Difference between Commercial Bank and Central Bank - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

Last Updated : 28 Feb, 2024

Improve

Banks are the backbone of any economy. Commercial Bank and Central Bank are two types of banks with various differences. Commercial Banks are responsible for accepting deposits and granting loans whereas Central Bank works as a regulatory body for all the commercial banks and monetary system.

Difference between Commercial Bank and Central Bank - GeeksforGeeks (1)

Table of Content

  • What is Commercial Bank?
  • What is Central Bank?
  • Commercial Bank v/s Central Bank

What is Commercial Bank?

An institution that performs different functions like accepting deposits, making investments with the motive of earning profits, and granting loans is known as a Commercial Bank. For example, different commercial banks in India are the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank, etc.

What is Central Bank?

An apex body that controls, operates, regulates, and directs a country’s banking and monetary structure is known as a Central Bank. As the functions of a central bank are peculiar, there is only one central bank of a country. For example, the central bank of India is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Different functions of a Central Bank include currency authority, banker to the government, banker’s bank and supervisor, controller of money supply and credit, and custodian of foreign exchange reserves.

Commercial Bank v/s Central Bank

Basis

Commercial Bank

Central Bank

MeaningAn institution that performs different functions like accepting deposits, making investments with the motive of earning profits, and granting loans.An apex body that controls, operates, regulates, and directs a country’s banking and monetary structure.
OwnershipA commercial bank can be owned and governed by the private sector or government sector.The central bank is usually owned and governed by the government.
StatusA commercial bank is just a unit of a country’s banking structure that operates under the control of the Central Bank.The central bank is an apex institution in the money market.
Issue of CurrencyA commercial bank does not have the power to issue currency.The central bank has a sole monopoly on issue of currency.
ObjectiveThe basic aim of a commercial bank is maximisation of profits.The central bank does not have a profit motive and works in the public interest.
Public DealingA commercial bank directly deals with the public.The central bank does not directly deal with the public.
Number of BanksThere are a huge number of commercial banks in a country. For example, different commercial banks in India are the State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, etc.There is only one central bank in a country. For example, the central bank of India is the Reserve Bank of India.

Like Article

Suggest improvement

Share your thoughts in the comments

Please Login to comment...

Difference between Commercial Bank and Central Bank - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

FAQs

Difference between Commercial Bank and Central Bank - GeeksforGeeks? ›

While commercial banks deal directly with the end users, central banks offer their products and services to the government and other commercial banks. There are several differences between commercial and central banks regarding the services and products offered, the clients they serve, their responsibilities, etc.

What is the main difference between commercial bank and other bank? ›

The key difference between retail and commercial banking is who the products are designed for. While retail banks service individuals, communities, small businesses, and families, commercial banks focus on larger companies, government entities, and institutions.

What are the 5 functions of a commercial bank? ›

Commercial banks perform various functions that are as follows:
  • Accepting deposits. The basic function of commercial banks is to accept deposits of the customers. ...
  • Granting loans and advances. ...
  • Agency functions. ...
  • Discounting bills of exchange. ...
  • Credit creation. ...
  • Other functions.

What are the three key functions of a central bank? ›

What Are the Essential Roles of a Central Bank? The essential roles of a central bank are to affect monetary policy, be the lender of last resort, and oversee the banking system.

What is an example of a central bank? ›

The U.S. Federal Reserve is one of the most powerful central banks in the world. The European Central Bank oversees the policies of the eurozone. Other notable central banks include the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the Swiss National Bank, the Bank of Canada, and the Reserve Banks of Australia and New Zealand.

What is the biggest difference between commercial and central banks? ›

The central bank and Commercial bank are the important financial institutions of a country. The central bank is an institution that is responsible for the monetary policies of the country while the commercial bank provides banking and other financial services to the general public.

What are the three differences between a commercial bank and a central bank? ›

The central bank is usually owned and governed by the government. A commercial bank is just a unit of a country's banking structure that operates under the control of the Central Bank. The central bank is an apex institution in the money market. A commercial bank does not have the power to issue currency.

Can a commercial bank create money? ›

Commercial banks perform the function of credit creation in an economy. Therefore, the money that is created by commercial banks is known as credit money.

What are the two main functions of a commercial bank? ›

Answer: The primary functions of a commercial bank are accepting deposits and also lending funds. Deposits are savings, current, or time deposits. Also, a commercial bank lends funds to its customers in the form of loans and advances, cash credit, overdraft and discounting of bills, etc.

What is the most important function of a commercial bank? ›

The main purpose of commercial banks is to provide financial services to the general public and also provide loan facilities to the business which helps in ensuring economic stability and growth of the economy. Therefore, we can say that credit creation is the most important purpose of commercial banks.

Is the Fed a central bank? ›

The U.S. central banking system—the Federal Reserve, or the Fed—is the most powerful economic institution in the United States, perhaps the world. Its core responsibilities include setting interest rates, managing the money supply, and regulating financial markets.

Who owns the 12 Federal Reserve banks? ›

Federal Reserve Banks' stock is owned by banks, never by individuals. Federal law requires national banks to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to own a specified amount of the stock of the Reserve Bank in the Federal Reserve district where they are located.

Who controls the Federal Reserve? ›

The Board of Governors--located in Washington, D.C.--is the governing body of the Federal Reserve System. It is run by seven members, or "governors," who are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed in their positions by the U.S. Senate.

Who controls the central bank? ›

The Board of Governors, an agency of the federal government that reports to and is directly accountable to Congress, provides general guidance for the System and oversees the 12 Reserve Banks.

What is the most powerful central bank in the world? ›

The Federal Reserve System was the largest central bank in the world in 2022, with total assets exceeding 8.57 trillion U.S. dollars. The Federal Reserve System consists of 12 Federal Reserve Banks, with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York holding by far the highest value of assets.

What is central bank in simple words? ›

A central bank is a public institution that is responsible for implementing monetary policy, managing the currency of a country, or group of countries, and controlling the money supply.

What is the difference between commercial bank and private bank? ›

What is the difference between commercial banking and private banking? Commercial banking is a type of banking that provides services to businesses, corporations, and other commercial entities, while private banking provides services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and trusts.

What is the difference between commercial banking and personal banking? ›

Commercial banking is another name for corporate banking, which offers banking services to businesses, governments, and other institutions. While retail banking offers its services to people for personal use, commercial banking serves institutions.

What is the difference between commercial bank and non banking institution? ›

The non-banking financial institution which comes under the category of financial institutions cannot accept deposits into savings and demand deposit accounts. A bank is a financial institution which can accept deposits into various savings and demand deposit accounts, and give out loans.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5765

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.