Bank Ledger

Definition ∞ A bank ledger is a comprehensive record-keeping system used by financial institutions to document all financial transactions. This traditional accounting system meticulously tracks deposits, withdrawals, loans, and other monetary movements for clients and the bank itself. It serves as the authoritative source for account balances and transactional history, underpinning the entire financial infrastructure. Unlike decentralized ledgers, bank ledgers are centrally controlled and maintained by the institution.
Context ∞ The concept of a bank ledger provides a fundamental contrast when discussing decentralized digital assets. News often compares the centralized nature of bank ledgers with the distributed characteristics of blockchain technology. Regulatory discussions frequently address how traditional bank ledger operations might interface with or be influenced by the rise of digital currencies and decentralized finance. The future may see hybrid models that combine aspects of both systems.