transfers, deposit checks, and more.

You will never have to worry about waiting on hold to talk to the next available representative. Because your dedicated manager has intimate knowledge about your financial situation, you won’t have to repeat your preferences every time you need something at the bank.

2. High Investment Returns

Banking institutions allocate the best-performing staff to the private banking division to manage the finances of high-net-worth individuals. The result is higher investment returns for the clients.

The average rate of returns from private banking investments is 7% to 13%. Sometimes that rate goes as high as 30%. The extensive resources offered by private banking allow clients access to investment vehicles like high-performance hedge funds. You also get expert advice on investment options with high rates of returns.

3. Access to a Network of Specialists

Your dedicated manager has got you covered and will connect you to the right specialists. They will connect you to the best tax attorney, estate advisor, investment analyst, or any other specialist you need. The ability to have your private banker set up meetings with these specialists can be a time-saving perk for you.

For many private banks and wealth management firms, having a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary team of professionals with expertise in different financial areas is the key to business success. It allows them to provide the best wealth advisory services, which is key when dealing with high-net-worth clients.

4. Perks and Discounts

Every private bank offers some perks for their clients as a reward for the large volume of business they bring. Services like estate management, tax preparation, wealth management & investment advice, and corporate checking will be offered at a discount.

The foreign exchange rates are attractive for clients involved in the export and import business. Those involved in real estate will benefit from fast-tracked transaction processing through lead advisors. You will get access to lines of credit at lower interest rates than regular clients.

If opening a savings account, the bank may give you a higher annual percentage yield. From time to time, private banks host exclusive events so that they can interact with their high-net-worth clients. And even with the ongoing pandemic, there are still virtual opportunities like virtual wine tasting to connect.

5. One-Stop-Shop

In addition to discounted products, private banking clients get everything consolidated under one roof. You get enhanced services from a dedicated manager, who acts as the liaison with different departments within the bank. This ensures that you only get the best without having to knock on every door.

6. Privacy

Customer dealings and transactions offered to high-net-worth individuals such as private banking are anonymous. You will have access to proprietary products, and the dealings will be confidential to prevent competitors from selling similar products to the same people.

A culture of privacy is important to the wealthy as publicizing personal information could compromise their business interests. It helps protect them in case of lawsuits involving their investments. For most, keeping personal information private provides a sense of security.

7. Business Benefits

If you are a business owner, a relationship with a private bank can help your business grow faster. You can open your business and personal account with the same private bank, and enjoy lending opportunities and other benefits.

Moving funds from one account to the other will be hassle-free. Not to mention, you get to enjoy promos and discounts offered to regular clients.

Enjoy the Best of Private Banking

If you’re searching online for “private banks near me”, the guide above will help you choose the best private bank for you. Private banking makes it easy for high-net-worth individuals to manage their financial affairs in one place. It’s something to consider if you have over $500,000 investable assets and need the convenience of a bank concierge.

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In recent years, online banking has continued to grow as banks offer more and more online and mobile banking services. In fact, 73% of banking customers use online banking at least once a month. Similarly, 59% use mobile banking at least once a month. 

With this rapid rise in popularity comes some concerns for bank account holders. Luckily, it is easy to avoid the most common online banking mistakes. We’ll take a look at what to keep an eye on and how you can make online banking a breeze.

1. Login Safety Mistakes

One of the most common banking mistakes is not having adequate safety measures set for online banking services. You should never use auto-login features. This can make it too easy for someone else to access your account. 

Instead, use a password or biometrics login on your phone. If possible, you should also use two-factor authentication to ensure additional safety. 

It’s also important to choose a unique username and password, one that you do not use anywhere else. Your bank may be taking strict online security measures but other websites you use may not. 

If a hacker finds out your password on another website and then learns that you have used it in multiple places, they could have easy access to everything, including your bank account. For similar reasons, you should also change your password regularly, so if a security breach does occur your account is not at risk for long.

Speaking of passwords, it is imperative that your bank account password is very strong. Use a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. Make sure it’s not easy to guess either.

2. Unsecure Online Access

How you access your online bank account is also important. This is particularly true if you plan on accessing your online bank in public or through a device you don’t own. 

Don’t bank on public wi-fi if you can avoid it. You also shouldn’t use public computers. Even if you log out completely, hackers can still record keystrokes to gain access to your accounts.

When using your bank’s website, make sure the web address includes “https://”. The “s” is important as it indicates that there are extra security features protecting you.

If you want to download your bank’s app, make sure it is the official one. Download it via iTunes or Google Play. You may even be able to download it through your bank’s website. Either way, make sure your phone is also protected with a strong password too.

3. Not Checking Banking Activity

Another common online banking mistake is not frequently checking your online banking activity. If fraudulent activity occurs, it’s important to catch it early so you can talk to your bank and rectify any issues. 

But in order to do that, you need to actively be aware of what is going on within your account. Online and mobile banking make it easy to view your recent activity. Simply look through your transactions once a month to make sure everything is how it should be. 

If you notice anything is off, you should then immediately get in touch with your bank. Doing this does not take a lot of time and could prevent you from having to deal with much larger problems down the road. 

Additional online banking services can make staying on top of your account even easier. Many banks allow you to enrol in email, text, or push alerts that are triggered by certain activities. These could include unusual activity, balance thresholds, or transactions meeting certain criteria. 

These options are usually available in your profile or through the security features section of the website. Signing up for these options lets you know about problems with your account between times when you check on it. This can help you keep an eye out for anything unusual.

4. Handling Mobile Deposited Checks

Being able to remotely deposit checks can save you a lot of time. But, it’s important that you handle mobile check deposits correctly.

Instead of throwing the check away as soon as you deposit it, keep it for two weeks. It takes a few days for the check to clear. If there is a problem reading the check, you’ll have proof of the correct amount. Afterwards, be sure to shred the check, instead of only throwing it in the trash.

5. Mistakes When Making Online Payments

Online payments make it easy to send money to others and pay bills. But, you need to be very careful when doing these actions.

If you are scheduling a payment, make sure the date is correct. Sending it too late could cause late fees if it’s a bill. Also double-check the amount you enter. Even a slight change in decimal can make a huge difference.

Finally, be sure you follow through with the payment. Online banking portals may have multiple steps. Follow through and make sure you end up with a confirmation page or email. Otherwise, you could owe late fees for your bills if the payment isn’t fully completed.

6. Sending and Receiving Money 

If you send money to another person or account, be sure to double-check their details very carefully. If the details are wrong, you could send the money to a different person or business. This is very difficult to correct as the other person would need to approve returning the money.

If you expect to receive money from someone else, also make sure the details you give them are correct. Otherwise, you may not receive the money you are expecting. This can be difficult to fix too if the person accidentally sends it to someone else.

Avoid Online Banking Mistakes

Online banking is an important part of modern financial management. This is why avoiding common online banking mistakes is so important. Taking these measures can save time, money, and a lot of potential heartache. 

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Are you looking for a new and trusted bank to handle your financial services? Choosing a bank isn’t always easy. While it’s tempting to just go with the bank that you’ve always used, when your financial needs change, you need to look at your options to find the best one for you. 

But how do you choose? What should you keep in mind when you need a new bank?

We have a few factors for you to consider. Keep reading to learn more so you can find your new bank with ease. 

1. Your Banking Needs

So what kind of bank are you looking for, anyway?

Depending on your specific needs, you might choose banks that cater to them. For example, are you looking for a basic business bank account, or is this for your personal bank account?

Are you trying to combine the two? 

When you’re looking for a bank, don’t be afraid to ask about how they treat each kind of account and the specific benefits that they offer that relate to these accounts.

If you have a business in need of a bank, what kind of support does the bank offer? Are there staff members available that can advise you on business growth? Can the bank scale with your business? 

A great personal bank doesn’t equal a great business bank. While many banks offer adequate services for both, it doesn’t hurt to check. 

2. Bank Perks

Many banks offer great perks to new members, and there’s nothing wrong with trying to take advantage of them. What is your bank of choice willing to offer you?

Some banks offer a money bonus (like a gift card) when you join. Others may have discounts on hotels, transportation, or other necessities that are exclusive to their members. 

Bank perks shouldn’t be your primary decision-makers, but they don’t hurt. 

3. Your Credit Score

Did you know that some banks filter clients based on their credit scores? While having a normal credit score is often enough, some banks may favour you if you have a high credit score. 

Credit requirements often only apply to people who are trying to open a business account. The bank wants to ensure that you’re a secure client, and they have enough clients that they’re able to pick and choose.

Before you choose a bank, check on credit requirements and work on building or maintaining your credit score. 

4. The Locations (or Lack Thereof)

Are you used to having a bank that’s in a brick and mortar location? There are a few things that you want to keep in mind when you’re trying to choose in that case.

First, how accessible is the bank for you? Are there multiple locations that make it easy to access your required services on the go?

It’s a good idea to choose a bank that has a location somewhere that you frequent. For example, many grocery stores have banks nearby or even within the building for easy access.

Also, keep ATMs in mind. It’s annoying to find yourself needing to withdraw money only to be hit with ATM fees because your bank’s ATM isn’t available. If there are insufficient bank or ATM locations and you’re someone that spends a lot of time travelling around, you might want to consider another bank.

That said, it’s getting more popular for banks to move online and get rid of brick and mortar options. Consider whether or not you’re comfortable with this.

These online banks are easy to access wherever you are, but when it comes to withdrawing cash without fees, they’re lacking. While they often offer easy online support and chat options, they also don’t have the in-person interactions that many people rely on. 

If you value personal connections and the ability to go to a physical location to get help or withdraw money, in-person bank services might be best for you. If you value ease of use and accessibility, online banks are also great. 

5. Digital Options

Most banks, even if they have a “real” location, also offer digital services. This combines the in-person features of a brick and mortar bank with some of the accessibility and perks of an online bank.

When you’re looking into your bank, ask about their digital services.

Some smaller banks have insufficient digital options. Their sites might be clunky, slow, or difficult to use, and they sometimes don’t have all of the features of larger bank websites.

This doesn’t make small banks bad, and it doesn’t mean that all small banks have problematic websites. 

A good bank website should allow you to get support, check your bank statements, move money around for online purchases or transfers, and make it easy to open up secondary accounts (like savings accounts). If you have a specific digital service in mind, ask about it before you make your choice. 

6. Savings Account Options

Speaking of savings accounts, they aren’t all the same. 

While safety is the primary concern with a savings account, you should also look into interest rates. A savings account with a strong interest rate can protect your money (in a small way, at least) against inflation. 

A good savings account works as a slow investment. An account with no interest (or low interest) should be a red flag. 

7. Basic Services

What kinds of common banking services are you looking for from your new bank? 

Regardless of whether the bank is for business or personal use, you want to know that you’ll be able to access the services that you rely on for your banking. 

For example, are you someone who likes to have a tax professional on hand? Good bankers are often able to handle difficult tax questions and concerns. How does this bank handle loans? 

There are plenty of services that you want to keep in mind when you’re choosing a bank. Make a list and compare it against the services listed on their website, or call to confirm. 

Choosing a Bank Isn’t as Easy as It Seems

There are plenty of options for banks, more so now that online banks are so common. This makes choosing a bank confusing and sometimes overwhelming.

If you keep these factors in mind next time you’re trying to set up a new bank account, you’ll be one step closer to finding a bank that you love and trust. Choosing a bank is a big commitment, so don’t take it lightly. 

Are you looking for more helpful financial resources? Check out our journal for everything that you need to know to stay updated on business, economics, and finance. 

You got to give credit where credit is due. And sometimes, credit is due to you. Credit allows you to pay back your debts and get loans. Millions of people in the United Kingdom have credit cards and use them wisely. But the average credit card debt per household still totals over 2,100 pounds.  Many people assume that all types of credit are alike.

But there are some significant differences among the types of credit. Understand how credit works and you can reduce your debt. Here is a quick guide. 

Revolving Credit

If you have a credit card, you probably have a revolving credit account. Revolving credit provides you with a maximum credit line. 

Once you hit that line, your creditor assigns a payment you must make. You cannot use your credit line until you pay your payment in full. Most creditors allow monthly payments, but plans can differ. 

If you cannot pay your monthly payment, it will roll into the next month. Your creditor will charge that payment with interest. Some creditors charge very high rates of interest, so you should try to pay in full every month. 

The more on-time payments you make, the higher your credit scores will be. You are more likely to receive approval for loans and advance payments. Using less than your credit limit will also assist your credit scores. 

Some creditors charge additional fees on top of interest rates. You may have to pay a cash advance or foreign transaction fee. Read the terms and conditions of your contract carefully before signing. 

Instalment Credit

If you take out a loan, you probably have instalment credit. Instalment credit lets you borrow a set amount, which you pay off with fixed monthly payments. 

Your contract determines the amount you will borrow and the time period of the loan. Even if you make on-time payments, you may have to pay interest. Keep a close eye on what the interest rates are through time. 

Some contracts do not allow you to pay your loan off early. They may charge you a penalty for doing so, which can be higher than the amount you pay over time. 

Several factors determine the terms of your contract. Your credit score is a major determinant. If you have paid off your loans on-time, your terms will be more lenient. 

Your debt-to-income ratio is almost as important. If you have little debt on hand, your payments will be lower. The bank may make your payments higher if you have a high income. 

You should show a stable history of employment, with no long gaps between jobs. You should also display any additional sources of income you have. The more sources, the more likely you will receive a strong line of credit. 

Open Credit

Open accounts are rarer than revolving or instalment accounts. But some utility and cell phone companies do offer them. 

An open account provides a balance that you must pay in full every month. Open creditors do not charge interest, but they can charge penalties if you don’t pay. In exchange for your regular payments, you receive services. 

Open lines of credit don’t appear initially on your credit report. Companies may refer your information to credit bureaus if you are late on your payments. 

An open credit account is the simplest kind of credit. As long as you pay every month, you should not run into difficulty.

Secured Business Line of Credit

If you are looking to start a business, you may receive a secured business line of credit. This is a special type of loan that is similar to a revolving line. 

A secured business line sets a maximum amount that you can borrow. However, you can keep borrowing past your line. You need to make a payment, but you can break your payments up so you can keep borrowing. 

To receive a secured line, you need to provide collateral. The most common types of collateral are property and equipment. Banks usually do not accept stocks for secured lines.

Real Estate Line of Credit

If you want to invest in real estate, you need to have some money upfront. A real estate line of credit can get you the resources you need. 

Home equity determines many real estate lines. An investor exchanges equity they have in their house for money from a creditor. They can use that money to purchase a property, usually to renovate or flip the property. 

Their line of credit is limited to what the investor receives from the creditor. But an investor has no restrictions on how they can use the cash. The credit line requires no other financial statements besides a personal credit report. 

A real estate line is the best line of credit for a quick payment. But it requires a high credit score.

You can use the equity in your house as collateral and pay the loan back through monthly payments. If you default on your loan, the creditor can place a lien on your house. 

The Five Different Types of Credit

Many people struggle with credit. They don’t understand how payments work, let alone that there are multiple types of credit. But you can distinguish amongst them. 

A revolving credit line charges monthly payments. These payments can incur interest if they are not paid off. An instalment line provides less interest but sets firmer conditions for when you make payments. 

Most utility companies use open lines of credit. Secured business lines are good if you want to start a business, while real estate lines are good for real estate investors. 

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