Difference Between Wholesale Banking And Retail Banking

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First, this essay describes the difference between retail banking and wholesale banking. Afterwards, the analysis digs deeper into the differences between a retail banking panic and a wholesale banking panic. Finally, it is stated how the early part of this crisis is different from historical episodes in the last two centuries.

Difference retail banking and wholesale banking

Retail banking comprises financial services provided from a financial institution (e.g. commercial banks) to households. Examples of offered services are mortgages, debit and credit cards, savings, checking accounts and personal loans. On the other hand, wholesale banking consists of banking services between commercial banks and other financial institutions. Examples of services provided are large trade transactions, working capital financing and currency conversion. Wholesale banking is involved in transactions with larger institutions, while retail banking involves services with individuals or smaller businesses.

The first part of this essay uses Adrian and Shin (2010) to explain the working of the financial system and the interlinkages between households, securities firms, ABS issuers, commercial banks and money market funds. In our opinion, retail banking is well represented by the Short Intermediation Chain. Households make deposits at the bank, and the bank uses this money to provide mortgages or other loans to other households (see figure 2).
However, wholesale banking is a much longer and more

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