Difference between Central Bank and Commercial Bank (2024)

Banks are an important part of the economy of a nation. They are the most critical institutions that help regulate the overall economic development of a nation.

Banks help mobilise the money in an economy and act as a connecting link between the government and the general population. Banks act as facilitators of credit in the economy, which is an important component that drives the growth of an economy.

There are two types of banks based on the authority, these are central banks and commercial banks. Central bank can be called the apex bank, which is responsible for formulating the monetary policy of an economy.

Commercial banks, on the other hand, are those banks that help in the flow of money in an economy by providing deposit and credit facilities. Commercial banks provide financial services to the individuals and businesses.

Let us look at some of the points of difference between the central bank and commercial banks.

Central Bank

Commercial Bank

Definition

Central bank is the apex financial institution of the country that is concerned with formation of monetary policies and the way money should be regulated in the economy

It is a type of financial institution that is concerned with providing banking services to the general public and businesses by facilitating deposit, offering loan facilities

Ownership

Central bank is always having public ownership

Commercial banks can be either public or private in their ownership

Number of Banks

There is only one central bank in a country

There can be many commercial banks in a country

Profit Motive

Central bank does not operate for making profit

Commercial banks operate with the motive of earning profit

Clients

Commercial banks and the government

Individuals and businesses

Policy creator

Central banks create monetary policy to regulate interest rates in an economy

Commercial banks do not create any policies that are essential for the functioning of an economy

Source of Money Supply

Central banks are the source of money supply in an economy

Commercial banks run on the deposits obtained from the individuals and hence they perform no such function

This article was all about the topic of difference between Central Bank and Commercial Bank, which is an important topic for Commerce students. For more such interesting articles, stay tuned to BYJU’S.

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Difference between Central Bank and Commercial Bank (2024)

FAQs

Difference between Central Bank and Commercial Bank? ›

Central bank can be called the apex bank, which is responsible for formulating the monetary policy of an economy. Commercial banks, on the other hand, are those banks that help in the flow of money in an economy by providing deposit and credit facilities.

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

Central banks offer products and services to the country's government and other commercial banks. Commercial banks offer banking products and services to individuals and businesses. There is only one central bank that oversees the entire banking operation.

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 is one way in which a central bank differs from a commercial 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.

What is a commercial bank example? ›

For example, Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India (SBI), Dena Bank, Corporation Bank, and Punjab National Bank. Foreign bank –: These banks are established in foreign countries and have branches in other countries.

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