The Future of Retail Banking in Europe : A View From the Top

Within Europe, the banking sector is commencing a period of considerable change and consolidation. Advances in technology, competition from the non-banking sector, the introduction of the Euro, a European Central bank and, possibly, pan-European Regulation, combined with the challenge from US banks, increased mergers and changing practices means 21st century banking is changing immeasurably. The Future of Retail Banking in Europe is written in an accessible style by Oonagh McDonald and Kevin Keasey, two of the leading authorities in the field and includes: In-depth analysis of the banking structures in all the major European markets. Foreword by Guy Warren, Head of Banking, Europe, Unisys Corporation Unique insights into the industry from the CEOs of major European banks. The challenges being faced in the industry and predictions into what the future holds for retail banking in Europe. This book will be essential reading for middle and senior managers in the banking and financial service sectors, both suppliers and investors in the banking sector, and MBA students. The Future of Retail Banking in Europe......Page 3 Contents......Page 7 Foreword by Guy Warren......Page 11 Preface......Page 13 Acknowledgements......Page 15 1 Setting the scene......Page 17 Banks, money and the payments system......Page 18 Banks as intermediaries......Page 20 The role of a bank......Page 22 The threat from non-banks and near-banks......Page 23 Are credit cards a threat to banks?......Page 30 E-banking: competition from non-banks and near-banks......Page 32 Conclusions......Page 33 The squeeze on bank interest income......Page 36 Developments in capital markets......Page 40 Decline in corporate bank lending......Page 46 The euro and the customer......Page 47 Some conclusions......Page 48 New accounting standards......Page 49 Developments in corporate governance......Page 50 4 France: seven slices of the cake......Page 62 The banking system......Page 63 Government-sponsored savings......Page 67 Banking strategies......Page 69 Conclusion......Page 73 5 Germany: a level playing field......Page 75 The cooperative banks......Page 76 The Sparkassen......Page 77 The EC judgements......Page 78 The impact of the EC......Page 81 The impact of tax reforms......Page 83 Retail banking strategy......Page 85 Developments in the 1990s......Page 91 Banking strategies......Page 99 Early deregulation......Page 105 Two main categories of bank......Page 106 Banking strategies......Page 116 The banking crisis......Page 122 Banking strategies......Page 128 The major banks......Page 133 Room for manoeuvre......Page 136 Banking strategies......Page 137 The banking system......Page 141 Mergers and acquisitions......Page 142 The current state of banking......Page 144 Banking strategies......Page 149 Appendix: the demutualisation of UK building societies......Page 155 The technology process and innovation......Page 158 Banking customers and the dynamics of change......Page 162 Technological developments......Page 165 Implementation issues......Page 170 Conclusions......Page 172 12 Who will jump first?......Page 173 Aiming at growth......Page 174 Growth through M&A......Page 175 The role of the European Commission......Page 180 Should they merge?......Page 182 Appendix......Page 189 Index......Page 203 The good news is that this tome provides tremendous detail about its subject matter, retail banking in Europe. The bad news is that you have to really want to know a lot about this specific subject to penetrate its lack of organization and awkward writing style. The information is abundant, particularly about the past, although the book doesn't include insight about the future. European banking is full of threats, opportunities, reversals and challenges. It is subject to revolutionary reshaping by major political and economic events. Popular books don't tend to get written about such esoteric subjects unless they are post-mortems on disasters. Given that, getAbstract.com thinks this academic if thorough entry may be indispensable to people with a real need to know about the subject Foreword / Guy Warren -- 1. Setting The Scene -- 2. The Challenges -- 3. Transparency And Accountability -- 4. France: Seven Slices Of The Cake -- 5. Germany: A Level Playing Field -- 6. Italy: Fast-track Banking -- 7. Spain: Off To A Flying Start -- 8. Scandinavia: A Silver Lining -- 9. Netherlands: An Early Consolidator -- 10. Uk: Another Early Consolidator -- 11. Looking To The Future -- 12. Who Will Jump First? Oonagh Mcdonald And Kevin Keasey. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Advances in technology, competitive challenges from US banks, and the new centralized European economy mean big changes for European banks. Those that survive will be the ones that adapt quickest. This title addresses these concerns in a series of interviews with CEOs from Europe's major banks. They discuss current and future strategy and best practices for the changing world of banking The purpose of this book is to explain the changing role of banks, sometimes through the mouths of senior executives in the industry.