Characteristics of Retail Banking

Retail banking primarily serves individual consumers and small businesses by offering a range of financial products, including savings accounts, loans, and credit cards. These services are delivered through multiple channels to ensure accessibility and convenience. Retail banking enables customers to manage their finances effectively, access credit facilities, and deposit funds securely. Beyond its core functions…

Understanding Programme and Performance Budgeting

Programme Budgeting Programme budgeting, also referred to as program-based budgeting, is a financial planning approach that prioritizes the outputs and outcomes of programs rather than solely focusing on inputs (costs). This methodology seeks to integrate planning, budgeting, and performance assessment, enabling governments to allocate resources effectively to priority areas and evaluate whether these allocations yield…

Preparation and Monitoring of Various Types of Budgets

Budget preparation involves formulating financial plans, whereas budget monitoring ensures that expenditures remain aligned with the allocated budget and that financial objectives are achieved. How to Prepare a Budget 1. Establish Realistic Goals Prior to creating a budget plan, it is essential to evaluate the current financial situation. Set specific and measurable short-term, mid-term, and…

Revised Priority Sector Lending Guidelines: Expansion of Loan Limits and Coverage

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised guidelines on Priority Sector Lending (PSL) following a comprehensive review of existing provisions and stakeholder feedback. These updated norms introduce several significant changes, including an increase in loan limits for housing and renewable energy projects, as well as modifications to the classification criteria for priority sector…

Difference Between Marginal Costing and Absorption Costing in Income Measurement

The primary distinction between marginal costing and absorption costing lies in their treatment of fixed production costs. Marginal costing considers fixed production costs as period costs, expensing them in the period incurred. In contrast, absorption costing treats fixed production costs as product costs, allocating them to the units produced. Additionally, absorption costing emphasizes overhead recovery,…

Absorption Costing: A System for Profit Reporting and Stock Valuation

Absorption costing, also known as full costing, is an accounting method used for inventory valuation. It incorporates all manufacturing costs, including direct materials, direct labor, and both variable and fixed manufacturing overhead, into the cost of a product. This approach is crucial for inventory valuation and profit reporting. Key Features of Absorption Costing Comprehensive Cost…