Banks: Evolution, 1 Types & Functions
BANKS: EVOLUTION, 1 TYPES & FUNCTIONS BANK: DEFINITION The word bank is derived from Latin word ‘bancus’, French word ‘banque’, Italian word ‘banca’, meaning "table"; German word ‘banc’, meaning bench or counter. Benches were used as makeshift desks or exchange counters during the Renaissance by Jewish bankers, who used to make their transactions atop desks covered by green tablecloths. The Indian Banking Regulations Act, 1949 defines the term Banking as the accepting, for the purpose of lending or investment, of deposits of money from the public, repayable on demand or otherwise, and withdrawal by cheque, draft, order or otherwise. According to the Indian Banking Regulations Act, 1949 a Banking Company means any company which transacts the business of banking. Thus, a company which is engaged in the manufacture of goods or carries on any trade and which accepts deposits of money from the public merely for the purpose of financing its business as such manufacturer or trader shall not be deemed to transact the business of banking. The activities specified in the Act as banking activities are lending, borrowing, accepting and discounting of bills, dealing in foreign currency, deposit lockers, transfer of money etc. The Act prohibits a bank from buying and selling goods and also from holding immovable property. EVOLUTION OF BANKING There was no such word as ‘banking’ before 1640, although the practice of safe-keeping and savings flourished in the temple of Babylon as early as 2000 B.C. The first bank called the ‘Bank of Venice’ was established in Venice, Italy in 1157 to finance the monarch in his wars.
[Show full text]