Plastic Money Revolution In Bangladesh

Plastic Money business is definitely going big time in Bangladesh. More and more local and international financial institutions are exhibiting enthusiasm in this direction. It reflects prospects in Bangladesh market in accommodating numerous credit card competitors operating on the circuit, ensuring healthy and competitive card business deals.

Carrying wads of cash for a weekly or monthly shop is risky and not having enough when you get to the till is embarrassing. Those days are gone when we had to carry loads of cash and plan our shopping sprees. To keep their money secure is an age-old problem. The 21st century solution is plastic.

Today credit and debit cards have largely replaced cheques as alternatives to cash. Both are reasonably secure compared to cash and are widely accepted.

Credit cards are financial instruments, which can be used more than once to borrow money or buy products and services on credit. Basically banks, retail stores and other businesses issue these.

A number of banks in Bangladesh are encouraging people to use credit card. The concept of credit card was used in 1950 with the launch of charge cards in USA by Diners Club and American Express. Credit card however became more popular with use of magnetic strip in 1970.

Credit card in Bangladesh became popular with the introduction of foreign banks in the country. Although credit card was introduced in Bangladesh in 1997 by a local bank namely National Bank.

There are thirteen banks and one financial institution issuing Credit Cards in Bangladesh. They are-Standard Chartered Bank, National Credit & Commerce (NCC) Bank, Premier Bank, Prime Bank, Arab Bangladesh (AB) Bank, Dhaka Bank, Southeast Bank, National Bank, The City Bank, United Commercial Bank, Mercantile Bank, EXIM Bank, One Bank and Lanka Bangla.

In addition to credit cards, debit cards are now being introduced in Bangladesh. Money spent using these cards is deducted automatically from a bank account.

Debit cards in particular are rapidly growing more popular. In fact debit cards look like credit or ATM cards, but work like cash or a personal cheque. By definition you can't run up credit on a debit card; you must have money in your account. In short they offer you the transactional convenience of a credit card, without a credit facility.

According to Mohammad Anisur Rahman, officer of National Credit & Commerce(NCC) Bank, "a credit card has many advantages that make it preferable to paper money in many countries. The expansion of credit facilities holds great promise for spurring the growth of the Bangladeshi economy and pulling it out of recession."

He added that, currently there are more than two lakhs credit card holders in Bangladesh. In case of salaried persons, two copies of photos, six months bank transaction, the TIN certificate and salary certificate is sought and in case of businessmen, an including photos, TIN certificate, bank transaction and trade license/ partnership deal or article of memorandum is required. The other optional things, which are necessary for applying cards, are passport id, voter id, driving license, commissioner certificate, any utility bill and other card statement copy.

The growth of credit cards has had an enormous impact on the economy-changing buying habits by making it much easier for consumers to finance purchases and by lowering savings rates (because consumers do not need to save money for larger purchases).

Technology advances have facilitated the use of credit cards. Merchants are now connected to banks by modem, so purchases are approved rapidly; on-line shopping on the Internet is possible with credit card payment. Credit card companies are also experimenting with smart cards that would act like a small computer, storing account and other information necessary for its use. An alternative to credit cards is the debit card, which is used to deduct the price of goods and service directly from customers' bank balances.

When you applied for your very first credit card you probably told yourself it was an important step in your financial future. Having a credit card is an essential part of building credit and cards come in handy in the case of an emergency too.

But after a few weeks-or even days-you found yourself charging lattes and late-night pizzas on your card. Suddenly "emergencies" consisted of clothes, meals and other things you just couldn't live without. Before you knew it, these charges that seemed so small at the time, had quickly added up to a sum that was too large to pay off all at once.

The good news, if there is any, is that you aren't alone. Credit card debt can sneak up on anyone quickly, but if you don't get it under control right away, it can be quite detrimental to your financial future. It really isn't as hard as you might think; it just takes persistence and dedication. Here are some tips to get you on your way to being debt free.

Most people have heard the rule that you should always put at least 10% of every paycheck into savings. Instead of building up a savings account, however, those with debt should put all their extra money towards credit card payments. If you're truly serious about getting out of debt, putting every penny toward your bills makes better financial sense than setting aside money in a low interest rate savings account.

Another important tip to remember is that you should always pay off your higher interest rate credit cards first. On the highest interest rate debt, always pay as much as you can possibly afford. At the very least, you should always pay the minimum but funnel any additional money into paying this debt off first. On the lower interest rate debt, continue to make timely minimum payments. Once you have paid off your higher interest rate debt, begin to apply that money to pay off your second debt. Continue to make minimum payments on any other cards as well-always allocating the most money to your highest interest rate debt. Doing this will have a snowball effect; eventually, you will see your debt diminish.

If you are able, it is helpful to pay more than the minimum payment each month. The minimum payment is usually two to three percent of your balance and is made up of 90% interest, with only 10% going towards reducing the principal. Pay a little more than the minimum and you will be surprised at how fast the balance decreases.

Also, do not be afraid to ask your credit card company for a better deal. Lenders are very competitive these days, so it cannot hurt to call and negotiate a lower rate or ask them to eliminate the annual fees. When you speak to the customer service executive, tell them that you are going to close your account if your request is not met. Remind them that other cards are offering you lower rates and no fees.

Some says that plastic money can be convenient and liberating, but it also comes with a lot of hidden traps and added responsibility. Many consumers are unable to take advantage of these benefits because they carry a balance on their credit card from month to month. Many find it hard to resist using the old "plastic" for impulse purchases or buying things they really can't afford.

Some things to remember
When deciding on the right card, consider the cost involved in holding it and the benefits enjoyed from it. The credit card company will always make their features sound unique and amazing. Whenever in doubt, it is advisable to ask the right questions and demand explanations for features you don't understand.

There are many things that the banker didn't tell you when he "gave" you a credit card: For example, because of the interest charged, the credit on one's card can work out to be extremely costly land completely invisible if you don't read the statements carefully. And then there are interest rates, processing fees, joining fees, annual fees, add-on cards, transaction fees, late fees, credit limits, besides a host of other smaller issues, which can make life on credit quite expensive.

Always retain sales/charge slips to compare with the amount specified on the billing statement. If your card ever gets stuck in the ATM, do not reveal your PIN even to the connected bank official/institution. It would suffice to let him/her know that your card has got stuck in the ATM.

If you forget you PIN, contact card issuing bank/institution and intimate then of the same. The bank will then send you a new card with a new PIN on receipt of which you should immediately cut up your old card.

The banker will also make the late payment fee sound ridiculously low, but you will hear another story if you ask what it amounts to on an annual basis. Also, remember that each card has a different spending limit. Make sure you know what it is and compare it to what others are offering.

Remember, your card often covers health and accident insurance. So don't forget to claim it when the need arises!

Debit cards, which allow you to make purchases by directly debiting your account, can save you a lot of trouble from unpaid bills. But there are other unknown facts about their usage.

Interest charge: As you know, on the due date, you can choose to pay your entire outstanding amount at one go, or delay by paying a "minimum amount". But by doing that, you automatically loose the free credit privilege, until you pay off the balance amount. The amount rolled over will get charged an interest. And you will be charged for every little purchase you make in the future, until you pay the entire outstanding amount! Banks will answer this concern by introducing revolving credits and interest-free days, but what they won't mention is the fact that they can change interest rates as they please. And often the special offers are for a short period, or strict "conditions apply". And last but not least, after this year's union budget was passed, we have more to be careful about: The standard service tax rate has increased.

Annual fee: All card issuers charge an annual fee (depending upon the type of card - standard, gold, or platinum), which is payable at the start of the year. In order to attract customers, as a privilege, this fee is sometimes waived for the first one year. But when the time comes for renewal, the banker never asks if you wish to continue using their services or not - he renews it and charges you.

Withdrawing money: Few people are aware that when you withdraw from an ATM with your debit card, the transaction is free only if you are using your own bank's network. As a safety measure, you are also allowed to withdraw only up to a certain limit at a time. The machine normally displays the allowed amount when you log on your request. This depends on the sum you have in your account and/or the amount of currency the machine holds at the moment of withdrawal.

Avoid card fraud

Extra copies of charge slips: When processing your credit card, a dishonest merchant may decide to imprint extra copies of the charge slip and after submit them on phony charges. So watch clerks process your credit payments. Open your credit card bills each month and check the listed purchases.

Discarded charge slips: Sometimes, people may collect copies of your discarded charge slips from the waste basket, and order merchandise by mail. So always tear them up before throwing them away.

Unsigned credit cards: Stealing and using credit cards that have not been signed is another potential fraud. So when you receive a new or replacement card, sign on the back as soon as it is activated. Always be sure to store it in a safe place. Cut up expired cards before disposing of them.

On the Internet: Software to protect you and your privacy is a part of most web sites. When ordering online, check if you are on a secure server by looking for a security symbol such as an unbroken key or padlock symbol at the bottom of your Internet browser window. These symbols indicate that any information you may send to the web site, including your credit card numbers, is encrypted or put into computer code prior to transmission.

Theft of credit cards: If your credit card is lost or stolen, contact your bank or issuing institution immediately. Your monthly statement should list the phone number of whom to contact. You do not have to pay for any unauthorized charges made after you have notified the issuing bank or institution. Don't ever agree to pay any unauthorized charges, even if the bank suggests bearing part of them.

If used wisely, a credit card can provide convenience and allow you to make purchases with nearly a month to pay for them before finance charges kick in.

History Of Banking Business

Banks have influenced economies and politics for centuries. Historically, the primary purpose of a bank was to provide loans to trading companies. Banks provided funds to allow businesses to purchase inventory, and collected those funds back with interest when the goods were sold. For centuries, the banking industry only dealt with businesses, not consumers. The name bank derives from the Italian word banco "desk/bench", used during the Renaissance by Florentine bankers, who used to make their transactions above a desk covered by a green tablecloth.

The first banks were probably the religious temples of the ancient world, and were probably established sometime during the third millennium B.C. Banks probably predated the invention of money. Deposits initially consisted of grain and later other goods including cattle, agricultural implements, and eventually precious metals such as gold, in the form of easy-to-carry compressed plates. Temples and palaces were the safest places to store gold as they were constantly attended and well built. As sacred places, temples presented an extra deterrent to would-be thieves. There are extant records of loans from the 18th century BC in Babylon that were made by temple priests/monks to merchants. By the time of Hammurabi's Code, banking was well enough developed to justify the promulgation of laws governing banking operations.

Ancient Greece holds further evidence of banking. Greek temples, as well as private and civic entities, conducted financial transactions such as loans, deposits, currency exchange, and validation of coinage. There is evidence too of credit, whereby in return for a payment from a client, a moneylender in one Greek port would write a credit note for the client who could "cash" the note in another city.

Pythius, who operated as a merchant banker throughout Asia Minor at the beginning of the 5th century B.C., is the first individual banker of whom we have records. Many of the early bankers in Greek city-states were “metics” or foreign residents. Around 371 B.C., Pasion, a slave, became the wealthiest and most famous Greek banker, gaining his freedom and Athenian citizenship in the process.

Next, emerged some particular purpose oriented banks like the Bank of Venice (1171) and the Bank of England, which looked after the loans to the government, and the Bank of Amsterdam (1694) was formed to receive the gold and silver deposits. With the development in the business sector, the banking sector also developed proportionately and the eighteenth and nineteenth century experienced the rapid growth in this sector.

Modern Western economic and financial history is usually traced back to the coffee houses of London. The London Royal Exchange was established in 1565. At that time moneychangers were already called bankers, though the term "bank" usually referred to their offices, and did not carry the meaning it does today. There was also a hierarchical order among professionals; at the top were the bankers who did business with heads of state, next were the city exchanges, and at the bottom were the pawn shops or "Lombard"'s. Some European cities today have a Lombard street where the pawn shop was located.

Banking offices were usually located near centers of trade, and in the late 17th century, the largest centers for commerce were the ports of Amsterdam, London, and Hamburg. Individuals could participate in the lucrative East India trade by purchasing bills of credit from these banks, but the price they received for commodities was dependent on the ships returning (which often didn't happen on time) and on the cargo they carried (which often wasn't according to plan).

In the modern times, the banking sector developed with the developing sector of trade and commerce. Today, there are different types of banks has been established for different purposes. These are the types of banks operating in today's market:

• Commercial banks: This type of banking includes national and state-charted banks, stock savings banks, and industrial banks. This kind of banking service has provided many services to the society which includes,the basic functions of savings, providing loans, dealing in time deposits, etc. The reserve requirements of these banks are totally different from the mutual saving banks.

• Mutual savings bank: This type of banks provides some limited type of loans and deals in savings and other deposits. But recently the modifications has been done and now, these banks are also providing a huge number of facilities. In these banks, the investment and loan amount depends on the available customer's deposits.

Once, the national level banks started rolling, the concept of international banking emerged. Actually, the growth in the trade and commerce, the growth in the exchanges between countries, the multi-national trades, etc. demanded some kind of international organization to carry out the business smoothly. So, the following international banks were formed in order to fulfill the demands of the modern global market:

• World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development): It was founded in 1945 with the view to approve loans to private investors and to the governments of different countries.

• IMF (International Monetary Fund): The bank has been involved in simplifying the process of debt clearance between the nations. It has also provided valuable suggestions to the members in the field of international banking.

• The European Central Bank (European monetary system): Has been founded in 1998 to handle the joint monetary policy of those European countries, which have adopted a single currency.

There are several organizations, which have developed in the recent times and which are performing some of the orthodox banking operations, but these are not under the supervision of state or federal banking authorities. These organizations are also serving the society in the same manner as the traditional banks serve. Some of these organizations are:

• Savings associations
• Loan associations
• Finance companies
• Mortgage companies
• Insurance companies
• Credit unions
• Investment bankers
• Credit securities
• Brokers and dealers in securities

Oldest private banks

• Monte dei Paschi di Siena 1472 - present, the oldest surviving bank in the world. Founded in 1472 by the Magistrate of the city state of Siena, Italy.
• C. Hoare & Co founded 1672
• Barclays, which was founded by John Freame and Thomas Gould in 1690 and renamed to Barclays by Freame's son-in-law, James Barclay, in 1736
• Rothschild family 1700 - present
• Wegelin & Co. Private Bankers 1741 - present, the oldest Swiss bank, founded in 1741 in St. Gallen, third largest private bank in Switzerland
• Hope & Co., founded in 1762

Oldest national banks

• Bank of Sweden — The rise of the national banks, began operations in 1668
• Bank of England — The evolution of modern central banking policies, established in 1694
• Bank of America — The invention of centralized check and payment processing technology
• Swiss banking
• United States Banking
• The Pennsylvania Land Bank, founded in 1723 and receiving the support of Benjamin Franklin who wrote "Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency" in 1729.
• Imperial Bank of Persia (Iran) — History of banking in the Middle-East