Understanding the functions of banks is important for banking professionals and candidates preparing for the JAIIB exam. Banks do more than accept deposits and provide loans. They also offer various financial services, maintain customer relationships, follow KYC and AML guidelines, and ensure the safe handling of customers’ money and information.
Download Functions of Bank Relationships, Norms & Others Study Notes PDF
Candidates preparing for JAIIB 2026 can use the Functions of Bank: Relationships, Norms & Others study notes to revise important banking concepts, banker-customer relationships, KYC/CFT/AML norms, and the key functions of banks.
What are the functions of a bank?
A bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from customers and provides loans to individuals, businesses, and other organisations. Apart from these primary functions, banks offer services such as fund transfers, payment facilities, safe deposit lockers, and investment-related services. They also help customers manage their money and meet their financial needs. With technological developments and increasing competition, banks have expanded their products and services to meet changing customer expectations. The major functions of banks can be classified into the following categories:
- Accepting deposits: Banks accept savings, current, fixed, and recurring deposits from customers.
- Providing loans and advances: Banks lend money to individuals, businesses, farmers, and other eligible borrowers.
- Payment and remittance services: Banks facilitate payments, fund transfers, and other transactions.
- Agency services: Banks collect cheques, pay bills, and perform other activities on behalf of customers.
- Utility services: Banks provide facilities such as lockers, bank statements, and other customer services.
- Digital banking: Banks offer internet banking, mobile banking, and electronic payment facilities.
Why is the banker-customer relationship important?
The banker-customer relationship is established when a customer opens an account or uses a banking service. This relationship is generally contractual and depends on the type of transaction carried out between the bank and the customer. Both parties have specific rights and responsibilities under the applicable terms and conditions. For example, when a customer deposits money, the bank generally becomes the debtor and the customer becomes the creditor. However, the relationship changes according to the service provided.
Banker-customer relationships are broadly classified into two categories:
- General relationship
- Special relationship
What is the general relationship between a banker and a customer?
The general relationship between a banker and a customer mainly arises from accepting deposits and providing loans. Under Section 5(b) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, banking includes accepting deposits of money from the public for lending or investment, repayable on demand or otherwise and withdrawable by cheque, draft, order, or otherwise. Depending on the transaction, the bank and the customer may act as debtor and creditor or creditor and debtor. The two main forms of the general relationship are explained below.
| Type of relationship | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Debtor and creditor | When a customer deposits money in a bank account, the bank generally becomes the debtor, while the customer becomes the creditor. |
| Creditor and debtor | When a bank grants a loan to a customer, the bank becomes the creditor, and the customer becomes the debtor. |
What is the special relationship between a banker and a customer?
A special relationship arises when a bank provides services beyond accepting deposits and granting loans. Under Section 6 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, banks can undertake various other permitted activities. Depending on the service, the bank may act as an agent, trustee, bailee, lessor, or custodian. These relationships involve different rights, duties, and responsibilities for the bank and its customer. The important forms of special relationships are listed below.
| Relationship | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Advisor and client | The bank may provide financial guidance or advisory services to a customer, subject to the nature of the service. |
| Trustee and beneficiary | A bank acting as a trustee manages assets or property for the benefit of a beneficiary under the relevant arrangement. |
| Mortgagor and mortgagee | The customer generally acts as the mortgagor by creating a mortgage over property, while the bank acts as the mortgagee. |
| Bailee and bailor | When goods are entrusted to a bank under a bailment arrangement, the bank acts as the bailee and the customer as the bailor. |
| Agent and principal | The bank may act as an agent when carrying out specified transactions on behalf of a customer, who acts as the principal. |
| Lessor and lessee | When a bank leases an asset, the bank may act as the lessor and the customer as the lessee. |
| Pledger and pledgee | When a customer pledges goods or securities as security, the customer acts as the pledger and the bank as the pledgee. |
| Hypothecator and hypothecatee | The borrower creates a charge over assets while retaining possession, and the bank holds the security interest. |
| Indemnifier and indemnity holder | Under an indemnity arrangement, one party agrees to protect the other against specified losses. |
| Guarantor | A bank may act as a guarantor in permitted transactions, subject to the applicable agreement and regulations. |
| Custodian | A bank may hold or safeguard assets, documents, or securities on behalf of a customer. |
What are KYC, CFT and AML norms in banking?
KYC, CFT, and AML norms help banks verify customer identities, understand the purpose of banking relationships, prevent financial crimes, and manage risks. These guidelines are important for reducing the misuse of banking services for money laundering and terrorist financing. Banks must follow the applicable RBI directions and other relevant legal requirements while opening accounts and monitoring transactions. The three terms have different meanings:
- KYC (Know Your Customer): The process of identifying and verifying customers.
- CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism): Measures designed to prevent funds from being used to finance terrorist activities.
- AML (Anti-Money Laundering): Measures designed to prevent illegally obtained money from being presented as legitimate funds.
What are the main components of KYC guidelines?
Banks must establish appropriate policies and procedures to identify customers, assess risks, and monitor transactions. The main components of KYC guidelines include customer acceptance, customer identification, risk management, and ongoing transaction monitoring. These measures help banks understand their customers and identify suspicious activities. Banks must also maintain relevant records and report transactions where required by law.
| Component | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Customer Acceptance Policy | Establishes the conditions and procedures for accepting customers and opening accounts. |
| Customer Identification Procedure | Requires banks to identify and verify customers using permitted documents and methods. |
| Risk Management | Helps banks assess customers according to their risk profiles and apply appropriate checks. |
| Transaction Monitoring | Helps banks identify unusual or suspicious transactions and take action as required. |
How are bank customers classified according to risk?
Banks classify customers according to their assessed money-laundering and other relevant risks. This classification helps determine the level of due diligence and monitoring required for a particular customer. The risk assessment may consider factors such as the customer’s identity, occupation, business activities, location, transaction patterns, and nature of the banking relationship. The classification must follow the bank’s risk-based policy and applicable regulatory requirements. The broad risk categories are as follows:
- Low-risk customers: Customers assessed as presenting a lower level of risk based on the bank’s criteria.
- Medium-risk customers: Customers whose activities or profiles require a moderate level of monitoring.
- High-risk customers: Customers who require enhanced due diligence because of factors such as higher-risk business activities, complex transactions, or politically exposed person (PEP) status, where applicable.
Customer categories should not be determined solely by occupation or customer type. Banks must assess the relevant risk factors and apply the appropriate due diligence measures.
How often should banks update KYC records?
Banks must periodically update customer identification records and KYC information to ensure that the details remain accurate and current. Under the RBI’s KYC framework, periodic updation depends on the customer’s risk category. The applicable timelines should be checked against the latest RBI directions and the bank’s procedures. The commonly prescribed periodic updation intervals under RBI KYC directions are:
| Customer risk category | Periodic KYC updation |
|---|---|
| High risk | At least once every 2 years |
| Medium risk | At least once every 8 years |
| Low risk | At least once every 10 years |
Banks may also need to update records earlier when required by changes in customer information, risk assessment, or applicable regulatory directions. The prescribed intervals and requirements should be verified against the latest RBI guidelines before use in an examination or operational setting.
What other important concepts are covered under the functions of banks?
Apart from banker-customer relationships and KYC/CFT/AML norms, banking professionals should understand other concepts related to banking operations and financial services. These concepts help explain how banks handle payments, manage customer accounts, provide credit, and support different economic activities. They are also useful for candidates preparing for the JAIIB exam and for professionals working in banking.
- Agricultural finance: Banks provide direct and indirect finance to support agricultural activities and rural development.
- Cheques: A cheque is a bill of exchange drawn on a specified banker and payable on demand, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
- Loans and advances: Banks provide different forms of credit to individuals, businesses, and other eligible borrowers.
- Customer service: Banks help customers with account-related queries, payments, complaints, and other banking requirements.
- Digital banking: Electronic banking services allow customers to access accounts and conduct transactions through digital channels.
- Risk management: Banks identify, assess, and manage risks related to lending, operations, compliance, and other activities.
FAQs
The primary functions of a bank are accepting deposits and providing loans and advances.
It is the legal and contractual relationship between a bank and its customer arising from banking transactions and services.
The two main types are general relationships and special relationships.
A bank generally acts as a debtor when it accepts deposits from a customer.
KYC stands for Know Your Customer, a process used to identify and verify customers
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