Prime Services offered by a commercial bank include processing of payments by way of telegraphic transfer, issuing bank drafts and bank cheques, accepting money on term deposits, lending money through overdraft or through installment, providing letter of credit, safe keeping of documents, currency exchanges thereby enacting the role of a financial supermarket. The Commercial Bank lays more importance on loans that it provides to its customers. These loans are Secured Loans, Mortgage Loans & Unsecured Loans. A secured loan is one in which a borrower pledges some asset as collateral against the loan. A mortgage loan is granted to purchase property against security provided to the bank until the mortgage is paid of in full. The mortgage or loan can be repaid in easy installments. Unsecured loans are granted without any specific securities, under marketing packages like credit cards, debit cards, corporate bonds, etc. All in all a commercial bank raises funds by collecting deposits from businesses and consumers via checkable deposits, savings deposits, and time (or term) deposits & loans it to businesses and consumers. It also buys corporate bonds and government bonds. Its primary liabilities are deposits and primary assets are loans and bonds.
Commercial Banking in India categorizes itself into project finance & working capital. In the case of Project Finance banks in India offers long & short term loans to business houses to set up their projects. These kinds of loans are issued after approval from banks core credit validating committee. The Project Finance segment in the commercial department is highly competitive with different players in the department trying to get the best deals done by enticing different corporate houses and business organizations to opt for the loan by providing lucrative offers. Working Capital or Capital Funds are issued by banks to corporate or business houses to meet diverse needs and requirements of the business community. Working capital finance is specialized line of business and is largely dominated by the commercial banks.
Commercial Banking in India saw dramatic changes in the last decade after Indias integration with world economy. These economic reforms and the entry of private players saw nationalized banks revamp their service and product portfolio to incorporate new, innovative customer-centric schemes. Marketing and brand building programs were also given a new thrust in the new liberalized banking scenario. Promotional budgets were hiked to cater to the new and large discerning target audience. To meet the personalized needs of the customer and in order to differentiate its services, banks repositioned themselves in specialized fields, like housing loans, car finance, educational loans etc. to optimally service the customer. As of today Commercial Banking in India dominates other areas of banking such as retail banking and investing banking, solely due to influx and the term called installments that lures the customers to opt for loans to satisfy their business needs whether it is corporate or personal needs in terms of a mortgage loan. Commercial banking in India has definitely brought in a new dimension to regulation of finances in the Indian market.