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Question 13 Marks
Explain the 'Standard of deferred payment' function of money. How has it solved the related problem created by barter?
Answer
Deferred payments are postponed payments to be made in future. Such payments arise on account of borrowing and lending activities. It has removed the problem of absence of financial institutions in the barter system. It has also removed the problem of trading in wider areas.
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Question 23 Marks
Explain the role of Reverse Repo Rate in controlling credit creation.
Answer
Reverse Repo Rate refers to the rate of interest paid by the central bank on deposits made by the commercial banks. When it is raised, commercial banks are encouraged to make more deposits with central bank. As a resultfunds available for lending with the commercial banks decrease. Their capacity of lending declines and credit creation is less.
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Question 33 Marks
Explain the role of Cash Reserve Ratio in controlling credit creation
Answer
CRR refers to the percentage of deposits which commercial banks are legally required to keep with the central bank. Raising CRR reduces funds with the commercial banks for lending. Credit creation is thus decreased.
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Question 43 Marks
Currency is issued by the central bank, yet we say that commercial banks create money. Explain. How is this money creation by commercial banks likely to affect the national income? Explain.
Answer
Money supply has two components: Currency and demand deposits with commercial banks. Currency is issued by the central bank while deposits are created by commercial banks by lending money to the people. In this way commercial banks also create money.
Commercial banks lend money mainly to investors. The rise in investment in the economy leads to rise in national income through the multiplier effect.
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Question 53 Marks
Explain the process of credit creation by commercial banks.
Answer
When a commercial bank receives deposits it keeps a part of it with the Central bank and a part with itself. These are called legal reserves. The money lent comes back to it as deposits. Again it keeps a part of it with the central bank and a part with itself and lends the rest.
This process continues. In this way bank gives loans which is many a times the original deposit. The total credit creation will be $\frac{1}{{{Legal\text{ } Reserve\text{ } Ratio\text{ }}}}$
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Question 63 Marks
Explain the 'Medium of exchange' function of money. How has it solved the related problem created by barter?
Answer
Money serves as a medium of exchanging of goods and services. People sell goods for money and use the money for buying goods they want. It has removed the problem of double coincidence of wants faced in the barter system.
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Question 73 Marks
Explain how 'Repo Rate' can be helpful in controlling credit creation.
Answer
Repo Rate: Is the rate of interest at which central bank lends money to commercial bank for short period.
Raising Repo Rate makes borrowing by commercial banks costlier. So these banks are forced to raise their lending rates. Since borrowing becomes costly for people, they borrow less. Banks, therefore, create less credit.
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Question 83 Marks
Explain the credit creation role of commercial banks with the help of a numerical example. Explain the credit creation role of commercial banks with the help of a numerical example.
Answer
Deposit creation by banks is determined by (1) Initial deposits and (2) Legal Reserve Ratio.

Suppose fresh deposit is Rs. 10000 and LRR is 20%. Initially, banks keep Rs. 2000 as cash and lend Rs. 8000. Those who borrow spend this Rs. 8000. It is assumed that this Rs. 8000 comes into banks as an initial deposit. Banks again keep 20% of it as cash reserve and lend the rest. In this way, deposit creation goes on. Total money creation is Rs. 50000.

$\text{Deposit creation} = \text{initial deposit}\times\frac{1}{\text{LRR}}.$ 

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Question 93 Marks
Explain 'government's banker' function of the central bank.
Answer
Central bank is banker to the government like commercial banks are to be public. It accepts deposits from government and gives loans to the government.
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Question 103 Marks
How does a commercial bank create money?
Answer
Money creation by banks is determined by (1) Fresh deposits and (2) Legal Reserve Ratio. Suppose fresh deposit is Rs. 10000 and LRR is 20%. Initially banks keep Rs. 2000 as cash and lend Rs. 8000. Those who borrow spend this Rs. 8000. It is assumed that this Rs. 8000 comes into banks as a fresh deposit. Banks again keep 20% of it as cash reserve and lend the rest. In this way money creation goes on. Total money creation is Rs. 50000.
$\text{Money creation} = \text{initial deposit}\times\frac{1}{\text{LRR}}.$
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Question 113 Marks
Explain how do ‘open market operations’ by the central bank affect money creation by commercial banks.
Answer
Open market operations refers to the buying and selling of securities by the Central Bank from and to the general public. Sale of securities by the Central Bank leads to flow of money out of commercial banks and into the Central bank. This reduces effective deposits with commercial banks and checks money creation reducing aggregate demand and investment.
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Question 123 Marks
Explain any two functions of money.
Answer
Functions of money are:
  1. Medium of exchange : Buying and selling is done in exchange for money. It has facilitated trade.
  2. Store of value: Money acts as a store of value. It is acceptable at any point of time. It is not perishable so it can be stored for future use.
  3. Unit of account: The value of all goods and services can be expressed in monetary units. This facilitates exchange.
  4. Standard of deferred payment: It also serves as a standard of payment contracted to be made at some future date.
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Question 133 Marks
Describe the evolution of money.
Answer
Evolution of money:

Money is anything that can serve as a medium of exchange. All types of things like animals, agricultural produce, metals had been used as a medium for exchange. The commodities served well as long as the volume of trade was small. Later on metals like gold and silver were used as money. They were durable, they could be divided into monetary units and they were limited in supply. The inconvenience of metals in handling large transactions, lack of safety during transportation, etc. Were the main problems faced. This lead to use of paper currency as a medium of exchange. With further increase in volume of transactions bank money in the form of Cheques, Credit Cards, etc. is now also used as money.

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Question 143 Marks
Explain the lending function of commercial banks.
Answer
Explanation in terms of direct loans, cash credit, overdrafts, discounting bills of exchange.
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Question 153 Marks
Give meaning of money supply. State its components.
Answer
Meaning: Total stock of money in an economy at a particular point of time.

Components:

  1. Currency held by public.
  2. Demand deposits with banks.
  3. Other deposits with central bank.
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Question 163 Marks
Give meaning of money. Explain its ‘medium of exchange’ function.
Answer
Meaning of money:

Money is define as something that serves as a medium of exchange, a unit of accounting, and a store of value.

Medium of exchange function:

  1. Money as the Medium of Exchange:

Money came into use to remove the inconveniences of barter as money has separated the act of purchase from sale. Medium of exchange is the basic or primary function of money.

  1. Money as the Standard of Deferred Payments:

Deferred payments are payments which are made some time in the future. Debts are usually expressed in terms of the money of account. Loans are taken and repaid in terms of money.The use of money as the standard of deterred or delayed payments immensely simplifies borrowing and lending operations because money generally maintains a constant value through time.

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Question 173 Marks
Explain briefly the ‘banker to the government’ function of the central bank.
Answer
Undertakes banking business of government:
  1. Receipts.
  2. Payments.
  3. Foreign exchange transactions.
  4. Credit to the govt.
  5. Borrowing money on behalf of govt.
  6. Managing public debt, etc.
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Question 183 Marks
How does a central bank perform the function of controller of credit?
Answer
The central bank controls credit through the various methods categorised as the quantitative and the qualitative methods. Quantitative methods include bank rate policy, open market operations, varying reserve requirements. These methods affect total quantity of credit in the country. Qualitative methods include margin requirements, moral suasion, etc. These methods affect allocation of credit among the alternative uses.
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Question 193 Marks
Explain the meaning and any one function of a commercial bank.
Answer
Meaning of Commercial Banks:

A commercial bank is a financial institution which performs the functions of accepting deposits from the general public and giving loans for investment with the aim of earning profit.

Functions of commercial banks:

  •  It gives loans and advances:

The second major function of a commercial bank is to give loans and advances particularly to businessmen and entrepreneurs and thereby earn interest. This is, in fact, the main source of income of the bank. A bank keeps a certain portion of the deposits with itself as reserve and gives (lends) the balance to the borrowers as loans and advances in the form of cash credit, demand loans, short-run loans, overdraft as explained under.

  1. Cash Credit:

An eligible borrower is first sanctioned a credit limit and within that limit he is allowed to withdraw a certain amount on a given security. The withdrawing power depends upon the borrower’s current assets, the stock statement of which is submitted by him to the bank as the basis of security. Interest is charged by the bank on the drawn or utilised portion of credit (loan).

  1. Demand Loans:

A loan which can be recalled on demand is called demand loan. There is no stated maturity. The entire loan amount is paid in lump sum by crediting it to the loan account of the borrower. Those like security brokers whose credit needs fluctuate generally, take such loans on personal security and financial assets.

  1. Short-term Loans:

Short-term loans are given against some security as personal loans to finance working capital or as priority sector advances. The entire amount is repaid either in one instalment or in a number of instalments over the period of loan.

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Question 203 Marks
Explain any one problem faced in the barter system. How has money solved this problem?
Answer
Lack of double coincidence of wants:

Double coincidence of wants means what one person wants to sell and buy must coincide with what some other person wants to buy and sell. ‘Simultaneous fulfilment of mutual wants by buyers and sellers’ is known as double coincidence of wants.

There is lack of double coincidence in the wants of buyers and sellers in barter exchange. The producer of jute may want shoes in exchange for his jute. But he may find it difficult to get a shoe-maker who is also willing to exchange his shoes for Jute.

Thus, a seller has to find out a person who wants to buy seller’s good and at the same time who must have what the seller wants. This is called double coincidence of wants which is the main drawback of the barter exchange.

Money as medium of exchange solves the barter’s problem of lack of double coincidence of wants as money has separated the acts of sale and purchase. You can sell goods for money to whosoever wants it and with this money you can buy goods from whosoever wants to sell them.

Money is accepted as medium of exchange. People exchange goods and services through medium of money when they buy goods or sell goods. Thus, money becoming intermediary solves barter’s problem of double coincidence of wants.

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Question 213 Marks
Explain the 'bank of issue' function of the central bank.
Answer
The central bank of a country has the exclusive authority to issue the currency (notes + coins). The currency issued by the central bank is known as 'legal tender money' i.e. the value of such currency is backed by the central bank. However, the currency issued by the central bank is its monetary liability. In other words, the central bank is obliged to back the currency issued by it by assets of equal value such as gold coins and foreign exchange. In addition to issuing currency to the general public, the central bank also issues currency to the central government of the country. That is, the central government if required, can sell its securities to the central bank and in return gets the required cash currency.
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Question 223 Marks
Discuss the meaning of any two methods of controlling credit which may be adopted by the central bank.
Answer
The two methods of controlling credit which may be used by the central bank are:
  1. Bank rate: The rate at which commercial banks borrow credit from the RBI is called the bank rate. Bank rate is the rate at which the central bank provides credit to commercial banks. An increase or decrease in the bank rate leads to an increase or decrease in the market rate of interest. Thereby the cost of credit changes in the market.
  2. Open market operations: Open market operations refer to the sale and purchase of government securities and bonds by the Central Bank. For example, when Central Bank sells government securities to the public through the banks. This results in the transfer of a part of bank deposits to the Central Bank account and reduces credit creation capacity of commercial banks.
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Question 233 Marks
Explain 'Bankers Bank' function of central bank.
Answer
Commercial banks are required to keep a certain percentage of deposits with the central bank as reserves.
Besides central banks accepts deposits from commercial banks and give them loan in times of need. In this way central bank is bankers’ bank.
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Question 243 Marks
Explain money creation function of commercial banks.
Answer
Money creation refers to the deposit or credit creation by commercial banks as some multiple of initial deposit, depending upon the reserve requirements. Suppose initial deposit is Rs 1000 crore and legal reserve ratio(LRR) is 0.2 Banks keep Rs 200 crore as reserve and lend the remaining Rs 800 crore. Borrowers spend this money. Those who receive the money from borrowers redeposit into banks.This leads to a fresh deposit of Rs 800 crore.Banks again keep 20 percent as reserves and lend the rest Rs 640 crore which ultimately leads to a fresh deposit of Rs 640 crore. In this way new deposit go on being created round by round leading to total deposit creation of Rs 5000 crore which 1/LRR times i.e. 1/0.2 or 5 times.
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Question 253 Marks
Explain the ‘Standard of deffered payment’ function of money. How has it solved the related problem created by barter?
Answer
Deferred payments are postponed payments to be made in future. Such payments arise on account of borrowing and lending activities. It has removed the problem of absence of financial institutions in the barter system. It has also removed the problem of trading in wider areas.
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Question 263 Marks
Explain 'government’s bank' function of central bank.
Answer
Although central bank does not deal with public it deals with government. It conducts the same banking operations for government as commercial banks do for public it gives them loans, does interbank transfers etc. for government.
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Question 273 Marks
Explain the "varying reserve requirements" method of credit control by the central bank.
Answer
Commercial banks have the power to create credit on the basis of deposits they receive. The central bank exercises control over this power through changing legal reserve requirement from time to time. There are two components of such reserves: cash reserve ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio(SLR). When the central bank raises CRR or SLR or both less money is left with commercial banks for lending. Opposite happens when CRR or SLR or both are reduced.
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Question 283 Marks
Explain the ‘bank of issue’ function of central bank.
Answer
Central bank is the sole authority to issue currency in the country. Since no other authority is allowed, this ensures uniformity in issue of currency. Since currency with public is a part of money supply, it gives the central bank some control over money supply in the economy.
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Question 293 Marks
Explain the 'Unit of account' function of money. How has it solved the related problem created by barter?
Answer
Unit of account function of money means that money can be used for quoting prices or recording transactions. This removes the difficulty of keeping accounts and makes possible the existence of financial institutions.
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Question 303 Marks
Explain how ‘margin requirements’ are helpful in controlling credit creation?
Answer
Margin requirements refer to discount fixed by the central bank on the security mortgages by the borrower. Raising marginal requirement reduces the maximum amount a borrower can borrow from commercial banks. In this way it helps in controlling credit creation.
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Question 313 Marks
Define money supply and explain its components.
Answer
Money supply refers to the stock of money in the country on a particular day. It has two components: Currency with public outside the banks and demand deposits with banks. Demand deposits are deposits which can be withdrawn by writing cheque. Both these are directly usable for carrying out transactions at will.
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Question 323 Marks
Explain the role of reverse repo rate in controlling money supply.
Answer
Reverse repo rate' is the rate of interest at which the commercial banks park their surplus funds with the central bank. The central bank can control money supply by changing the reverse repo rate (RRR). Rise in RRR encourages commercial banks to park more funds with the central bank. This reduces funds available for lending to general public by the commercial banks.
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Question 333 Marks
Explain the 'Store of value' function of money. How has it solved the related problem created by barter?
Answer
Store of value: Function of money means that money can be used as an asset for storing value. It further means that the stored money can be used for transactions in future. This is because money comes in convenient denominations, easily mobile and can easily be used for transactions.
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Question 343 Marks
Explain how ‘bank rate’ is helpful in controlling credit creation?
Answer
Bank Rate is the rate of interest which central bank charges from commercial banks on long term loans. When bank rate is raised, borrowings by commercial banks becomecostly, as a result they are forced to raise their lending rate. At higher lending rate, people borrow less. Thus credit creation by commercial banks decline.
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Question 353 Marks
Explain 'Government's Bank' function of central bank.
Answer
The Central Bank acts as a banker to the government. The central bank accepts receipts and makes payments for the government and carries out exchange, remittance and other normal banking operations for the government. The central bank manages public debt and also lends to government.
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Question 363 Marks
Explain how open market operations are helpful in controlling credit creation.
Answer
Open market operations: Refers to selling and buying of government securities by the central bank By selling securities in the open market money flow out of commercial banks and into central bank. This reduces demand deposits with the commercial banks and lowers their capacity to create credit Borrowing from banks becomes less, and money supply is reduced.
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Question 373 Marks
Explain the components of Legal Reserve Ratio.
Answer
It has two components: Statutory Liquidity Ratio and Cash Reserve Ratio.
SLR is the ratio of deposits which banks keep with themselves.
CRR is the ratio of deposits which banks keep with the central bank.
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Question 383 Marks
How do changes in bank rate affect money creation by Commercial Banks? Explain.
Answer
Bank rate is the rate of interest at which the central banks lends money to the commercial banks. Suppose the central bank raises the bank rate. Since borrowing by the commercial banks becomes costlier, commercial banks are forced to increase the rate of interest they charge on borrowing by public. This reduces demand for borrowing and adversely affects deposit/money creation by commercial banks.
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Question 393 Marks
Explain the process of money creation by Commercial Banks.
Answer
Money creation by banks is determined by (1) Fresh deposits and (2) Legal Reserve Ratio. Suppose fresh deposit is Rs. 10000 and LRR is 20%. Initially banks keep Rs. 2000 as cash and lend Rs. 8000. Those who borrow spend this Rs. 8000. It is assumed that this Rs. 8000 comes into banks as a fresh deposit. Banks again keep 20% of it as cash reserve and lend the rest. In this way money creation goes on. Total money creation is Rs. 50000.
${\text{Money creation}} = {\text{initial deposit}\times\frac{1}{\text{LRR}}}$
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Question 403 Marks
State the four functions of money. Explain anyone of them.
Answer
Statement of functions:

  1. Medium of exchange.
  2. Store of value.
  3. Unit of account.
  4. Standard of deferred payment.

Explanation:

Medium of exchange: Buying and selling is done with money. It has facilitated trade.

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Question 413 Marks
Give four agency functions of commercial banks.
Answer
  1. Transfer of funds of customers.
  2. Collection of funds of customers.
  3. Purchase and sale of securities on behalf of  customers.
  4. Collection of interest and dividends on behalf of customers.
  5. Payments of bills, insurance premium, etc. as per customer’s direction.
  6. Acting as executor and trustee of wills, etc.
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Question 423 Marks
What is ‘barter’? Explain ‘standard of deferred payment’ function of money.
Answer
A barter system is an old method of exchange. This system has been used for centuries and long before money was invented. People exchanged services and goods for other services and goods in return.

Standard of Deferred Payment:

Deferred payments mean those payments which are to be made in the future. If a loan is taken today, it would be paid back after a period of time.

The amount of loan is measured in terms of money and it is paid back in money. A large number of credit transactions involving huge future payments are made daily. Money performs this function of standard for deferred payments because its value remains more or less stable.

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Question 433 Marks
Give meaning of money. Explain the ‘store of value’ function of money.
Answer
Money is a medium of exchange in the sense that we all agree to accept it in making transactions.

Store of value: Money is the most liquid asset (Liquidity measures how easily assets can be spent to buy goods and services). Money’s value can be retained over time. It is a convenient way to store wealth. Storage of value is one of the three generally accepted functions of money. The other functions are the medium of exchange, which is used as an intermediary to avoid the inconveniences of the coincidence of wants, and the unit of account, which allows the value of various goods, services, assets and liabilities to be rendered in multiples of the same unit.

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Question 443 Marks
Explain the’acceptance of deposits’function of commercial banks.
Answer
Acceptance of Deposits – Primary Functions of a Bank.

Acceptance of Deposits:

Accepting deposits is the primary function of a commercial bank mobilise savings of the household sector. Banks generally accept three types of deposits viz., (1) Current Deposits (2) Savings Deposits (3) Fixed Deposits.

  1. Current Deposits:

These deposits are also known as demand deposits. These deposits can be withdrawn at any time. Generally, no interest is allowed on current deposits, and in case, the customer is required to leave a minimum balance undrawn with the bank. Cheques are used to withdraw the amount. These deposits are kept by businessmen and industrialists who receive and make large payments through banks. The bank levies certain incidental charges on the customer for the services rendered by it.

  1. Savings Deposits:

This is meant mainly for professional men and middle class people to help them deposit their small savings. It can be opened without any introduction. Money can be deposited at any time, but the maximum cannot go beyond a certain limit. There is a restriction on the amount that can be withdrawn at a particular time or during a week. If the customer wishes to withdraw more than the specified amount at any one time, he has to give prior notice. Interest is allowed on the credit balance of this account. The rate of interest is greater than the rate of interest on the current deposits and less than that on fixed deposit. This system greatly encourages the habit of thrift or savings.

  1. Fixed Deposits:

These deposits are also known as time deposits. These deposits cannot be withdrawn before the expiry of the period for which they are deposited or without giving a prior notice for withdrawal. If the depositor is in need of money, he has to borrow on the security of this account and pay a slightly higher rate of interest to the bank. They are attracted by the payment of interest which is usually higher for longer period. Fixed deposits are liked by depositors both for their safety and as well as for their interest. In India, they are accepted between three months and ten years.

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Question 453 Marks
Explain the ‘store of value’ function of money.
Answer
Store of value: Money is the most liquid asset (Liquidity measures how easily assets can be spent to buy goods and services). Money’s value can be retained over time. It is a convenient way to store wealth. Storage of value is one of the three generally accepted functions of money. The other functions are the medium of exchange, which is used as an intermediary to avoid the inconveniences of the coincidence of wants, and the unit of account, which allows the value of various goods, services, assets and liabilities to be rendered in multiples of the same unit.
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Question 463 Marks
Explain the ‘acceptance of deposits’ function of a commercial bank.
Answer
Acceptance of Deposits – Primary Functions of a bank.

Acceptance of Deposits:

Accepting deposits is the primary function of a commercial bank mobilise savings of the household sector. Banks generally accept three types of deposits viz., (1) Current Deposits (2) Savings Deposits (3) Fixed Deposits.

  1. Current Deposits:

These deposits are also known as demand deposits. These deposits can be withdrawn at any time. Generally, no interest is allowed on current deposits, and in case, the customer is required to leave a minimum balance undrawn with the bank. Cheques are used to withdraw the amount. These deposits are kept by businessmen and industrialists who receive and make large payments through banks. The bank levies certain incidental charges on the customer for the services rendered by it.

  1. Savings Deposits:

This is meant mainly for professional men and middle class people to help them deposit their small savings. It can be opened without any introduction. Money can be deposited at any time but the maximum cannot go beyond a certain limit. There is a restriction on the amount that can be withdrawn at a particular time or during a week. If the customer wishes to withdraw more than the specified amount at any one time, he has to give prior notice. Interest is allowed on the credit balance of this account. The rate of interest is greater than the rate of interest on the current deposits and less than that on fixed deposit. This system greatly encourages the habit of thrift or savings.

  1. Fixed Deposits:

These deposits are also known as time deposits. These deposits cannot be withdrawn before the expiry of the period for which they are deposited or without giving a prior notice for withdrawal. If the depositor is in need of money, he has to borrow on the security of this account and pay a slightly higher rate of interest to the bank. They are attracted by the payment of interest which is usually higher for longer period. Fixed deposits are liked by depositors both for their safety and as well as for their interest. In India, they are accepted between three months and ten years.

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Question 473 Marks
Explain any one of the following functions of a central Bank: (1) Currency authority (2) lender of last resort.

 

Answer
  1. Currency authority:

The central bank is the bank of issue. It has the monopoly of note issue. Notes issued by it circulate as legal tender money. It has its issue department which issues notes and coins to commercial banks. Coins are manufactured in the government mint but they are put into circulation through the central bank.

Central banks have been following different methods of note issue in different countries. The central bank is required by law to keep a certain amount of gold and foreign securities against the issue of notes. In some countries, the amount of gold and foreign securities bears a fixed proportion, between 25 to 40 per cent of the total notes issued.

In other countries, a minimum fixed amount of gold and foreign currencies is required to be kept against note issue by the central bank. This system is operative in India whereby the Reserve Bank of India is required to keep Rs 115 crores in gold and Rs 85 crores in foreign securities. There is no limit to the issue of notes after keeping this minimum amount of Rs 200 crores in gold and foreign securities.

The monopoly of issuing notes vested in the central bank ensures uniformity in the notes issued which helps in facilitating exchange and trade within the country. It brings stability in the monetary system and creates confidence among the public. The central bank can restrict or expand the supply of cash according to the requirements of the economy. Thus it provides elasticity to the monetary system. By having a monopoly of note issue, the central bank also controls the banking system by being the ultimate source of cash. Last but not the least, by entrusting the monopoly of note issue to the central bank, the government is able to earn profits from printing notes whose cost is very low as compared with their face value.

  1. Lendar of last resort:

De Kock regards this function as a sine qua non of central banking. By granting accommodation in the form of re-discounts and collateral advances to commercial banks, bill brokers and dealers, or other financial institutions, the central bank acts as the lender of the last resort.

The central bank lends to such institutions in order to help them in times of stress so as to save the financial structure of the country from collapse. It acts as lender of the last resort through discount house on the basis of treasury bills, government securities and bonds at “the front door”.

The other method is to give temporary accommodation to the commercial banks or discount houses directly through the “back door”. The difference between the two methods is that lending at the front door is at the bank rate and in the second case at the market rate. Thus the central bank as lender of the last resort is a big source of cash and also influences prices and market rates.

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Question 483 Marks
What is monetary policy? State any three instruments of monetary policy.
Answer

Monetary policy refers to the policies and instruments through which the central bank controls the supply of money and credit. These instruments of monetary policy can be broadly classified into the following two categories.

  1. Qualitative Instruments.
  2. Quantitative Instruments.

The three instruments of monetary policy include:

  1. Moral Suasion: A persuasion technique followed by the central bank to pressurise the commercial banks to abide by the monetary policy is termed as moral suasion. This involves meetings, seminars, speeches and discussions, which explains the present economic scenario and thereby persuading the commercial banks to adapt the changes needed. In other words, this is an unofficial monetary policy that exercises the power of talk.

  2. Direct Action: The central bank can also take direct action against those commercial banks who do not abide by its directives and policy changes. In this case, the central bank may directly refuse any grant of further funds to such banks.

  3. Cash reserve ratio (CRR): It refers to the minimum proportion of the total deposits that the commercial banks has to maintain with the central bank in form of reserves. 
    An increase in the CRR, would mean that banks would be required to keep a greater portion in form of deposits with the central bank. This implies that the commercial banks are left with lesser amount of funds to lend out. Hence, the lending capacity of the banks reduces, leading to fall in the money supply. On the contrary, a fall in CRR will lead to an increase in the money supply.

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Question 493 Marks
Explain the role of the Reserve Bank of India as the ''lender of last resort''.
Answer
The central bank acts as a lender of the last resort for commercial banks. When commercial banks fail to meet obligations of their depositors or they are in some financial crisis, they try to arrange it from market or from other commercial bank. But if they fail to arrange the funds the last destination for them is Central bank. Central bank comes to their rescue. The central bank advances necessary credit against eligible securities subject to certain terms and conditions. This saves banks from a possible breakdown and hence works as ultimate financer to the commercial banks. Central bank never refuses to accommodate any eligible bank and help them in need.
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Question 503 Marks
Describe any three major functions of money.
Answer
The three major functions of money are :
1. Medium of Exchange : This is the primary function of money. It acts as an intermediary in sales and purchases, solving the problem of double coincidence of wants found in the barter system.
2. Measure of Value (Unit of Account) : Money serves as a common unit in which the value of all goods and services is expressed. It allows for easy comparison of prices and accounting.
3. Store of Value : Money can be kept for future use without losing its value significantly. It is the most liquid asset, allowing individuals to transfer purchasing power from the present to the future.
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Question 513 Marks
Describe any three functions of the Reserve Bank of India as a central bank.
Answer
The three main functions of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are :
1. Currency Authority (Issuing of Notes) : RBI has the sole right to issue currency notes in the country (except one-rupee notes and coins). This ensures uniformity in the monetary system.
2. Banker to the Government : RBI acts as a banker, agent, and financial advisor to the central and state governments. It manages government accounts and public debt.
3. Banker's Bank and Supervisor : It maintains the cash reserves of commercial banks and provides them with financial assistance in times of need (Lender of the Last Resort). It also supervises their functioning to protect depositors' interests.
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Question 523 Marks
Why do we say that commercial banks create money while we also say that the central bank has the sole right to issue currency? Explain. What is the likely impact of money creation by the commercial banks on national income?
Answer
Money supply has two component Currency and Demand Deposits with commercial banks. Currency is issued by the Central Bank while deposits are created by commercial banks by lending money to the people. Commercial banks create money by advancing loans from its deposits.
Total money created by commercial banks $=\frac{1}{\text{LRR}}$
Where LRR is legal reserve ratio.
In this way, commercial banks also create money. Commercial banks lend money mainly to investors. When commercial banks lend money investment increases. Therefore, national income rises due to money created by commercial banks. This rise in investment in the economy leads to rise in national income through the multiplier effect.
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Question 533 Marks
What is transaction demand for money? How is it related to the value of transactions over a specified period of time?
Answer
It refers to demand for conducting day-to-transactions. This motive can be looked at from the perspective of consumers, who want income to meet their household expenditure(income motive) and from the perspective of businessmen, who require money to carry on their business activities (business motive). The transaction motive relates to demand for money to meet the current transactions of individuals and business units.

The relationship between the value of transactions and transaction demand for money can be explained as:

The transaction demand for money in an economy $(\text{M}^{\text{D}}_{\text{T}})$ can be written as:

$\text{M}^{\text{D}}_{\text{T}}=\text{K T}$

Or, $\frac{1}{\text{k}}\text{M}^{\text{D}}_{\text{T}}=\text{T}$

Or, $\text{v}\text{M}^{\text{D}}_{\text{T}}=\text{T}$

$\text{v}=\frac{1}{\text{k}^{2}}$, represents velocity of circulation of money.

T = Total value of transactions in the economy over a period of time

K is a positive fraction

$(\text{M}^{\text{D}}_{\text{T}})$ = Stock of money people are willing to hold at a particular point of time.

The transaction demand for money is positively related to the total value of transactions and negatively related to the velocity with which money is circulated.

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Question 543 Marks
What is a ‘legal tender’? What is ‘fiat money’?
Answer
Legal tender money: Money that has a legal sanction by the government behind it, is called legal tender or legal tender money. It is money issued by monetary authority or the government which cannot be refused by any person in payment for transactions. Government issues an order describing what is money and that becomes legal tender money. Everybody is bound to accept it in exchange for goods and services and in discharge of debts. No one can refuse to accept it because non-acceptance is an offence. For example, in India currency (notes) and coins are legal tender money which cannot be refused in payment for transactions. In this context chequable demand deposits is not money because a person can legally refuse to accept payment through cheques. The legal tender status given by the government to money may be limited or unlimited.
Fiat Money: Fiat money is any money backed by the order (fiat) of the government to act as money. People have to accept it in exchange for goods and services and in discharge of debt as the government has ordered it to be money. It is also called legal tender as it circulates in the country on the fiat (i.e., command) of the government. Fiat money is generally created and issued by the government at the time of crisis like war or emergency. Since it is issued, without any backing of gold, silver or other reserves, therefore, it is inconvertible (not convertible) into anything than itself.
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Question 553 Marks
What are margin requirements? How does lowering or raising of margin requirements affect availability of credit?
Answer
Margin requirements refer to the excess of security amount over loan amount. In other words, margin requirements refer to the difference between the value of the security offered for loan and the value of loan granted. Suppose a person mortgages goods worth ₹ 10,000 with a bank and the bank gives him loan worth ₹ 38,000, the margin requirement in this case would be 20%. To curb excess demand, the Central bank raises the margin requirement. The borrowers are now given less money in the form of loans against the mortgaged goods. Thus, credit contracts and aggregate demand gets reduced. To correct the situation of deficient demand, margin is reduced to encourage borrowing. Commercial banks can now give more advances against the mortgaged goods. Thus, credit expands and aggregate demand increases.
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Question 563 Marks
Suppose a bond promises Rs. 500 at the end of two years with no intermediate return. If the rate of interest is 5 per cent per annum what is the price of the bond?
Answer
Let the price of bond be Rs. P

We know that,

$\text{A}=\text{P}\Big(1 + \frac{\text{r}}{100}\Big)^{\text{n}}$

It is given that

A = Rs. 500

r = 5%

n = 2 years

Substituting the values in the formula

$500=\text{P}\Big(1 + \frac{5}{100}\Big)^{2}$

$500=\text{P}\Big(1 + \frac{1}{20}\Big)^{2}$

$500=\text{P}\Big( \frac{21}{20}\Big)^{2}$

$500=\text{P}\Big( \frac{441}{400}\Big)$

$\text{P}= \frac{200000}{441}$

So, P = Rs 453.51

Therefore, Price of the bond is Rs. 453.51.

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Question 573 Marks
  1. What is meant by Repo Rate? How does the Central Bank use this measure to control inflationary conditions in an economy?
  2. What is meant by Margin Requirement? How does the Central Bank use this measure to control deflationary conditions in an economy?
Answer
  1. Repo Rate refers to the rate of interest at which Central Bank (RBI) lends money to commercial banks for a short term. To control the inflationary condition in the economy, RBI raises the Repo Rate to make borrowings expensive.
  2. Margin Requirements refer to the difference between the current value of the security offered for loan and the value of the loan granted. To control the deflationary conditions, the Central Bank reduces the margin requirements.
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Question 583 Marks
"Introduction of ATM outlets has brought about wasteful expenditure." Justify/ Refute.
Answer
It is agreeable that in today's fast moving world, the introduction of ATM outlets have contributed to wasteful expenditure. The reason being the availability of the money to the depositors at all times, i.e., it is readily available and there is no hesitation in spending it, or even overspending it on extravagant consumption, which leads to, at times wasteful expenditure on certain products, which we buy out of impulse and not the need. We should, as prudent savers, economize on impulsive buying and refrain from it to conserve our hard-earned money resource.
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Question 593 Marks
How has the introduction of plastic money enhanced the convenience of both, the depositor and the bank? Explain.
Answer
The introduction of plastic money in the form of debit card etc.) has enhanced the convenience of both the parties the depositor and the bank. This is attributed to the portability factor, alongwith the convenience factor, which in turn has led to the popularity of plastic money over the bank money in the form of cheques etc. to be encashed in the banks only. Consumer awareness is thus promoted through such innovations.
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Question 603 Marks
How has the introduction of plastic money enhanced the convenience of both the depositor and the bank? Explain.
Answer
The introduction of the plastic money in the form of the debit/ credit card) has definitely enhanced the convenience of both the depositor and the banks. This is keeping in view, the doing away with the burden of carrying money in bulky form (ie., currency notes). It not only adds weight on the person but also the risk involved in carrying huge amount of cash on person. So the portability factor along with the convenience involved, has led to popularity of plastic money over the bank money. This earlier practise of the depositor/ holder of cheque being physically present in the transaction with the bank has been done away with. The handy form of latest money-plastic money, is indeed a convenient form of money used for transactions.
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Question 613 Marks
How does the central bank (Reserve Bank of India) looks after the interest of the common man, even if, it is not a common man's bank?
Answer
Reserve Bank of India, being the apex bank of the country plays pivotal role in ensuring financial security to the common man indirectly, through its credit instruments used like open market operation, CRR, SLR, Repo Rate (RR), Reserve Repo Rate, Bank Rate etc. On the basis of the proper steps taken by the RBI, the government tries to ensure economic stability in the economy. This is mainly in the interest of social or public welfare via the commercial banks. These banks act as agents between the central bank and the common masses.
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Question 623 Marks
How do changes in cash reserve ratio affect availability of credit? Explain.

OR

Explain the effect of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on credit creation by commercial banks.

Answer
Cash reserve ratio refers to the minimum percentage of the total deposits of a bank which is required to be kept with the Central bank. All the commercial banks have to keep a certain percentage of their deposits in the form of minimum cash reserve ratio with the Central bank. For example, if the minimum reserve ratio is 10% and the total deposits of a commercial bank are ₹ 100 crores, it will have to keep ₹ 10 crores with the Central bank. If the minimum reserve ratio is 15%, the bank will have to keep ₹ 15 crores with the Central bank. Thus, when cash reserve ratio is increased, availability of credit is reduced and when the cash reserve ratio is reduced, Availability of credit is increased.
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Question 633 Marks
Give any three aims of demonetisation.
Answer
The three aims of demonetisation are:
  1. To curb corruption.
  2. To curb counterfeiting.
  3. To curb the use of high denomination notes for terrorist activities.
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Question 643 Marks
Explain the role of reverse repo rate in increasing money supply.
Answer
Reverse Repo Rate (RRR) is the interest rate at which the commercial banks can deposit their funds with the Central Bank Lowering RRR discourages the commercial banks from parking their funds with central bank. There is no adverse effect on liquidity with the banks and their credit creation power. This leads to an increase in money supply and helps in fighting deflationary tendencies in the economy.
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Question 653 Marks
Explain the role of "open market operations" in reducing money supply.

OR

What are open market operations? How do these affect availability of credit?

OR

How does a central bank influence credit creation by commercial banks by open market operations? Explain.

Answer
Open market operations refer to the purchase and sale of government securities in the open market by the Central bank. By selling the government securities, the Central Bank reduces the equivalent amount of reserves of commercial banks thereby restricting their capacity to lend. By buying government securities, the Central bank injects additional purchasing power into the system which results in the expansion of credit. Thus, depending on the situation of excess demand (or deficient demand), the Central bank may resort to sale (or purchase) of government securities resulting in fall (or a rise) in the availability of credit.
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Question 663 Marks
Explain the effect of bank rate on credit creation by commercial banks.
Answer
Bank rate is the minimum rate at which the Central bank of a country gives long- term credit to the commercial banks. The increase in bank rate increases the rate of interest, i.e., cost of borrowings goes up. Higher cost of borrowings discourages borrowers from demanding loan. Thus, the volume of credit is reduced. On the other hand, a decrease in bank rate lowers the rate of interest, i.e., cost of borrowing goes down. Lower cost of borrowing encourages borrowers to demand more loans. Thus, the volume of credit is increased. Hence, depending on the situation of excess demand (or deficient demand), the Central bank may raise the bank rate (or lower the bank rate) resulting in fall (or a rise) in the availability of credit.
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Question 673 Marks
Explain the 'bank of issue' function of the Central bank.
Answer
The Central bank is the sole authority for the issue of currency in the country. It promotes efficiency in the financial system. This is on account of two reasons. Firstly, this leads to uniformity in the issue of currency and secondly, it gives the Central Bank control over the money supply, which is very essential in a country.
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Question 683 Marks
Explain the "bankers' bank" function of the Central Bank.
Answer
The Central Bank acts as a banker and supervisor to commercial banks in various ways. Some of them are:
  1. It provides financial assistance to banks by discounting their bills and through loans and advances against approved securities as a lender of last resort.
  2. The commercial banks are required to maintain a certain percentage of deposits with the Central Bank. The sole aim of these reserves is to enable the Central Bank to provide financial assistance in times of financial emergency.
  3. It supervises, regulates and controls the activities of commercial banks.
  4. It provides the commercial banks with centralized clearing and remittance facility.
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Question 693 Marks
Explain 'Government's Bank' function of Central Bank.

OR

Explain 'banker to the government' function of the Central Bank.

Answer
The Central bank acts as a banker to the Government. In performing this role, it accepts receipts and makes payments on behalf of the government. It carries out exchange, remittance and other normal banking operations for the government. The Central bank manages the public debt and also lends to the government. The above mentioned functions performed by the Central bank substantiate its role as a banker to the government' or 'Government's Bank'.
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Question 703 Marks
Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative instruments of credit control.Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative instruments of credit control.
Answer
S. No. Basis
Quantitative Instruments
Qualitative Instruments
1. Meaning
These are the instruments of monetary policy that affect overall supply of money credit in the economy.
These instruments are used to regular the direction of credit.
2. Alternative Name
Traditional methods of control.
Selective methods of control.
3. Instruments
(i) Bank rate.
(ii) Repo rate.
(iii)
Reverse rapo rate.
(iv)
Open market operation.
(v)
Cash reserve ratio.
(vi) Statutory liquidity ration
(i) Marginal requirement.
(ii) Moral suasion.
(iii) Selection credit control.
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