Merchant Bank vs Development Bank – Difference and Comparison - Differ Between (2024)

By Sandeep / January 21, 2023

What is a Merchant Bank?

A merchant bank is a financial organization that provides a variety of services, including underwriting, issuing securities, and merger and acquisition advice to big businesses and rich people. A merchant bank concentrates on investment and corporate finance operations, as opposed to a commercial bank, which primarily accepts deposits and disburses loans.

Merchant banks have a long history, with the first merchant banks appearing in the medieval era in Italy. These early merchant banks were responsible for financing trade and commerce by providing merchants with loans and other financial services. Today, merchant banks continue to play a vital role in financing global trade and commerce by providing business capital and advising companies on mergers and acquisitions.

Some merchant banks are also known as “investment banks,” which is a name used for those that primarily deal with corporate finance, with an emphasis on the underwriting and distribution of securities for companies such as IPOs, secondary offerings, and other securities to raise capital for companies. Investment banks also provide advice on Mergers & acquisitions and other financial strategies and help companies navigate the regulatory environment.

What is Development Bank?

A development bank is a financial institution that provides financial and technical support and funds to developing countries for the purpose of economic development. Development banks are owned or controlled by a national government and are focused on providing long-term financing for projects that promote economic growth and development. They play a critical role in helping to mobilize resources and support development projects in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and agriculture.

One of the main functions of a development bank is to provide long-term financing for infrastructure projects and other investments that may not be attractive to commercial banks due to the projects’ high risk and long-term nature. They also provide project management services and technical assistance to support the implementation of these projects.

Another important role of development banks is to promote economic development by providing financing and support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are critical to economic development as they create jobs and drive innovation, but they struggle to access financing from traditional commercial banks. Development banks can provide the financing, technical assistance, and business development services SMEs need to succeed.\

Difference Between Merchant Bank and Development Bank

  • Merchant banks are focused on investment and corporate finance activities, whereas development banks focus on providing financial and technical assistance for economic development in developing countries.
  • Merchant banks are owned by private individuals or institutions, and they focus on making a profit, whereas development banks are owned or controlled by national governments, and they focus on promoting economic growth and development.
  • Merchant banks tend to focus on providing financing and support to small and medium-sized enterprises, whereas development banks tend to provide long-term financing and support for infrastructure projects, energy, and agriculture.
  • Merchant banks tend to have a more flexible investment approach and also tend to be more focused on profitability, whereas development banks tend to have the mandate to promote sustainable development and consider environmental, social, and governance risks.
  • Merchant banks tend to focus on a wide range of sectors; however, some merchant banks do specialize in sectors such as technology or renewable energy, whereas development banks may have a specific mandate to support certain industries, such as agriculture or manufacturing.

Comparison Between Merchant Bank and Development Bank

Parameters of ComparisonMerchant BankDevelopment Bank
FocusedCorporate Finance ActivitiesFinancial & Technical Assistance
OwnershipPrivate IndividualsNational Organizations
FunctionFinancial Support to Small EnterprisesFinancial Support to Developing Countries
Investment ApproachFlexibleComplex/Rigid
MandateWide Range of SectorsAgriculture and Industries

References

  1. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/power-structures-and-regional-development-banks/2BCF53A30DB2864896F7825A1D629DF6
  2. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203709498/rise-merchant-banking-stanley-chapman
Merchant Bank vs Development Bank – Difference and Comparison - Differ Between (2024)

FAQs

What are the two major types of banking institutions explain the differences between them? ›

Commercial banks are the traditional "department stores" of the financial services world. Thrift institutions and credit unions are more like specialty shops that, over time, have expanded their lines of business to better compete for market share.

What are the differences between development banks and commercial banks? ›

Commercial banks primarily focus on providing comprehensive financial services to a broad range of customers while aiming for profitability. Development banks, on the other hand, concentrate on fostering economic development by providing long-term financing for projects and sectors that contribute to societal progress.

What is the difference between a merchant bank and a normal bank? ›

Merchant banks specialize in providing services for private corporations. Unlike retail or commercial banks, merchant banks do not typically provide financial services to the general public. Unlike investment banks, they focus on private companies not public companies.

What is the difference between merchant bank and development bank? ›

Difference Between Merchant Bank and Development Bank

Merchant banks are owned by private individuals or institutions, and they focus on making a profit, whereas development banks are owned or controlled by national governments, and they focus on promoting economic growth and development.

What are the main difference between different types of banking? ›

Key Learning Points

Retail banks offer loan and deposit services to the general public. Deposits are generally insured by the government up to a specified limit. Commercial banks provide services to corporations, with loan and deposit products tailored to these customers' needs.

What are the differences between the two types of financial institutions? ›

Each has some special features: ​Banks emphasize business and consumer accounts, and many provide trust services. Credit unions emphasize consumer deposit and loan services. ​Savings institutions emphasize real estate financing.

What is the primary function of a development bank? ›

Development banks are specialized institutions that provide medium and long-term credit lending facilities. Their main objective is to serve the public interest instead of earning profits. They provide financial assistance to both public as well as private sector institutions.

What is the function of development bank? ›

General development banks are those focused on providing loans for or investing in the equity of industrial and/or infrastructure projects. It includes also banks that provide guarantees so that industrial or infrastructure projects can get private funding.

What is the role of development bank? ›

Development banks are specialized financial institutions. They provide medium and long-term finance to the industrial and agricultural sector. They do term lending, investment in securities and other activities. They even promote saving and investment habit in the public.

What are the disadvantages of merchant banks? ›

Disadvantages of Merchant Bank

Risk: Merchant banks typically invest their own capital in the companies they work with, which means they are exposed to the same risks as other investors. If a company fails, the merchant bank could lose a significant amount of money.

Do merchant banks take deposits? ›

Merchant banks are non-depository banks that generally do not cater to the banking and finance needs of the general public. Merchant banking is a select set of professional services available to large corporations, HNIs, institutional investors, and venture capitalists, among others.

What is a merchant bank in simple terms? ›

Merchant banking is a professional service provided by the merchant banks to their customers considering their financial needs, for adequate consideration in the form of fee. Merchant banks are banks that conduct fundraising, financial advising and loan services to large corporations.

What is the difference between bank and development bank? ›

While Commercial Banks are primarily concerned with profit, Development Banks aim to promote economic and social development by providing financial resources for projects that might not otherwise secure financing from Commercial Banks due to their high risk, long gestation periods, or because they are not immediately ...

What is the difference between a merchant account and a bank account? ›

The main difference between a merchant account and a business bank account is that a merchant account allows you to manage credit card transactions while a business bank account allows you to manage all of your funds.

What is the difference between a merchant and individual bank account? ›

Well, a merchant account is another kind of account that businesses must have, but its function is much more limited than a business or personal account. In short, they allow you to accept online credit or debit card payments and receive funds directly through your website.

What are the two main types of banking? ›

Under the umbrella of banking and finance, the industry has commercial banks—which are consumer facing like Bank of America—as well as central banks—the government entities that regulate the industry and manage monetary policy.

What are 2 types of banks? ›

How Are Banks Regulated?
Types of BanksWhat It Is
Retail BanksBanks that offer services to individuals
Commercial BanksBanks designed for commercial purposes
Investment BanksBanks that manage investment portfolios
8 more rows
Nov 17, 2023

What are the two most common types of banking? ›

Two of the most common types of banks are commercial/retail and investment banks. Mainly based on type, a bank may also provide different financial services starting from providing safe deposit boxes and currency exchange to wealth management and retirement.

What are the two 2 major functions of banks? ›

All banks have to perform two major primary functions namely:
  • Accepting of deposits.
  • Granting of loans and advances.

References

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