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Advantages and Disadvantages of Retail Banking

 

Retail banking is a significant branch of the banking sector that focuses more on serving individual customers rather than business clients. In this division of banking, the banks approach customers in order to sell them their products which are consumer-focused, including car loans, home loans, financial aid for buying consumer durables, etc. This post details the numerous advantages of retail banking, its benefits, and the few disadvantages of retail banking.

 

Defining Retail Banking and the benefits of Retail banking through its operations

Retail banking, in a nutshell, is when commercial banks work with specific clients, regardless of which side of the balance sheet they are on. In terms of obligations, this entails fixed, current, and savings accounts as well as mortgages and loans as assets. A bank has several rural, semi-urban, and metropolitan branches that offer retail banking services.

 

The facility is specifically made to meet the needs of retail clients, who are simply members of the general public for everyday purchases. Therefore, we may argue that the main face of banking that the general public interacts with is retail banking. It is a method of handling money that allows users to both deposit money securely and access credit. This is one of the major benefits of retail banking. 

It is the area of the bank that is open to the public. Physical brick-and-mortar branches and widely dispersed ATMs are used to deliver goods and services. Another significant benefit of retail banking is its presence across locations. The retail banking distribution strategy is not limited to conventional branches and ATMs but also includes the internet and mobiles as well. 

Retail banking has a sizable customer base and a sizable volume of transactions with little value. Therefore, in a setting of intense competition, it might not be cost-effective. In reality, the majority of bank branches in rural and semi-urban areas offer retail banking. Retail banking may minimize market risk in the current environment when lending to corporate clients results in credit risk and market risk.

Advantages of Retail Banking

Let us identify the numerous advantages of retail banking below:

The following are the numerous advantages of retail banking:

  • Deposits with a retail bank are secure and stable and the deposits constitute core deposits. 
  •  They are less willing to compromise for higher interest rates and are interest insensitive.
  • They provide the banks with low-cost funding.
  • Retail banking facilitates strong foundations for consumers through efficient customer relationship management.
  • Retail banking expands the banks' subsidiary business.
  • A bank's bottom line and yield are both boosted by retail banking.
  • The retail banking division is a good avenue for funds development.
  • It is presumed that consumer loans have lower risk and NPA conception. 
  • Retail banking aids in the revival and restoration of the nation's economy through amplified production activity.
  • Retail banking enhanced the quality of living and helps people accomplish aspirations by offering affordable credit services.  
  • Innovative product development credit.
  • Retail banking only requires minimum efforts in an economy driven by demand. 

Disadvantages of Retail Banking

The following are a few of the disadvantages of retail banking: 

  • It is quite expensive and time-consuming for the bank to design its own innovative financial solutions.
  • Nowadays, customers favor online banking over branch banking. The retention of clients who want to use net banking is tough for banks that take their time delivering technology-based products.
  • Customers are drawn to other financial products like mutual funds and other similar ones.
  • Banks are making significant investments in technology, yet they are unable to fully utilize it.
  • Monitoring and following up on a large volume of loan accounts is a significant drawback that forces banks to spend a lot on their human resources division.
  • Due to their lengthy payback terms, long-term loans like house loans, if not properly followed up, can possibly turn into NPAs. 
  • Another critical disadvantage of retail banking is the occurrence of cybercrime. Card skimming and other fraudulent account activity are on the rise, costing customers money as banks make every effort to make up for it.
  • Retail banking walks the line with a high chance of the banking system failing when banks have very high NPAs. 

Since ordinary consumers have smaller value transactions and different financial demands than corporations or institutions, retail banking is said to be the type of banking for them. One of the most popular banking services is retail banking because there are so many more customers in this market.