Related Content: MGT604 - VU Lectures, Handouts, PPT Slides, Assignments, Quizzes, Papers & Books of Management of Financial Institutions
A bank raises funds by attracting deposits, borrowing money in the inter-bank market, or issuing financial instruments in the money market or a capital market. The bank then lends out most of these funds to borrowers. However, it would not be prudent for a bank to lend out all of its balance sheet. It must keep a certain proportion of its funds in reserve so that it can repay depositors who withdraw their deposits.
Bank reserves are typically kept in the form of a deposit with a central bank. This is called fractional-reserve banking and it is a central issue of monetary policy.
Note that under Basel I (and the new round of Basel II), banks no longer keep deposits with central banks, but must maintain defined capital ratios
Worldwide assets of the largest 1,000 banks grew 15.5% in 2005 to reach a record $60.5 trillion. This follows a 19.3% increase in the previous year. EU banks held the largest share, 50% at the end of 2005, up from 38% a decade earlier.
The growth in Europe’s share was mostly at the expense of Japanese banks whose share more than halved during this period from 33% to 13%. The share of US banks also rose, from 10% to 14%. Most of the remainder was from other Asian and European countries.
The US had by far the most banks (7,540 at end-2005) and branches (75,000) in the world. The large number of banks in the US is an indicator of its geography and regulatory structure, resulting in a large number of small to medium sized institutions in its banking system.
Japan had 129 banks and 12,000 branches. In 2004, Germany, France, and Italy had more than 30,000 branches each—more than double the 15,000 branches in the UK.
The changing economic environment has a significant impact on banks and thrifts as they struggle to effectively manage their interest rate spread in the face of low rates on loans, rate competition for deposits and the general market changes, industry trends and economic fluctuations.
It has been a challenge for banks to effectively set their growth strategies with the recent economic market. A rising interest rate environment may seem to help financial institutions, but the effect of the changes on consumers and businesses is not predictable and the challenge remains for banks to grow and effectively manage the spread to generate a return to their shareholders.
The management of the banks’ asset portfolios also remains a challenge in today’s
economic environment. Loans are a bank’s primary asset category and when loan quality
becomes suspect, the foundation of a bank is shaken to the core. While always an issue for
banks, declining asset quality has become a big problem for financial institutions. There are
several reasons for this, one of which is the lax attitude some banks have adopted because of
the years of “good times.” The potential for this is exacerbated by the reduction in the
regulatory oversight of banks and in some cases depth of management. Problems are more
likely to go undetected, resulting in a significant impact on the bank when they are
recognized. In addition, banks, like any business, struggle to cut costs and have
consequently eliminated certain expenses, such as adequate employee training programs.
Banks also face a host of other challenges such as aging ownership groups. Across the
country, many banks’ management teams and board of directors are aging. Banks also face
ongoing pressure by shareholders, both public and private, to achieve earnings and growth
projections. Regulators place added pressure on banks to manage the various categories of
risk. Banking is also an extremely competitive industry.
Competing in the financial services industry has become tougher with the entrance of such
players as insurance agencies, credit unions, check cashing services, credit card companies,
etc. Bank regulations are a form of government regulation which subject banks to certain
requirements, restrictions, and guidelines, aiming to uphold the soundness and integrity of
the financial system. The combination of the instability of banks as well as their important
facilitating role in the economy led to banking being thoroughly regulated.
The amount of capital a bank is required to hold is a function of the amount and quality of its assets. Major Banks are subject to the Basel Capital Accord promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements.
In addition, banks are usually required to purchase deposit insurance to make sure smaller investors are not wiped out in the event of a bank failure. Another reason banks are thoroughly regulated is that ultimately, no government can allow the banking system to fail.