Credit cards are issued by banks. They are essentially just a loan at an extremely high interest rate. They are somewhat similar to unsecured or 'signature' loans at a bank.

It is an agreement between banks and borrowers where banks make loans to borrowers. By extending credit, a bank essentially trusts borrowers to repay the principal balance as well as interest at a later date.

You could exchange them until 2007 at Dutch banks and post offices. They are now essentially worthless.

Cooperative banks are governed by the provisions of State Cooperative Societies Act and meant essentially for providing cheap credit to their members. it is an important source of rural credit in India.

Bank holding companies are essentially corporations whose assets are comprised of controlling shares of stock in one or more banks.