银行有什么优势英语短文

Origin of the word

The name bank derives from the Italian word banco "desk/bench", used during the Renaissance era by Florentine bankers, who used to make their transactions above a desk covered by a green tablecloth. [ 2 ] However, traces of banking activity can be found even in ancient times.

In fact, the word traces its origins back to the Ancient Roman Empire, where moneylenders would set up their stalls in the middle of enclosed courtyards called macella on a long bench called a bancu , from which the words banco and bank are derived. As a moneychanger, the merchant at the bancu did not so much invest money as merely convert the foreign currency into the only legal tender in Rome – that of the Imperial Mint. [ 3 ]

The role of commercial banks

Commercial banks engage in the following activities:

processing of payments by way of telegraphic transfer, EFTPOS, internet banking, or other means

issuing bank drafts and bank cheques

accepting money on term deposit

lending money by overdraft, installment loan, or other means

providing documentary and standby letter of credit , guarantees, performance bonds, securities underwriting commitments and other forms of off balance sheet exposures

safekeeping of documents and other items in safe deposit boxes

sales, distribution or brokerage, with or without advice, of: insurance, unit trusts and similar financial products as a “financial supermarket”

cash management and treasury

merchant banking and private equity financing

traditionally, large commercial banks also underwrite bonds, and make markets in currency, interest rates, and credit-related securities, but today large commercial banks usually have an investment bank arm that is involved in the mentioned activities [ clarify ] .

Types of loans granted by commercial banks

Secured loan