Banking features: Banks provide various financial services, such as loans, credit, debit, and other investment and insurance plans. They provide loans to the needy, and people can withdraw money anytime they want. When it comes to choosing your bank from a long list of options, there is a lot that needs to be considered.Â
Today’s banks provide various facilities to their customers and when choosing, we need to keep in mind certain important factors. Let us learn more about some important banking features.
Why are Banks Important?
Banks are a crucial part of managing our hard-earned money. It provides a range of services, such as loans, insurance, credit, debits, products and services. Banks help to maintain savings and encourage well-planned investments for the economic growth and development of individuals and businesses.Â
They act as a bridge between depositors and borrowers. With the advancement of technologies, the banking sector saw a rapid rise and improved its customer services significantly. Now, we can access all the major services at home through our smartphones anytime, anywhere. Let us learn about some of the banking features to be kept in mind while choosing banks.
Also Read: What Is a Deposit? Definition, Meaning, Types, and Example
Top 6 Banking Features Your Bank Should Have In 2024
Some of the basic features of banking are bill payments, making transfers, saving money, taking loans, etc. This article brings you some of the most important banking features your banks must have to provide an easy and user-friendly banking experience.
1. Debit CardÂ
A bank must provide their customer with a debit card to make purchases easily without carrying cash everywhere. Most customers choose debit cards as their preferred method of marketing as they are easy to handle and transfers are quick. Also, paying with debit cards provides many cashback and gift card options too. However, this may differ from bank to bank.
2. Online Banking Options
Most banks nowadays have their own mobile applications consisting of all the major services that can be accessed remotely. You can easily check your bank balance anytime and make payments with inbuilt QR options. This makes banks available to us at any time we need them. Also, it helps us avoid the overdraft fee charged on various transactions, such as a failed check (bounced cheque).
3. Notification UpdatesÂ
Regular updates about activities going on with banks via mail or text can be a good alert mode. These alerts help us to stay updated with the latest transactions, updated balances, or any upcoming automatic bill payments. The alerts are very important during transactions to validate whether the amount got deducted or not.Â
Apart from this, many reminders, such as loan reimbursement, monthly payments, etc, can be alerted via notifications to provide good customer service.
3. Good Branch and ATM Network
It is important to have accessible ATMs and bank branches throughout the country. Before choosing your bank, you must make sure the bank branches are within a reachable range to help solve your queries as soon as possible. Although most of the services and doubts can be resolved with on-call customer care support, sometimes branches and ATMs are required for quick cash or to solve some issues that require physical presence.
4. Good Customer ServiceÂ
Having good customer service is one of the basic requirements of any business. However, in banking, quick customer service is important when you get stuck somewhere in the middle of your transaction, can’t access the services, your account is not working, or something different and rare. Quick and easily accessible customer service is very important to providing a good experience during this time.Â
The customer service support team must make sure to address their issue as a priority and solve it as soon as possible. Customer service must be accessible through chat, mail, or phone whenever required.Â
5. Account Options
Banks must provide various banking account options such as savings, current, salary, demat, etc. Candidates must also get important features based on the account type they choose. Also, competitive interest rates on savings accounts are a must. Also, there must be minimal charges for maintaining accounts and transactions.Â
6. SecurityÂ
With emerging technologies, it is important to provide a reliable and secure environment for customers. Two-factor authentications, Validation, and regular updates must be provided to stay safe from fraud and unauthorized access.
Also Read: Checking vs. Savings Accounts
Banking Features: List of functions of Banks
The list below provides some of the major functions of banks that must be provided to the customers.Â
1. Primary Functions
The primary functions of a bank are the major basic functions of banks. It is also known as the main function of a bank. Check the list of primary functions of banks.
| Banking Features: Primary Functions of Banks |
| Saving deposits |
| Fixed deposits |
| Recurring deposits |
| Current deposits |
| Overdraft |
| Loans |
| Cash Credits |
| Discounts and offers on bill exchange |
2. Secondary Functions of Banks
These are also known as non-banking functions provided to their customers for increased growth and easy access, such as check collections, periodic online payments, portfolio management, etc. Check below.
| Banking Features: Secondary Functions of Banks |
| Transfer of Funds |
| Periodic Payments |
| Collection of Cheques |
| Periodic Collections |
| Portfolio Management |
| Draft issue |
| Letter of Credits |
| Foreign Exchange |
| Social Welfare Programs |
Banking Features: Top 5 Popular Private Banks in India
There are many private banks in India. However, it is important to select the best one according to the needs and requirements. Check the list of the top 10 major private banks on the basis of revenue in 2023.
| Top 10 Private Banks in India 2024 List | ||
| Bank Name | Established On | Revenue (2023) |
| J&K Bank | 1938 | ₹ 8,830.08 cr. |
| ICICI Bank | 1994 | ₹ 186,178.80 cr. |
| IndusInd Bank | 1994 | ₹ 44,540 cr. |
| RBL Bank | 1943 | ₹ 10,516 cr. |
| South Indian Bank | 1929 | ₹ 7,620.64 cr. (FY2021-22) |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | 2003 | ₹ 67,981.02 cr. |
| Yes Bank | 2004 | ₹ 26,826.76 cr. |
| Federal Bank | 1931 | ₹ 15,142.16 cr. |
| Axis Bank | 1993 | ₹ 106,155 cr. |
| HDFC Bank | 1994 | ₹ 2.05 lakh cr. |
List of Best Private Banks based on Market Popularity
The list below consists of some best private banks based on their popularity and accessibility in India.
| Top Private banks in India | ||
| Company Name | Year of Establishment | Headquarters |
| HDFCÂ | 1994 | Mumbai |
| ICICIÂ | 1994 | Mumbai |
| Kotak Mahindra | 2003 | Mumbai |
| Axis | 1993 | Mumbai |
| IndusInd Bank | 1994 | Pune |
| IDBIÂ | 1964 | Mumbai |
| IDFC First Bank | 2015 | Mumbai |
| Yes Bank | 2004 | Mumbai |
| AU Small Finance | 2017 | Jaipur |
| Bandhan Bank | 2015 | Kolkata |
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Banking Features FAQs
What are some major primary banking features?
Some major primary banking features are saving deposits, current deposits, fixed deposits, recurring deposits, loans, cash credits, overdrafts, etc.
What is the main feature of banking?
The main functions of every banking service are taking deposits and lending money. Apart from this, banking services provide various other functions, which we can read about in this article.
What are the five most important banking services?
Some major banking services are current and savings accounts, loans, wealth management, credit and debit cards, etc.
