Banking is a multidisciplinary field of study within economics, finance, and management that investigates the structure, operations, regulation, and economic impact of financial institutions, primarily banks. It examines the processes of deposit-taking, lending, payment systems, financial intermediation, risk management (such as credit, market, and operational risk), and the interaction of these institutions with monetary policy and the broader financial system, highlighting their crucial role in capital allocation, economic growth, and financial stability.