Considerations of security form an important basis of lending. In fact, they constitute necessary adjunct to financial appraisal. Lending institutions have to examine the loan proposals from the point of view of nature and extent of security offered. Sometimes, there is a greater reliance on security due to inadequate financial appraisal, which in its turn may be due to non-availability of the necessary data. The security cover of the loan should, however, not be regarded as a substitute for an adequate financial assessment. Security considerations are of particular importance in less developed countries like India where information on the character, integrity and credit-worthiness of the borrowers is not readily available and much ground work has yet to be done in the establishment of credit information bureaus. A prudent term lending institution, therefore, secures its loan by adequate collateral and, where necessary, guarantees. It also embodies in the loan agreement suitable Continue reading
Business Finance
Business Finance is that business activity which is concerned with the acquisition and conservation of capital funds in meeting financial needs and overall objectives of business enterprises.
Different Products and Services Offered by Banks
Broad Classification of Products Offered by Banks The different products in a bank can be broadly classified into: Retail Banking. Trade Finance. Treasury Operations. Retail Banking and Trade finance operations are conducted at the branch level while the wholesale banking operations, which cover treasury operations, are at the head office or a designated branch. Retail Banking: Deposits Loans, Cash Credit and Overdraft Negotiating for Loans and advances Remittances Book-Keeping (maintaining all accounting records) Receiving all kinds of bonds valuable for safe keeping Trade Finance: Issuing and confirming of letter of credit. Drawing, accepting, discounting, buying, selling, collecting of bills of exchange, promissory notes, drafts, bill of lading and other securities. Treasury Operations: Buying and selling of bullion, Foreign exchange. Acquiring, holding, underwriting and dealing in shares, debentures, etc. Purchasing and selling of bonds and securities on behalf of constituents. The banks can also act as an agent of the Government Continue reading
Lending procedures of development banks
Development banks follow a procedure for evaluating a proposal for a project. The basic objective is to check whether the applicant fulfils various conditions prescribed by the lending institution and the project is viable. The acceptance of a wrong proposal will result in the wastage of scarce resources. These banks adopt the following procedure for lending: 1. Project Appraisal and Eligibility of Applicant Every financial institution serves a particular area of activity or there are certain limits prescribed beyond which they cannot go. Before processing the application, it is important to find out whether the applicant is eligible under the norms of the institution or not. The second aspect which is looked into is to determine whether the enterprise has fulfilled various conditions prescribed by the government. In case some license is required from the government. It should have been taken or an assurance is received from the licensing authority. Continue reading
Financial Derivative Types: Swaps
Swap is yet another exciting trading instrument. In fact, it is a combination of forwards by two counter-parties. It is arranged to reap the benefits arising from the fluctuation in the market — either currency market or interest rate market or any other market for that matter. Features of Swap The following are the important features of swap: Basically a forward: A swap is nothing but a combination of forwards. So, it has all the properties of a forward contract discussed above. Double coincidence of wants: Swap requires that two parties with equal and opposite needs must come into contact with each other. As stated earlier, it is a combination of forwards by two counterparties with opposite but matching needs. For instance, the rate of interest differs from market to market and within the market itself. It varies from borrowers to borrowers due to the relative credit worthiness of borrowers. Continue reading
Credit Policy in Receivable Management
Concept of Credit Policy The discharge of the credit function in a company embraces a number of activities for which the policies have to be clearly laid down. Such a step will ensure consistency in credit decisions and actions. A credit policy thus, establishes guidelines that govern grant or reject credit to a customer, what should be the level of credit granted to a customer etc. A credit policy can be said to have a direct effect on the volume of investment a company desires to make in receivables. A company falls prey of many factors pertaining to its credit policy. In addition to specific industrial attributes like the trend of industry, pattern of demand, pace of technology changes, factors like financial strength of a company, marketing organization, growth of its product etc. also influence the credit policy of an enterprise. Certain considerations demand greater attention while formulating the credit Continue reading
Liquidity Risk in E-Banking
Liquidity risk is the uncertainty arising from a bank’s inability to meet its obligations when they are due, without incurring unacceptable losses. Liquidity risk includes the inability to manage unplanned changes in market conditions affecting the ability of the bank to liquidate assets quickly and with minimal loss in value. Internet banking increases deposit volatility from customers who maintain accounts solely on the basis of rates or terms. Increased monitoring of liquidity and changes in deposits and loans maybe warranted depending on the volume and nature of Internet account activities. In a nutshell, the Internet allows all transactions to occur in real time. The management must therefore be prepared for immediate changes and consequently immediate solutions. An institution can control this potential volatility and expanded geographic reach through its deposit contract and account opening practices, which might involve face-to-face meetings or the exchange of paper correspondence. The institution should modify Continue reading