The document discusses the history and functions of banks. It notes that banking originated in India in the 18th century with the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India in 1935. The core functions of banks are accepting deposits and granting advances through various accounts and loans. Banks also provide agency functions like fund transfers and cheque collection as well as utility functions such as locker facilities and foreign exchange. The document introduces electronic banking which began in 1994 and allows customers to conduct transactions through ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking, and more.