Essential Bank PO Interview Questions
Adjustments to the Repo Rate significantly affect the prime lending rate set by commercial banks. A decrease in the Repo Rate typically leads to a reduction in the prime lending rate, lowering borrowing costs for customers and stimulating spending and investment. Conversely, an increase in the Repo Rate raises the prime lending rate, making loans more expensive, which can cool economic overheating and control inflation .
Basel 3 norms aim to strengthen bank capital requirements by increasing liquidity and decreasing leverage. In India, these norms push banks to maintain higher capital reserves, enhancing their capacity to absorb shocks from financial and economic stress, thereby promoting stability. However, this can also mean less capital available for lending, potentially slowing credit growth and impacting profitability in the short term .
KYC is a regulatory framework used by banks to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship. By ensuring accurate identification and risk assessment, it helps prevent identity theft, financial fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing, thereby maintaining security and regulatory compliance in the banking industry .
The Repo Rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country lends money to commercial banks to control inflation and stimulate growth. When the Repo Rate is decreased, it becomes cheaper for banks to borrow money, potentially leading to increased lending to consumers and businesses, spurring economic growth. Conversely, an increase in the Repo Rate makes borrowing more expensive, helping to control inflation by reducing money supply in the economy .
A mechanical engineering graduate could highlight their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for managing and understanding financial data and banking operations. They might also emphasize their mathematical expertise, familiarity with technical tools, and experience in systematic troubleshooting. These skills can be vital in roles such as risk management, financial analysis, and operations optimization within a bank .
Gross NPAs refer to the total amount of non-performing assets which are loans that have stopped generating income for the bank. Net NPAs, however, are calculated by deducting provisions made by banks from the Gross NPAs. This distinction is important as it provides a clearer picture of the actual financial burden of NPAs on a bank, affecting its profitability and decision-making on loan provisions .
Plastic currency, such as credit and debit cards, offers advantages like convenience, security, and the ability to track spending. It also reduces the risk associated with carrying cash and facilitates online transactions. However, disadvantages include potential overspending, security risks like fraud and theft, and dependence on digital infrastructure, which can be a drawback in areas with limited technology access .
The Jan Dhan Yojana aims to increase financial inclusion by providing every household with access to a bank account, financial literacy, credit, insurance, and pension. By facilitating zero balance accounts and linking them with AADHAAR for identity verification, the scheme helps bring the unbanked population into the formal financial sector, thereby promoting savings and securing financial transactions .
Linking financial services to AADHAAR simplifies identity verification, improving the efficiency and reach of financial inclusion efforts. For citizens, this enhances access to banking services, benefits, and subsidies, while reducing instances of fraud. For the banking sector, it streamlines processes and reduces administrative costs. However, concerns over privacy and data security remain significant challenges .
NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) allows for the transfer of funds between banks on a deferred settlement basis, typically within the same day. RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement) enables the continuous and real-time settlement of transactions on an individual basis, being ideal for high-value transactions. IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) offers instant 24x7 transfer of funds across banks, facilitating smooth and rapid transactions for the general public .

