Project Report on Core Banking

Description
Core banking is services provided by a group of networked bank branches. Bank customers may access their funds and other simple transactions from any of the member branch offices.

Project Report on Core Banking
Banking?An Overview A Bank is as organization, which is usually a corporation that accepts deposits, makes loans, pays checks and performs related services for the public and it can be justly stated as the crux of a business. It can also be described as a financial institution that accepts deposits and channels the money into lending activities. Role of a bank ? Banks provide funds for business as well as personal needs of individuals. They play a significant role in the economy of a nation. Apart from functioning as credit intermediaries they are also involved in a number of Noncredit Services where banks act as agents for customers in a number of bank-related functions: initiating payment orders to third parties, either by check or electronic funds transfer; purchasing or selling securities, as for a trust account customer; and operating cash management for corporate customers. These Noncredit Services are an important, and growing, source of fee income. Further banks are also involved in the following,

• • • • •

It encourages savings habit amongst people and thereby makes funds available for productive use. It acts as an intermediary between people having surplus money and those requiring money for various business activities. It facilitates business transactions through receipts and payments by cheques instead of currency. It provides loans and advances to businessmen for short term and long-term purposes. It helps in national development by providing credit to farmers, small-scale industries and



Self-employed people as well as to large business houses which lead to balanced economic development in the country.

Types of Banks?

1. Central Bank 2. Development Banks 3. Specialised Banks 4. Commercial Banks (Public Sector, Private sector , Foreign Banks) 5. Co-operative Banks (Primary Credit Societies, Central Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks)

Traditionally a bank offered the following services to a customer

• • • • • •

Safe deposit boxes facilities Manage trust accounts for individuals and endowment funds; Clear checks and drafts for other financial institutions; Provide Loans and Overdraft facilities for consumers Underwrite securities Perform other bank related services as permitted by federal and state banking regulations.

Core Banking?The Meaning

The services provided by a group of networked bank branches is known as Core Banking to ensure that customers can access their funds and conduct other such transactions from any of the member branch offices.

"The business conducted by a banking institution with its retail and small business customers", is known Core Banking

Traditionally, the core banking activities were done manually, but not the scenario has changed completely. The platform where communication technology and information technology are merged to suit core needs of banking is known as Core Banking Solutions. Computer software is developed to perform core operations of banking like,

• • • • •

Recording of transactions Passbook maintenance Interest calculations on loans and deposits Customer records Balance of payments and withdrawal

This software is installed at different branches of bank and then interconnected by means of communication lines like telephones, satellite, internet etc. It allows the user (customers) to operate accounts from any branch if it has installed core banking solutions. This new platform has changed the way banks are working. Now many advanced features like regulatory requirements and other specialised services like share (stock) trading are being provided. Internet Banking and ATMs are the rulers of today's Core Banking. The Revolution?

Banks and financial services organizations have recognized the advantages of deploying technology to improve the value, speed and flexibility of their product offering to customers.

This has lead to a revolution in banking. Particularly in today's highly competitive banking industry, core banking technology is a vital element that helps a bank to differentiate itself from the other players. This is especially true on the retail front, and allows banks to offer many new technology driven channels to customers such as ATMs and Internet banking, thus pioneering the concept of Anywhere Banking.

With features like real-time transaction processing coming into effect, customers can experience the benefits of "real time banking" and no longer need to wait days or weeks

for their transactions to be completed. Another key advantage of technology is the significant decrease of product development and testing lead time, leading to faster launch of new products for the bank - enhancing the organization's innovativeness and agility.

Internet Banking Online banking (or Internet banking) is a term used for performing transactions, payments etc. over the Internet through a bank, credit union or building society's secure website. Objectives? "?Any time, Anywhere Banking?"

This allows customers to do their banking outside of bank hours and from any place that has Internet access and give due importance to personal banking. Requirements?

In most cases a web browser is utilized and any normal Internet connection is suitable. No special software or hardware is usually needed. Features Online banking generally offers most of the core banking functions such as:

• • •

Bank statements, with the possibility to import data in a personal finance program such as Quicken or Microsoft Money Electronic bill payment Funds transfer between a customer's own checking and savings accounts, or to another customer's account

• • •

Investment purchase or sale Loan applications and transactions, such as repayments Account aggregation to allow the customers to monitor all of their accounts in one place whether they are with their main bank or with other institutions.

There are a growing number of so-called virtual banks that operate exclusively online. These online banks have low costs compared to traditional banks and so they often offer higher interest rates. Internet Banking?An Insight Internet banking works much like traditional banking. The primary difference is that accessing account and information, making payments and reconciling statements and other such activities are done using a computer rather than paper or the phone to complete transactions. Just like traditional banks, internet banks too hold the customer's money and lend it to other respectively. They manage loans and keep track of customers' finance. Online banking is rapidly becoming more and more popular as consumers recognize its advantages, some of them are,

• • • • • •

Economical- Most banks charge lesser for online banking services Saves time- As banking can be done with just a PC, traveling time is reduced greatly. Elimination of paper statements- For those that have a hard time maintaining paper statements, Internet banking is a life saver. For frequent travelers- It is a boon for them as it enables them to keep a close eye on their finances from abroad Ease of access- Internet banking is normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you can view your details from any computer around the world (there are safety aspects to consider when using 3rd party machines). No appointments required- Using the many internet banking facilities available, you have a large degree of flexibility in how you view, and analyse your finances.

There are also many options to apply for loans, overdrafts and the like on line, with some services offering an immediate answer.



Telephone support- While it is cheaper for customers to access their information via the internet, many financial institutions also have a telephone back up service for further questions / queries. Normally available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they can be priceless in some situations.



Cross Border Banking- This is an obvious outcome of anytime, anywhere Internet Banking, that permits customers to transact irrespective of the geographical boundaries

Though Internet Banking has gained popularity rapidly, some issues with regard remain to be sorted. These issues include,



Fully automated services- For those of the population who are not yet comfortable with the internet revolution or maybe not fluent in computers there are large hurdles to over come. Simple errors when accessing via a PC may well put your personal data or accounts at risk.

• •

No personal contact- Many people (especially from the older generation) still prefer the personal contact which is available with traditional banking, even though it has become a little more impersonal over the last few years. Security issues- There are without doubt some security issues with internet banking, protection through single password authentication, as is the case in most secure Internet shopping sites, is not considered secure enough for personal online banking applications in some countries. Online banking user interfaces are secure sites and traffic of all information - including the password - is encrypted, making it next to impossible for a third party to obtain or modify information after it is sent. However, encryption alone does not rule out the possibility of hackers gaining access to vulnerable home PCs and intercepting the password as it is typed in (keystroke logging). There is also the danger of password cracking and physical theft of passwords written down by careless users.

In India? In India, the Internet banking portal of the bank, enables its retail banking customers to operate their accounts all across India, removing the restrictions imposed by geography and time. It's a platform that enables the customers to carry out their banking activities from their desktop, aided by the power and convenience of the Internet.

Availing the Internet banking services, they can do the following normal banking transactions online:

• • • • • •

Self-account funds transfer across India. Third party transfers in the same branch New account opening Demand Draft requests Standing instructions New Cheque-book request and much more

Apart from these, the other salient value-added features that many banks provide are:

• • • • • • • • •

Railway tickets booking, Utility bill payments LIC and other insurance premium payments, • Mutual funds Investments Remit Subscription to PPF account, Credit card dues payments, Deposit your taxes, Donations to your religious inspirations Donations to Red Cross and such other organizations Setting up SMS alerts for transaction information.

Above all, customers can transfer funds between their accounts held at several locations and all this can be done from their desktop.

Multi Branch Banking (Anywhere Banking) service is available to customers of networked branches of the Bank, which is a success story today due to the advent of Internet Banking. Under this service, the customer of one branch will be able to transact on his/her account, from any other networked branch of the Bank.

Services available in MBB, 1. Cash Deposits 2. Cash Payments 3. Transfer of funds 4. Statement of A./c for a given period. 5. Balance Inquiry 6. Marking Stop Payment of a Cheque. 7. Fate of a Cheque. Personal Banking Personal banking is similar to retail banking. The essence is that the products and services of the bank are tailored to meet individual banking and ancillary needs, including everything from a checking account to investment advice. The different products available through personal banking include checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, check cards with rewards, different types of loans, and personal lines of credit, credit cards, personal trust and private banking services, mortgage programs, investment management, discount brokerage, insurance services and advisory services. Insurance, investment advice, and wealth management are high end products offered in personal banking. The most prominent feature in personal banking today is technology- enabled, customized products and services like anywhere banking, ATMs, and the delivery of services through channels like a telephone and the Internet. The idea is that the customer need not come to the branch for their services and that everything should be delivered to the customer at his convenience. The bank will provide single window service, meaning that customers can visit one counter for any banking need.

Personal banking is quickly catching up in almost all the countries in the world and is expected to contribute significantly to the bank's total revenue. Almost 15-20% of the customers contribute up to 90% of the banks business, so proper service to these customers will deepen the financial relationships. Everyone with a personal bank account needs to be very cautious and pay close attention to all aspects of their account. People should promptly review their bank statement, avoid having to pay unnecessary fees and bank charges, avoid leaving discarded bank documents behind, avoid banking online in public places, and periodically change their password. ATMs An automated teller machine (ATM) is a computerized telecommunications device that provides the customers of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public space without the need for a human clerk or bank teller. On most modern ATMs, the customer is identified by inserting a plastic ATM card with a magnetic stripe or a plastic smartcard with a chip, that contains a unique card number and some security information, such as an expiration date or CVC (CVV). Security is provided by the customer entering a personal identification number (PIN). Using an ATM, customers can access their bank accounts in order to make cash withdrawals (or credit card cash advances) and check their account balances. Many ATMs also allow people to deposit cash or cheques, transfer money between their bank accounts, pay bills, or purchase goods and services. ATMs have become extremely popular due to the flexibility they provide with respect to Banking transactions.

Transition in Core Banking?The Reasons A bank thus, was an institution that performed apart from its core banking functions other related activities as mentioned, but over the years, the drastic changes that embraced a wide variety of industries did not make an exception to banking. The major changes that has revolutionized banking could be attributed to 3 main inter related factors as follows,

• • • •

Communication and technological developments Intense competition Liberalization Meeting new market demands

Communication and technological developments With businesses around the world working closely together, technology comes to the forefront. The last few decades brought about a radical development in communications and information technology which has propelled the Banking sector to new heights It is now used as a key tool that enables banking organizations to establish a robust competitive edge. Banks prefer to use greater and cutting edge knowledge and technology order to ensure their success. Intense competition Competition is one of the principle promoters of growth and development, for it kindles in man the need to strive and reach greater heights than the rival. In the Banking sector too, competition and the need to be efficient has prompted the integration of developments in IT and communication. Liberalization In India, liberalization has paved way for the entry of foreign banks which have already incorporated technology for a variety of reasons. The Indian Banks thus, had to embrace technology and change its working mechanisms in order to face the stiff competition posed by the foreign banks.

Meeting ew Market Demands

In order to survive and succeed, an organization has to recognize and forecast the needs and demands of the customers, then strive to fulfill them. This criterion is also applicable to banks. To meet new market demands and cater to them successfully, an organization has to continuously update and innovate itself, which has been done rightly by very many banks.

These inter-related factors are the key instruments that have restructured Banking to what it is today.

The Indian Scenario? After liberalization and globalization, Asset-Liability management and Risk management have gained importance. Further, getting the data updated on real time basis for the organization and connectivity is of prime importance. Establishing a WAN for connecting all the branches and moving towards Core Banking Solution is the prime business need. Further, in view of RBI's initiative for implementing various payment and settlement systems such as- NDS-PDO, CFMS, SMFS and RTGS, connectivity intrabank as well as interbank has also become the basic necessity for every bank. With RTGS being implemented by Jan.2004, every bank faces the necessity to not only computerize the entire functioning of the Treasury department but also the need to consolidate the treasury function and move towards integrated treasury for better funds management. In order to achieve this, IT is the key instrument.

To conclude? All banks now focus on implementing, maintaining and updating themselves on,

• • • • •

Core Banking Solutions Networking of branches Secure Messaging for launching funds transfer products Integrated Treasury Management System Focus on technology based initiatives for Intra-day liquidity Management

Of these, Core banking Solution occupies prime importance to stay ahead in competition, as it not only concentrates on efficient banking, but also on achieving success through customization and customer satisfaction. Core Banking restructured with IT aid, and which in turn ensures that the Banking Sector is in pace with its varied counterparts.



doc_371434749.docx
 

Attachments

Back
Top