Updated for 2026 Syllabus Detailed Explanations High-Yield Core Concepts

Bank Promotion Exam Guide

Banking Awareness | Banking Knowledge | for all Bank Exams

Module: General Practice

Q145: From a Banker's perspective, "Cluster-based Lending" involves specific risks and mitigation strategies. Consider the following statements:

Contagion Risk: A downturn in the specific industry sector affects all borrowers in the cluster simultaneously.




Peer Pressure: The close social network within a cluster acts as a moral hazard, increasing willful defaults.




Appraisal Efficiency: Bankers can develop a single "Master Appraisal" template for the entire cluster, reducing processing time.





Which statements are correct?
A
1 and 2 only
B
1 and 3 only
C
2 and 3 only
D
1, 2, and 3
✅ Correct Answer: B
Banker's Analysis:
Statement 1 (True - The Risk): This is "Concentration Risk" or "Contagion Risk." If the cluster is a "Leather Cluster" and the leather industry faces a ban or recession, the entire portfolio suffers.
Statement 2 (False - The Mitigation): The close social network actually reduces willful defaults.
This is called "Social Collateral." Peer pressure ensures members repay to maintain their reputation in the tight-knit community.
Statement 3 (True - The Benefit): Banks save huge costs by understanding the business model once and applying it to hundreds of units (Template lending), drastically cutting "Transaction Costs."