Transcript Presented by: Dr. Peter Larose

Presented by: Dr. Peter Larose
Focus of the Presentation
1. Role of Financial Intermediation in Different Phases of the Business Cycles
2. New Internal Rules on Corporate Governance
3. Front-Office Commercial Strategies
4. Information Technology Revolution
5. Tightening of New Prudential Norms
6. Strengthening Skills and Intellectual Capital
7. Dealing with Greater Uncertainty in the Credit Market
8. More Emphasis on Risk Management
9. Strategies Needed in the New Banking Environment
10. Prevention of Banking Crisis
Changing Landscape In Banking
The face of financial services sector, as we are all aware is changing
very rapidly.
Many industrial nations including the emerging markets in South East
Asia are focusing on the 21st Century banking in terms of financial
conglomerates, whereby “one-stop financial services boutique” is
becoming the norm.
Pressure to compete within the bank’s incorporated jurisdiction is
also increasing rapidly by the days.
Cross-border transactions are also being increased with new products
on offer in relation to the multitude of business risks.
As a results banks and other provider of financial services are having to
prepare for changes in the international regulatory framework.
Role of Financial Intermediation in Different Phases o the
Business Cycles
It is understood by most players in the financial services sector
perceived that banks no longer operate as the principal mobilizer of
funds for organic growth.
The new paradigm shift is about “ efficiency in the financial
intermediation activities” .
The business cycles are now considered a very important factor in
the bank’s forward planning process.
With these economic development and strategies being considered
Many well established banks are now having to consider
administrative reforms in order to accommodate the changes.
New Internal Rules on Corporate Governance
The Enron, Worldcom and Tyco type of corporate collapses has
created a condition, whereby the Board of Directors responsibilities
are now more pronounced that previously in place.
The new rules states that there should be a separation of power
between the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO).
The need for independent directors has arisen because of the
potential divergence of interests between the providers of capital, i.e.
shareholders, and management.
The directors of a Board must be qualified in their respective field
of specialization so that they can bring a blend of collective
knowledge to run the business with prudence.
Front-Office Commercial Strategies
There is no longer the “job for life” for banks’ employees. Most banks require that
their employees can create a good image vis-à-vis the customers in a cordial and
customer-relationship management.
Front-Office employees are trained to create the “first-hand impression” for the
customers to use the banks’ services more frequently and economically.
Many improvement are being made in the manner that the banks recruit their
employees to have a long-lasting impression on the customers’ minds.
Customer-relationship is now the motto of all banks to achieve without having to
sacrifice the standard of services and its prices.
The new work culture is to deal with employees as groups or teams of people,
who can use their targets as benchmarks in evaluating their performance.
Modern Labour Force
The need for productivity and efficiency will create new sources
labor and work practices.
The new labour force will have to follow the modern setting of a
customer-demand environment that they are the “boss”.
It is expected that there will also be intense competition to attract
and retain professional in all fields so as to satisfy the clientele’s
profile.
Training costs are expected to increase progressive with the level of
revenue that the banks generate.
The cost of gathering marketing intelligence will also increase
correspondingly with the level business activities.
More emphasis will be placed on marketing & selling skills.
Information Technology Revolution
Since the 1990s, the banking systems worldwide has witnessed a rapid transformation.
Information Technology is considered as one of the “key drivers” in a bank’s operations.
There has been a spate of merger, and acquisition transactions due mainly to the link
of information technology.
A new style of management also emerged as a result of the advancement in new
technology – manage by wire.
This development has caused the individual management to channel their resources
on the “universal banking” concept.
While the consolidation process has brought about new opportunities, there has also
been some identifiable risks with the rapid development in I.T (e.g. concentration risk
and security aspects).
The general trend that emerged from the I.T. revolution is the combination of nonbanking activities (e.g. insurance, pension, investment banking, mortgage finance,
and financial securitization) with the hope that there will be internal synergies and
economies of scale.
There is also the global consideration, where non-banking activities can be conducted
at the subsidiaries level.
Technology Issue
The key driver of all this change will be technology that supports
efficient, accurate decision making and greater operational
flexibility and efficiency.
The speed in the performance of transactions will be the main
issue between success or failure.
Customers are now more educated and sophisticated in their
demands for services.
The successful banks will be those who can track and analyze
specific customer needs at all level.
As more sophisticated information technology is required, banks
will have ton consider their investment well in advance in their
financial planning.
Tightening of New Prudential Norms
Banks are having to prepare for the new Basel Accord II, which accentuates on the
following considerations:
(a) Minimum Capital Requirement
(b) Supervisory Review, and
(c) Market Discipline.
The primary focus of the new Capital Adequacy Accord is based on improving the
measurement of risk in all its dimension.
The process of measurement of market risk is to be maintained.
There will be 3 alternatives for a start on how to calculate Credit Risk:
(i) Standardized Approach (SA) – this approach employs by less complex banks
(as 1988 Accord) it expands the scale of the risk weights and also uses external
rating agencies (e.g. S&P, Moodys’, Fitch, Capital Intelligence etc).
(ii) Banks with more advanced risk management structure can also employ an
internal ratings based on (IRB) methodology – (foundation & advanced).
(iii) Basic Indicator Approach (BIA) -
Strengthening Skills and Intellectual Capital
The new banking era in the 21st Century place a heavy demand on how the bank’s
management utilize its human resources skills for greater efficiency.
Factors such as: knowledge of the products/laws/customers/economic environment,
general service attitudes to identify the customers’ needs, and the selling skills to
deal with existing and potential customers are all important factors in the survival
in a dynamic market.
Banks no longer rely on the quantity of its labour force to show the sign of being
powerful institutions, but on the quality of its employees to convince the customers.
Management’s focus in the integration of its skillful human capital in a holistic
manner with other departments in a professional way.
Most of the qualities demanded in the banking sector are: added value, creativity,
manage changes, flexibility and team work.
Management are now emphasizing on performance management, competencies,
and a forward-looking approach by all employees in the bank’s hierarchy.
Dealing with Greater Uncertainty in the Credit Market
The credit market can be subject to a multitude of factors that may create
uncertainty for the banks:
(a) Inflation,
(b) Adverse Movement in Interest rates
(c) Adverse Movement in Exchange rate
(d) Change in the Gross Domestic Products (GDP)
(e) New Investments
(f) Change in Customers’ Attitudes & Expectations
(g) Intensity of Competition
(h) Change in Government Policy
More Emphasis on Risk Management
Risk management is an important aspect of all our daily lives.
We are all exposed to risk daily, as soon as we open our eyes in the
morning and sometimes even in our deep sleep.
It is our utmost duty as an individual that we make provision in our lives
to identify the risks, make an evaluation, quantify them, insure or shift the
risks unto another party, if we cannot deal with them.
More emphasis is placed on banks to manage their risks more prudently
so that the banking system is not place at risk.
Any regulatory agency in the world would ensure that there is always a
safe and sound banking system at all times.
Otherwise, the public money may be used to “bail out” distressed banks
and there will be a lost of confidence in the banking system.
No jurisdiction can afford to deal with a banking crisis.
More Emphasis on Risk Management
continues
What is the relationship between effective enterprise risk
management and improved financial reporting and transparency?
There are natural linkages between enterprise risk
management, improved financial reporting and
transparency.
The new Framework requires that organizations
establish a risk appetite, measure actions and decisions
against that risk appetite and communicate results.
Communication of enterprise risk management to users
of financial information clearly enhances transparency.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 is quite specific on this issue
Conglomerate Style
Commercial Banking
Investment Banking
Other Commercial Activities in Subsidiaries
Professional Services
Taxation Planning
Accounting
Pension Fund Management
Investment Management Advice
Financial Planning
Real Estate Management Advice
Travel Agency
Insurance Company
Retail/Supermarket
I.T. Companies
Others
Conglomerate Approach
Banks are no longer content to remain with its core business, they are more
eager to develop a “conglomerate business style” that is, a “one-stop financial
services boutique”.
It means that the customers’ profile are used more productively to cross-sell other
subsidiary services, such as: insurance, pension fund, financial planning, taxation
advice, corporate restructuring, investment banking faculties, invoice discounting,
travel facilities, and a host of other services to meet the customers’ needs.
While there are business opportunities to deal in such a corporate manner, there are
equally a certain degree of risks as well. In the event that one of the subsidiaries
failed then how is the regulatory going to deal with the parent company.
This issue has been the concerns of most regulatory authorities – that is, which part of
business that should be closed in the event of a financial problem, and then, should
the shareholders of the parent company absorb the loss of the subsidiaries and to
what extent?
This issue also involved cross-border operations, where a bank has foreign subsidiaries
Transparent Regulations
Banks will be required to comply with more stringent and
transparent regulations that must be enforced internationally.
The key to such a development (e.g. Basel II) will force the
banks to be more accountable in the adoption of an
integrated risk management infrastructure.
Business continuity planning is a tool that cannot be shelved
as an administrative document only.
New Corporate Strategies Needed
(a) New target market
(b) Employment options (if needed)
(c) Improve Infrastructure
(d) New Approach to Business Style
(e) Pro-active Management
New Target Market
Banks must be able to identify business areas and mount
Strategies to win the new market.
Banks must also do their best to maximize operational
efficiency.
Where possible they should endeavour to enter into strategic
Alliances with the identifiable partners that will provide a
“win-win” result.
The economic cost of this strategy must be adequately studied
with a lot of prudence, bearing in mind, the risk factors.
Employment Options
Financial services players will need to integrate into their operational
structures low-cost, highly flexible employment options.
For example, some jobs may be more cost-effective if they are processed
outside the main corporate offices.
Management must integrate the workforce in a holistic manner with all
the rest of the operating system so that economies of scale and greater
profitability is achieved.
Employees should feel that they are placed at the centre of development
rather than considered as one of the resources.
Performance-related pay will be the mode of the employment contract,
whereby the employees are expected to deliver on all the set targets.
Improvement in Infrastructure
NO bank can be complacent when it comes to investment in new or
improved infrastructure.
The infrastructure can be considered in the light of:
New office space,
technology,
communication system, and
employees.
There will be more demands on the Board of Directors in terms of
collective responsibility to ensure that they follow evolving development
in all areas of the banks’ business.
A Board of Directors that failed to act responsibly will not survive the
intense competition.
New Approach to Business Style
Since customers want more out of their banks, the management must
pay greater attention to the customers’ needs in a cost-effective manner.
More information should be made available whereby the customers can
get easy access in order to increase the level of their transactions.
The new business paradigm is for the management to visit the customers
regularly with the view to strengthen the banker-customer relationship.
Pro-active Management
Customers expect the banks to involve them in their forward planning process
so that they can make their contribution.
Bank Managers must be ready to keep in touch with the customers at all times
so as to identify their needs under one roof – that is, “one-stop financial services
boutique”.
The role of advocacy must be more pronounced with the evolving complexity
of the financial market and the business cycles.
New products/services must be timely released on the market.
It will be a matter of becoming more innovative with changes in the market.
Main Causes of A Banking Crisis
Non-Performing Loans & Bad Loans
Inadequate Market Discipline (captured by Basel II)
Unsustainable Macro-economic Policies
Poor Regulatory & Supervisory Framework
Poor or Reckless Management
Prevention of Banking Crisis
As competition intensify for banks to maximize the returns on their investments
there will be opportunities for banks to take on new businesses without paying
much attention to the risk aspects.
As the risk level increase, the chance of a banking crisis emerging can also be
apparent, if the Regulatory Agency does not spot the danger in good time.
Even with Basel II, a less prudent management can conceal the risks by using
different accounting methods to suit the bank.
The past banking crises must be used as lessons to be learnt.
Will the regulators have learnt enough experience from such crises?
(See; Next Slide for more information).
A Research Analysis on Banking Crisis
Prof. George G. Kaufman made the following statement as part of his
Concluding remark in a paper entitled “ Preventing Banking Crises in the
Future – Lessons from Past Mistakes”. Page 55 -77
This article was originally prepared for presentation at the annual meeting of
the Japanese Society of Monetary Economics in Tokyo on 25 May 1996.
Volume II, No.1, 1997.
Developed countries generally have better capitalized banking systems and
the financial resources, although not always the political will, to recapitalize
individual insolvent banks, which are too often state-owned institutions. They
also have a highly educated and sophisticated labor force from which to attract
bank regulators and supervisors. Thus, they possess the most important
prerequisites for the successful implementation of this reform.
Less-developed countries are likely to have more poorly capitalized, often
insolvent, banking systems; to encounter more serious constraints in
recapitalizing them; and to have fewer educated and trained bankers and
examiners. These conditions make these reforms more difficult,
but not impractical nor unimportant, to implement in these countries.
Non-Performing & Bad Loans
One of the dangers that a number of banks face is the amount of
non-performing or bad loans in their portfolio of assets.
Normally, bad loans arises from poor lending practices, excessive
risk taking, poor governance, weak risk management, lack of internal
controls, focus on market share rather than profitability, and asset
liability mis-match.
In fact, under the Basel II Accord, there will be more capital that must be
provided by banks to cover their credit risk from various asset exposures.
Management will be more restricted from taking excessive risk, unless at
a huge cost to the shareholders.
Inadequate Market Discipline
Stefan Ingves of the IMF Monetary and Exchange Affairs Department quoted”
“If bank creditors have limited information on a bank's financial
condition, they cannot exert discipline on the shareholders, due to
opaque system.
This is typically the result of poor transparency and disclosure, poor
accounting and auditing practices, especially due to the lack of proper
loan and collateral valuation methods and consolidation, which allow
overstatement of capital adequacy.
Market forces are further impeded by weak frameworks for dealing
with problem banks, including weak legal, judicial and institutional
frameworks for dealing with failing banks and companies.
Expectations of depositor and creditor bailouts may overpower any
policy to the contrary”.
Unsustainable Macro-economic Policies
Unreliable macro-economic policies made by a Government can have a
devastating effect on the banking system especially for the credit market.
With changes in the business cycles, the lending booms can easily puncture
the loan portfolio.
Changes in the interest rates can also affect the bank’s operations if they
are highly exposed without a hedging strategy.
Poor Regulatory & Supervisory System
Failure of the regulatory agency supervising the banks not to follow:
concentration risk,
weak loan valuation,
capital charge against the loan portfolio,
asset-liability mis-match, and
reckless management
Supervision may also lack authority, and have an insufficient number
or professional employees that may be poorly motivated and
compensated.
Poor or Reckless Management
Shareholders cannot afford to employ reckless management for the sake of
concentrating mainly on profits as the “principal business motive”.
reckless management are most likely to cost:
shareholders investment,
the banking reputation,
the taxpayers’ money (if there is a rescue), and
perhaps, the entire banking sector (e.g. systemic risk).
It is absolutely crucial that the Board of Directors together with the assistance
of the Regulatory Agency to hire a management team with the highest
integrity.
This issue is a being addressed under the “operational risk” aspect under
Basel II.
Post-Enron Episode Around the World
In USA, the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Corporate Accountability
& Listing Standards Committee submitted a report to the NYSE’s Board of
Directors on 6 June 2002.
The report makes recommendations to amend the NYSE’s listing standards
withthe goal of enhancing the accountability, integrity and transparency of
the NYSE’s listed companies and was accepted by NYSE Board of Directors
on 1 August 2002.
In UK, Mr Derek Higgs has been asked to lead an independent review of the
role and effectiveness of non-executive directors. In Mr Higgs’ consultation
paper dated 7 June 2002.
Singapore has amended its Companies Act to establish a Council on
Disclosure and Corporate Governance that will be an independent body
overseeing corporate governance rules and accounting standards.
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