Clear, practical explanations of banking and finance.
Correspondent banking is an arrangement in which one bank provides financial services to another bank, often across international borders. It enables international transfers, foreign currency transactions and trade-related banking services. Nostro and vostro accounts help…
SWIFT: A global financial messaging network that allows banks to exchange secure payment instructions, particularly for international transfers. SEPA: A standardized framework for euro payments across participating European countries. ACH: A US electronic payment network used…
Interest income: Banks earn interest from loans, debt securities, and other interest-bearing assets. Net interest income: The difference between interest earned and interest paid on deposits and other funding. Banking fees: Account services, loan processing, payment services,…
Bank failure: Occurs when a bank can no longer operate safely or meet its financial obligations, leading to regulatory intervention, resolution or closure. Depositor protection: Many countries insure eligible bank deposits up to specified limits. Access to money: Insured…
Basel III is an international banking regulatory framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS). Capital adequacy: Banks must maintain regulatory capital to absorb financial losses. Minimum capital ratios: Basel standards require CET1 capital of at…
IBAN (International Bank Account Number): A standardized identifier for a specific bank account. SWIFT/BIC code: An internationally standardized code identifying a bank or other business party. Main difference: IBAN identifies the account; SWIFT/BIC identifies the…
Quick Summary Neobank: A digital-first financial services provider that offers banking-like services mainly through mobile apps and websites. Operating models: Some neobanks are fully licensed banks; others use partner banks or electronic money licences. Benefits: Convenient…
Quick Summary International transfers can cost more than domestic payments because they involve multiple currencies, institutions and payment systems. Transfer fees: Sending banks and payment providers may charge fixed or percentage-based fees. Exchange-rate margins:…
Fraud detection: Banks analyze transactions, customer activity, devices, account relationships and payment patterns to identify suspicious behavior. Artificial intelligence: Machine learning helps identify unusual activities and potential fraud patterns, but human review…
Quick Summary APR (Annual Percentage Rate): Measures the annualized cost of borrowing, including interest and certain applicable fees. APY (Annual Percentage Yield): Measures the annualized interest earned on savings or deposit products, including compounding. Main…