Final answer:
A balance sheet reflects a company's financial position, listing assets, liabilities, and equity. In banking, assets include cash and loans, while liabilities encompass customer deposits and debts. Changes in a bank's business plan, like issuing loans, directly affect its balance sheet.
Step-by-step explanation:
A balance sheet is a fundamental accounting tool that represents a company's financial position at a specific point in time, listing all of its assets and liabilities. An asset is something of value that the entity owns, which it can use to produce income or to repay debts, such as cash or real estate. Conversely, a liability represents an obligation or debt that the entity must fulfill, which might include loans or accounts payable. The difference between the total assets and total liabilities is referred to as equity or net worth, also known as bank capital in the context of a financial institution.
A bank's balance sheet operates in a similar way to any other business balance sheet. On the asset side, a bank lists items such as the cash it holds in its vaults, investments, and loans it has provided to customers. Regarding liabilities, typical items include deposits from customers and any debts or other obligations the bank has incurred. The net worth or capital gives an insight into the bank's cushion against losses and its ability to lend.
When a bank changes its business plan, such as issuing a new loan, its balance sheet will reflect these changes. For instance, if a bank grants a significant loan to a customer, its cash reserves will decrease, and the amount listed under loans will increase, while its deposits and overall net worth might stay the same.