What you mean by bank

"Banking institutions" redirects here. For banks as financial institutions, see Bank. The oldest financial institution in the world, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, founded in 1472. Financial institutions, otherwise known as banking institutions, are corporations that provide services as intermediaries of financial markets. Broadly speaking, there are three major types of financial institutions:[1][2] Depository institutions – deposit-taking institutions that accept and manage deposits and make loans, including banks, building societies, credit unions, trust companies, and mortgage loan companies; Contractual institutions – insurance companies and pension funds Investment institutions – investment banks, underwriters, brokerage firms. Financial institutions can be distinguished broadly into two categories according to ownership structure: Commercial Banks Cooperative Banks Some experts see a trend toward homogenisation of financial institutions, meaning a tendency to invest in similar areas and have similar business strategies. A consequence of this might be fewer banks serving specific target groups, and small-scale producers may be under-served.[3]