Interviews are around the corner for many candidates for IBPS PO, Clerk, etc. Check out the comprehensive list of top best 50 Interview Questions Mostly Asked In Banking Sector.

1. Why do you want to join banking sector?
Banking is one of the fastest growing sectors in India these days with more stable and high
growth and it also provides wide range of career opportunities for the candidates.
So this would be a great opportunity for me to grow personally and professionally in life.

2. What is the difference between Cheque and Demand Draft?
Cheque: Cheuqe is a negotiable instrument instructing a bank to pay a specific amount from a specific account held in the maker/depositor name with that Bank.
Demand Draft: A demand draft is an instrument used for effecting transfer of money. It is a negotiable instrument.

See Also: Top 100+ IBPS Interview Questions(PO, Clerk, SO, etc.)

3. What is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)?
A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local authority or other marketable securities of a like nature, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance business, chit business but does not include any institution whose principal business is that of agriculture activity, industrial activity, purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or providing any services and sale/purchase/construction of immovable property. A non-banking institution which is a company and has principal business of receiving deposits under any scheme or arrangement in one lump sum or in installments by way of contributions or in any other manner, is also a non-banking financial company (Residuary non-banking company).

4. NBFCs are doing functions similar to banks. What is difference between banks & NBFCs ?
NBFCs lend and make investments and hence their activities are akin to that of banks; however there are a few differences as given below:
NBFC cannot accept demand deposits like banks;
NBFCs do not form part of the payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques drawn on itself;
deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation is not available to depositors of NBFCs, unlike in case of banks.

5 . What is Private Banking?
Banking services offered to high net-worth individuals. Private banking institution
assists the high net-worth individual in investing his/her money in exchange for
commissions and fees. The term “private” refers to the customer service being
rendered on a more personal basis.

6. What is BSBDA?
Under the guidelines issued on August 10, 2012 by RBI: Any individual, including poor or those from weaker section of the society, can open zero balance account in any bank. BSBDA guidelines are applicable to “all scheduled commercial banks in India, including foreign banks having branches in India”.
All the accounts opened earlier as ‘no-frills’ account should be renamed as BSBDA. Banks are required to convert the existing ‘no-frills’ accounts’ into ‘Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts’.
The ‘Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account’ should be considered as a normal banking service available to all customers, through branches .
The aim of introducing ‘Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account’ is very much part of the efforts of RBI for furthering Financial Inclusion objectives.

7. What is BPS (Basis Points)?
BPS (Basis point) : – BPS is an acronym for basic points is used to indicate changes in rate of interest and other financial instrument.
1 BASIC POINT IS EQUAL TO 0.01%
So when we say that repo rate has been increased by 25 bps, it means that the rate has been increased by 0.25%

8. What is KYC?
The full form of KYC is “Know Your Customer”. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised banks to follow ‘KYC guidelines’, wherein certain personal information of the account-opening prospect or the customer is obtained. The objective of doing so is to enable the Bank to have positive identification of its customers. This is also in the interest of customers to safeguard their hard earned money.
The KYC guidelines of RBI mandate banks to collect three proofs from their customers. They are-
Photograph
Proof of identity
Proof of address

9. What is Sub-prime crisis?
The current Subprime crisis is due to sub-prime lending. These are the loans given
to the people having low credit rating. The USA recession during the period 2007-2009 was due to the sub-prime crisis.

10. What is Base Rate?
It is the minimum rate of interest that a bank is allowed to charge from its customers. Unless mandated by the government, RBI rule stipulates that no bank can offer loans at a rate lower than BR to any of its customers.
It is effective from, July 1, 2010. However, all existing loans, including home loans and car loans, will continue to be at the current rate. Only the new loans taken on or after July 1 and old loans being renewed after this date will be linked to BR.

11. What is SWIFT?
SWIFT :- Society for worldwide Interbank financial tele- communication.
India was 74th Nation to join SWIFT Network.
SWIFT Code is a standard format of bank Identifier code. This code is used particularly in International transfer of money between banks.
A majority of FOREX related message are sent to correspondent banks abroad through SWIFT.
SWIFT Code consist 8 or 11 character when code is 8 digit, It is referred to primary office 4 – bank code
2 – country code
2 – location code
3 – branch code (optional).

12. What is Swabhimaan Yojana?
Swabhimaan is a financial inclusion plan of bank to take banking to the door steps of the remote village where banking facility are not available.

13. What is NOSTRO and VOSTRO account?
NOSTRO Account: A NOSTRO account is maintained by an Indian bank in the foreign countries.
VOSTRO Account: a vostro a/c is maintained by a foreign bank in India with their corresponding bank.

14. What is a DeMat Account?
DeMat means dematerialized account. If one has to save money or make cheque payments, then he/she needs to open a bank account. Similarly, one needs to open a DeMat account if he/she wants to buy or sell stocks. Thus, DeMat account is similar to a bank account wherein the actual money is being replaced by shares. In order to open a DeMat account, one needs to approach the Depository Participants [DPs].
In India, a DeMat account is a type of banking account that dematerializes paper-based physical stock shares. The DeMat account is used to avoid holding of physical shares: the shares are bought as well as sold through a stock broker. In this case, the advantage is that one does not need any physical evidence for possessing these shares. All the things are taken care of by the DPs.
This account is very popular in India. Physically only 500 shares can be traded as per the provision given by SEBI. From April 2006, it has become mandatory for any person holding a DeMat account to possess a Permanent Account Number (PAN).

15. What is RuPay Card?
RuPay is the Indian domestic card payment network set up by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) at the behest of banks in India. The RuPay project had been conceived by Indian Banks Association (IBA) and had the approval of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
RuPay LogoNational Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has a plan to provide a full range of card payment services including the RuPay ATM, RuPay MicroATM, Debit, Prepaid and Credit Cards which will be accepted in India and abroad, across various channels like POS, Internet, IVR and mobile etc.
The initial focus of NPCI would be to approach those banks who have not been issuing any payment card at all more specifically – Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and urban co-operative banks.
All Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) banks set to join RuPay system by the end of year 2012. RuPay-based debit cards can be used by the consumers on the Internet from September, 2012.
The government of India had launched India’s first domestic payment card network, RuPay, to compete with Visa Inc and Mastercard Inc. Many banks have also started providing RuPay cards.

16. What is foreign exchange reservers?
Foreign exchange reserves (also called Forex reserves) in a strict sense are only the foreign currency deposits and bonds held by central banks and monetary authorities.However, the term in popular usage commonly includes foreign exchange and gold,SDRs and IMF reserve positions.

17. What is Bancassurance ?
Bancassurance stands for distribution of financial products particularly the insurance policies (both the life and non-life), also called referral business, by banks as corporate agents, through their branches located in different parts of the country.

18. What is Money Laundering ?
Money laundering is the processes of concealing the source of obtain money. Money or funds obtained through illegal activities are presented as legitimate.

19. What is the difference between Nationalized bank and Private Bank ?
A Nationalized bank is one that is owned by the government of the country. Since the people decide who the government is, they are also referred to as public sector banks. The government is responsible for the money deposited into the accounts of these banks. Where as a private sector bank is one that is owned by an independent individual or a company that is controlled by a few individuals. In short, the bank is owned by someone else and they run the bank. The person owning/running the bank is responsible for the money deposited into the accounts of these banks.

20. What are non-perfoming assets(NPA)?
A classification used by financial institutions that refer to loans that are in jeopardy of default. Once the borrower has failed to make interest or principal payments for 90 days the loan is considered to be a non-performing asset. Also known as “non-performing loan”.

21. What is the Functions of Reserve Bank of India?
The Reserve Bank of India is the central bank of India, was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Reserve Bank of India was set up on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission. The commission submitted its report in the year 1926, though the bank was not set up for nine years.To regulate the issue of Bank Notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage.” Banker to the Government: performs merchant banking function for the central and the state governments; also acts as their banker.Banker to banks:
maintains banking accounts of all scheduled banks. 29 What is monetary policy?
A Monetary policy is the process by which the government, central bank, of a
country controls
(i) the supply of money,
(ii) availability of money, and
(iii) cost of money or rate of interest, in order to attain a set of objectives
oriented towards the growth and stability of the economy.

22. What is SEZ?
SEZ means Special Economic Zone is the one of the part of government’s policies in India. A special Economic zone is a geographical region that economic laws which are more liberal than the usual economic laws in the country. The basic motto behind this is to increase foreign investment, development of infrastructure, job opportunities and increase the income level of the people.

23. What is SIDBI?
The Small Industries Development Bank of India is a state-run bank aimed to aid the growth and development of micro, small and medium scale industries in India. Set up in 1990 through an act of parliament, it was incorporated initially as a wholly owned subsidiary of Industrial Development Bank of India.

24. What is TREASURY BILLS (TB)?
Treasury bills (T-Bills) are the short term liabilities of the central government .theoretically government of India issued three types of T-bills through auctions, namely 91 days, 182days,and 364 days. There are no treasury bills issued by state government. Minimum amount of T –Bills is Rs. 2500and in multiple of RS. 2500.T-bills are issued at a discount and are redeemed at par from 1st April 1997 treasury bills have been replaced by WAYS AND MEANS ADVANCES .

25. What is COMMERCIAL PAPER (CP)?
commercial paper was introduced by RBI in 1991. It is a short term money market instrument issued in the form of promissory note .Corporate; primary dealers and the all India financial institution are eligible to issue CP. The maturity period of each commercial paper is 7days to 1year from the date of issue .CP can be issued denominations of Rs. 5lakh or multiples thereof. Only a schedule bank can act as an issuing and paying agent (IPA) for issuance of CP.

26. What is CRM?
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) refers to the ability to understand, anticipate and manage the needs of the customer, interaction and relationship resulting in increased profitability through revenue and margin growth and operational efficiencies.

27. What is Right to information(RTI) Act?
The Right to Information act is a law enacted by the Parliament of India giving citizens of India access to records of the Central Government and State overnments.The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir – which is covered under a State-level law. This law was passed by Parliament on 15 June 2005 and came fully into force on 13 October 2005.

28. What is Recession?
A true economic recession can only be confirmed if GDP (Gross Domestic Product)growth is negative for a period of two or more consecutive quarters.

29. What is dematerialisation ?
Dematerialisation(DeMat) is a process by which the paper certificates of an investor are taken back by the company/registrar and actually destroyed and an equivalent number of securities are credited in electronic holdings of that investor.

30. What is Derivative ?
A derivative is a financial contract that derives its value from another financial product/commodity (say spot rate) called underlying (that may be a stock, stock index, a foreign currency, a commodity). Forward contract in foreign exchange transaction, is a simple form of a derivative.

31. What is LAF ?
Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) was introduced by RBI during June, 2000 in phases, to ensure smooth transition and keeping pace with technological upgradation.

32. What is a Repo Rate?
Repo rate is the rate at which our banks borrow rupees from RBI. Whenever the banks have any shortage of funds they can borrow it from RBI. A reduction in the repo rate will help banks to get money at a cheaper rate. When the repo rate increases, borrowing from RBI becomes more expensive.

33. What is Reverse Repo Rate?
This is exact opposite of Repo rate. Reverse Repo rate is the rate at which Reserve Bank of India (RBI) borrows money from banks. RBI uses this tool when it feels there is too much money floating in the banking system. Banks are always happy to lend money to RBI since their money is in safe hands with a good interest. An increase in Reverse repo rate can cause the banks to transfer more funds to RBI due to this attractive interest rates.

34. What is CRR Rate?
Cash reserve Ratio (CRR) is the amount of funds that the banks have to keep with RBI. If RBI decides to increase the percent of this, the available amount with the banks comes down. RBI is using this method (increase of CRR rate), to drain out the excessive money from the banks.

35. What is Bank Rate?
Bank rate, also referred to as the discount rate, is the rate of interest which a central bank charges on the loans and advances that it extends to commercial banks and other financial intermediaries. Changes in the bank rate are often used by central banks to control the money supply.

36. What is PLR?
The Prime Interest Rate is the interest rate charged by banks to their most creditworthy customers (usually the most prominent and stable business customers). The rate is almost always the same amongst major banks. Adjustments to the prime rate are made by banks at the same time; although, the prime rate does not adjust on any regular basis. The Prime Rate is usually adjusted at the same time and in correlation to the adjustments of the Fed Funds Rate. The rates reported below are based upon the prime rates on the first day of each respective month. Some banks use the name “Reference Rate” or “Base Lending Rate” to refer to their Prime Lending Rate.

37. what is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a consensus network that enables a new payment system and a completely digital money. It is the first decentralized peer-to-peer payment network that is powered by its users with no central authority or middlemen. From a user perspective, Bitcoin is pretty much like cash for the Internet. Bitcoin can also be seen as the most prominent triple entry bookkeeping system in existence.

38. What is SLR Rate?
SLR (Statutory Liquidity Ratio) is the amount a commercial bank needs to maintain in the form of cash, or gold or govt. approved securities (Bonds) before providing credit to its customers. SLR rate is determined and maintained by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) in order to control the expansion of bank credit. SLR is determined as the percentage of total demand and percentage of time liabilities. Time Liabilities are the liabilities a commercial bank liable to pay to the customers on their anytime demand. SLR is used to control inflation and propel growth.
Through SLR rate tuning the money supply in the system can be controlled efficiently.

39. What is Deposit Rate?
Interest Rates paid by a depository institution on the cash on deposit.

40. What is Fiscal Policy?
Fiscal policy is the use of government spending and revenue collection to influence the economy. These policies affect tax rates, interest rates and government spending, in an effort to control the economy. Fiscal policy is an additional method to determine public revenue and public expenditure.

41. What is the Banking Ombudsman Scheme?
The Banking Ombudsman Scheme enables an expeditious and inexpensive forum to bank customers for resolution of complaints relating to certain services rendered by banks. The Banking Ombudsman Scheme is introduced under Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 by RBI with effect from 1995.

42. Which are the banks covered under the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006?
All Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Primary Co-operative Banks are covered under the Scheme.

43. What is Inflation?
Inflation is as an increase in the price of bunch of Goods and services that projects the Indian economy. An increase in inflation figures occurs when there is an increase in the average level of prices in Goods and services. Inflation happens when there are fewer Goods and more buyers; this will result in increase in the price of Goods, since there is more demand and less supply of the goods.

44. What is Deflation?
Deflation is the continuous decrease in prices of goods and services. Deflation occurs when the inflation rate becomes negative (below zero) and stays there for a longer period.

45. What is FII?
FII (Foreign Institutional Investor) used to denote an investor, mostly in the form of an institution. An institution established outside India, which proposes to invest in Indian market, in other words buying Indian stocks. FII’s generally buy in large volumes which has an impact on the stock markets. Institutional Investors includes pension funds, mutual funds, Insurance Companies, Banks, etc.

46. What is FDI?
FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) occurs with the purchase of the “physical assets or a significant amount of ownership (stock) of a company in another country in
order to gain a measure of management control” (Or) A foreign company having a
stake in a Indian Company.

47. What is IPO?
IPO is Initial Public Offering. This is the first offering of shares to the general public from a company wishes to list on the stock exchanges.

48. What is GDP?
The Gross Domestic Product or GDP is a measure of all of the services and goods produced in a country over a specific period; classically a year.

49. What is GNP?
Gross National Product is measured as GDP plus income of residents from investments made abroad minus income earned by foreigners in domestic market.

50. What is Revenue deficit?
It defines that, where the net amount received (by taxes & other forms) fails to meet the predicted net amount to be received by the government.

51. Tell me about yourself.
This is the first question you could be asked in
any interview. This may sound simple but if you
are unprepared you could be in big problem. So
just prepare yourself for this simple yet difficult
question Start with one two lines about yourself,
who you are ? a brief 1 line about your family
[ this depends on what kind of interview you are
going through] and lastly why are you the best
suited person for this job. Tell about your
achievements but never sound too proud of your
achievements, highlight yourself but with
decency. Remember the golden rule
“First Impression is the last impression.”

52. What are your greatest strengths?
This question is to judge how you present
yourself, are you the person who talks too much,
are you arrogant or are you the one who just do
what others say and thus never realized your
strengths.
The answer to this question should be linked with
facts and figures if possible. If you had any
previous achievements say you lead a team which
did wonderful and thus you are a team leader and
all. Highlight yourself, tell your strengths but be
sure it is well supported and you just don’t start
sayings just to impress. Remember the HR person
will grill you if he even finds an iota of doubt in
what you are saying. Some points on which you
could support your answer could be – honesty,
leadership, tech savvy, confident, good
communication skills, positive attitude,
motivational and inspirational leader etc.
So just prepare yourself for this question, make
a mental note of all your achievements.

53.What are your greatest weaknesses?
Now this is the question which could either end
your interview or could just get you the job.
Don’t mince with words, at the same time just
don’t be too blunt. Tell your weakness but also
tell what you are doing to over come it. Never
say I can not do this. Instead say, I have never
done this but I am eager to learn and am sure if
our company needs it I will do it.
Note – Never say your company or what would be
my position in your company, use our company.
Some HR people might ask you why you are saying
our before selection then do say – its because I
am confident that I am the best person for this
vacancy.

54. Tell me about something you did – or
failed to do – that you now feel a little ashamed
of.
This question is just to see how you react to
embarrassing situations. Of course you just can
not say “SKIP THIS PLEASE.” So better prepare
yourself. Take your time to reply to this one, at
first say I am really finding it very hard to find
any such situation as I believe the best way to
avoid shame is never do such things.
Most of the interviewers just will proceed to
another question but if he or she insists to
elaborate then give any appropriate reply but be
sure it should not sound that you are so regretful
that it still has a mental impact on you.
Remember
”Life must go on….no matter what”

55.Why are you leaving (or did you
leave) this position?
By asking this question, the interviewer just
wishes to see how much respect you give to your
management, colleagues etc. So never say bad
words about any of your earlier employers or
management. Remember – Never talk bad about
any one even if he or she has been the worst
boss.
There can be two situation –
First is when you already have one job – In this
situation tell truthfully that you see a bright
future or this work profile suits you more than
current one or so. Never say – I am joining you
because you pay more. If you say so, 99%
chances are you would be thrown out of
interview.
Secondly when you are a fresher or you don’t
have any job
If you have been fired, then tell them why you
were fired, what you have learnt from that
incident and what are you doing to make sure
this would never happen again in life. Don’t hide
the facts, companies do check each and every
individual so even if you don’t tell them, they
know it.
If you are a fresher then you just say I am
fresher and you are done with this question.

56. Why should we hire you?
The most commonly asked question but the
question which is most difficult to answer. Before
you enter any interview make sure you have read
about the company, job profile and all. As soon as
this question is asked, start matching your
personality traits with the job requirements.
Show how you are the best suited person for this
job.
For example – If you are going for a job which
involves marketing, then convince the interview
that you have a personality which is best suited
for this job.
The bottom line is – Match yourself with what the
job profile is and thus the interviewer should feel
that you are the best person for the job.

57. Where do you see yourself five years
from now?
This question is usually asked to see how much
ambitious you are and what is your actual reason
for joining the company. If you say I see myself
as one of the richest manager in town – forget
about the job and leave. You need to show that
you are a person with focused aims and you are
willing to work to fulfill your dreams. Don’t be
over ambitious and say I want to be in board of
directors in next 5 years. Of course that is not
possible unless lady luck stays with you 24*7 for
all 5 years.
During an interview I said – I want to see me at
your post and you in top management and believe
me, the interviewer had a very good laugh and
said that was really clever. I don’t suggest you
to say this every time but yes if you feel the
person has a jolly nature you can say so. Or else just say, I want to take every opportunity that comes my way and do lot of hard work to get faster promotions and reach the higher level.

58. Why do you want to work at our
company?
This question is asked to check whether you know
about the company and work profile or it was
just that you got a call from your friend and you
walked in the interview.
So do your homework and check annual reports of
company, browse website or any relevant data.
See the areas where company is growing and
match your skills with it. Show the interviewer
how you could add to the overall profit of
company.

59. What are your hobbies?
This question is asked to judge your personality.
I have seen hundreds of resume which say –
Hobbies – reading books, listening songs,
browsing internet , sleeping.
For god sake don’t copy it from other’s resume
and use it. Write what you actually do. Don’t
write I have a hobby of reading books when you
could not even name 1 book if asked for. Never
be fake, tell them truthfully what you do.
Mention some hobbies which are directly or
indirectly linked with job. But make sure you
have that hobby. If not then say what you
actually do. Different people have different
hobbies, so there is nothing to be ashamed off.

So, these are some of the top questions asked in the interviews for banking sector. We will keep updating this list. So, please bookmark it or like our Facebook page.