When you think about banking, you’re likely thinking of retail banking. Retail banking is comprised of the financial services that institutions offer for individuals and small businesses and can also be referred to as consumer banking or personal banking. It caters to the financial needs of individual customers and the general public as opposed to corporations and other large companies.
Retail banking is an ideal solution that helps individuals and small businesses optimize their finances, maintain a clear financial vision for the future, and grow their personal wealth. Here’s what you need to know about retail banking.
The Basics and Benefits of Retail Banking
Retail banking offers a wide range of services to individuals and small businesses to help them manage their money, deposit funds securely, and get access to credit. These services include checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, lines of credit, and certificates of deposit (CDs).
Retail banks can be your local community bank or the division of a large commercial bank. Most financial services institutions are a one-stop-shop for all your personal banking needs, and while not all consumers will use every retail banking service, they are offered as part of your financial planning journey. The most common retail banking services are checking and savings accounts used to securely store and access your money.
Retail banking also allows individuals and small businesses to earn interest on their cash. Most savings accounts (and some checking accounts) offer interest rates based on the federal funds rate, which in layman’s terms means you can earn a bit of money simply by storing your cash in a checking or savings account.
Additionally, retail banking is an important source of credit for consumers and small businesses. By opening, using, and repaying a credit card or borrowing funds for larger purchases like homes and cards, you start to build credit over time, improve your credit score, and make it easier for you to secure loans and lines of credit in the future.
The Future of Retail Banking
As of 2023, the five largest U.S. commercial banks were JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, and U.S. Bank. While these are large commercial banks, they all offer retail banking services as a part of their services. Local community banks and credit unions are other types of retail banks that offer all the same services as the big guys.
It’s important to note, however, that there are some shifting trends in the retail banking space, such as the ongoing switch to mobile and online banking. This type of banking allows institutions to offer even more tools and features to consumers, such as mobile deposits, secure and easy access to accounts and transactions, quick fund transfer, the ability to put temporary holds on debit cards, and much more.
There are also banks that have gone completely online, and these banks can often offer lower interest rates for loans and credit cards because they don’t have the same overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar location. If you don’t find yourself needing onsite or in-person financial assistance, online retail banking can be a good option.
Optimize Your Finances with Republic Bank
There are many great retail banking options out there for individuals and small businesses today. At Republic Bank, we are dedicated to providing you everything you could possibly need to be successful in your financial journey, whether that’s saving money for college, planning for retirement, or starting a small business. To speak to one of our expert team members, give us a call at 800-526-9127. Plus, explore other financial tips here.
