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Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

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Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD<br />

a bank. That is for now; I don’t care about <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest rate and m<strong>in</strong>imum deposits. Ma: I will also say<br />

accessibility. That is <strong>the</strong> first th<strong>in</strong>g because I am on campus and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> bank is just close to me. I just<br />

walk <strong>the</strong>re and do what I have to do... yeah, that is <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> th<strong>in</strong>g. Fr: I chose IBG because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

m<strong>in</strong>imum balance which I th<strong>in</strong>k is GH¢ 5 or so. I th<strong>in</strong>k it’s good for someone who also wants to start<br />

sav<strong>in</strong>g. They should design <strong>the</strong> sav<strong>in</strong>gs account to be like an <strong>in</strong>vestment account so that <strong>the</strong> return you get<br />

on your sav<strong>in</strong>gs will be more. Ab: For me what I want <strong>in</strong> a bank is a bank that can give me what I want...<br />

for <strong>in</strong>stance, if I need a loan, it should not take time. As a student, I need money to do someth<strong>in</strong>g small.<br />

There are varieties <strong>of</strong> reasons for choos<strong>in</strong>g a bank depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>in</strong>dividual’s peculiar needs. These<br />

<strong>in</strong>clude: customer service, accessibility (convenience), prompt feedback, company choice, <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />

presence, m<strong>in</strong>imum balance, and bank support. On <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important factors respondents<br />

consider (<strong>in</strong> order <strong>of</strong> priority) <strong>in</strong> select<strong>in</strong>g a bank, here are some issues:<br />

K: For me, I consider <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g: convenience, customer service and <strong>the</strong> attractiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bank. I<br />

want to be treated like a k k<strong>in</strong>g. Ha: I consider convenience, customer service and flexibility. Li: for me,<br />

prompt service and feedback. Sa: Flexibility is key. Ag: I consider bank rate. Customer service is also<br />

very important to me. Fa: Convenience and when I need help, I expect <strong>the</strong>m to help. Ma: Good customer<br />

service. Ab: The speed... when you go <strong>the</strong>re you don’t keep long. I will add accessibility. Fr: M<strong>in</strong>e is<br />

quite funny... <strong>the</strong> layout, <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice... when I enter how spacious <strong>the</strong> bank<strong>in</strong>g hall is. Sa: I will say brand<br />

name, accessibility, easy processes. Ma: Me I consider security, accessibility, and speed. Ab: For me, I<br />

will consider image <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bank, branch network, and speed. Fr: For me, I will consider customer service<br />

first, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terest rate earned on sav<strong>in</strong>gs and also <strong>the</strong> prestige <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bank.<br />

The three most important criteria factor affect<strong>in</strong>g undergraduates’ bank selection decisions are<br />

convenience, customer service and speed <strong>of</strong> service. They are followed by image and attractiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

bank and high <strong>in</strong>terest rate on sav<strong>in</strong>gs. On <strong>the</strong> question <strong>of</strong> whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>ir respective banks are <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

first, respondents had this to say: H: Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> (huge m<strong>in</strong>imum) bank balance, I moved to save<br />

with ADB but <strong>the</strong>n, aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> later was rude. I moved to Ecobank partially because <strong>the</strong>y had a particular<br />

service that I wanted. Besides, <strong>the</strong> bank is close to me. Se: Funny enough, I have a number <strong>of</strong> accounts, I<br />

started with GCB. I left because I felt <strong>the</strong>y were old fashioned. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> time however, I changed banks<br />

because my company changed banks. Os: I was paid through <strong>the</strong> bank <strong>the</strong>refore I had to use <strong>the</strong> bank<br />

that <strong>the</strong> company used. When I stopped work, I changed <strong>the</strong> bank to <strong>the</strong> one very close to me. Fr: I ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />

added one. Ma: I had one but <strong>the</strong>n I added ano<strong>the</strong>r one and that is <strong>the</strong> active one.<br />

F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs show that when students are dissatisfied with a particular bank, <strong>the</strong>y do not necessarily close <strong>the</strong><br />

account. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>y keep <strong>the</strong> account dormant and open a new account with ano<strong>the</strong>r bank which <strong>the</strong>y<br />

keep more active. On whe<strong>the</strong>r or not <strong>the</strong>y would change banks on completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir education,<br />

here are some sampled op<strong>in</strong>ions:<br />

Se: I wouldn’t change. I will keep <strong>the</strong>m open and still open more. Fa: I will like to try o<strong>the</strong>r banks. Li:<br />

No, I will not change. K: I will change when I f<strong>in</strong>ish school. Ha: I will change when I start work<strong>in</strong>g. Ab:<br />

I will not change... may be add<strong>in</strong>g up. Fr: I wouldn’t change... maybe I will add more. Ma: I’m not sure<br />

because <strong>the</strong>y cheated me. May be I will add.<br />

The responses confirm <strong>the</strong> fact that students would not close <strong>the</strong>ir old bank accounts but ra<strong>the</strong>r add to it<br />

when <strong>the</strong>y become ga<strong>in</strong>fully employed. It also po<strong>in</strong>ts to <strong>the</strong> fact that banks should focus more on<br />

customer share and not market share that is, how active <strong>the</strong> account is and not merely keep<strong>in</strong>g an account.<br />

It is also pert<strong>in</strong>ent to note that students <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> lower levels are more emphatic <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir responses that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

would not change banks whilst <strong>the</strong>ir colleagues <strong>in</strong> upper levels th<strong>in</strong>k o<strong>the</strong>rwise. It is reasonable to<br />

conclude that expectations and perceptions <strong>of</strong> students change <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir assessment <strong>of</strong> banks <strong>in</strong> Ghana.<br />

Banks must <strong>the</strong>refore cont<strong>in</strong>ually monitor <strong>the</strong> expectations and perception variables so as to build a longterm<br />

relationship with <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

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