The Small Finance Banks and the Payments Banks in India are both licensed under the Reserve Bank of India, and all its guidelines and functioning is monitored by the central bank of the country. Discussed further below are the differences between the two banks for the reference and understanding of all competitive exam aspirants.
Small finance banks are financial institutions that provide financial services to the country’s unserved, underserved and unbanked areas of the country. To know “What are the features of small finance banks?”, visit the linked article.
A payments bank operates on a smaller scale without involving any credit risk. It is a new model of banking in India, conceptualised by the central bank of India. To know about the history, background and regulations of Payments Bank, visit the linked article.
The difference between the two types of banks will widen the knowledge of government and IAS Exam aspirants about the basic banking industry in the country. Thus, candidates must carefully analyse the points of difference.
Small Finance Banks vs Payments Bank [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here
Small Finance Bank vs Payments Bank
Given below is a tabulated difference, comparing the aspects, guidelines and functions of the given two types of banks in India:
| Small Finance Banks | Payments Bank |
| Definition – Small Finance Banks are financial institutions that intend to fund the financial needs of the underprivileged sections through basic banking activities | Definition – A Payments Bank is like any other bank, but operating on a smaller scale without involving any credit risk. It can carry out most banking operations but can’t advance loans or issue credit cards. |
| Objectives:
These have been set up to further financial inclusion by:
|
Objectives:
The primary objective of setting up payments banks will be to further financial inclusion by providing:
|
| How many Small Finance Banks are in India?
As of December 2021, there are 11 Small Finance Banks in the country:
|
How many Payments banks are in India?
As of December 2021, there are 6 Payments Bank in India:
|
| Capital Requirement:
The minimum paid-up equity capital for small finance banks is Rs.100 crore |
Capital Requirement:
The minimum paid-up equity capital of the payments bank is Rs.100 crore |
Scope of Activities:
|
Scope of Activities:
|
| Time Deposit:
Time Deposit such as Fixed Deposit (FD) and Recurring Deposit (RD) are both accepted |
Time Deposit:
These do not accept time deposits like FD and RD |
| They can offer small loans | They cannot offer loans |
| There is no restriction in the area of operations of small finance banks | The payments bank cannot set up subsidiaries to undertake non-banking financial services activities |
| Capital Small Finance Bank, launched in 2016 was India’s first Small Finance Bank | Airtel Payments Bank, introduced in 2016, became India’s first entity to receive a payments bank license from RBI |
There are a few similarities also between the two banks. One of which is that the foreign shareholding in these banks would be as per the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for private sector banks.
Apart from the Small Finance Banks and Payments Bank, there are various other categories of banks in India, candidates can learn about each one of them in detail at the Types of Banks in India page.
Also, all government exam aspirants can refer to 100+ Difference Between Articles, from different fields and subjects at the linked article. This shall prove to be helpful with the competitive exam preparation.
Other Related Links:
- History of Banking in India
- Functions of Bank
- List of Co-operative Banks in India
- What is the difference between a Bank and NBFC?
- Non-Banking Financial Institutions
Small Finance Banks vs Payments Bank [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here
Banking, its related terms, and its types are an important topic from the perspective of government and civil service exam. Such questions can be included in the general awareness/current affairs part and can be easy scorers. Thus, candidates must focus on the details discussed above in this article.
For any further details, latest exam updates and study material, visit BYJU’S.
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