Which service is commonly offered by retail banks?

• A. Mortgages
• B. Currency exchange
• C. Negotiating bills of exchange
• D. Investment strategies

Answer: (A)

Mortgages are a standard product offered by retail banks because they finance a major household asset—home ownership. They provide long-term, secured loans to individuals, with regular repayments and interest, creating a reliable, ongoing banking relationship. Banks earn interest and fees from these loans, and because buying a home is such a common financial milestone, mortgages are a central service in consumer banking.

While currency exchange is sometimes available in branches, it isn’t as central to everyday banking as home finance. Negotiating bills of exchange is typically a corporate or trade-finance activity rather than a retail service. Investment strategies belong more to wealth management or private banking rather than standard consumer banking.