All articles by Dan Jones
Dan Jones
BNP Paribas unveils strategic goals
Frances BNP Paribas looks set to emerge as a winner from the financial crisis after its acquisition of Fortis Bank enhanced its global reach Now, the bank has revealed strategic goals for its retail operations in the coming years, as it seeks to build on its status as the eurozones biggest bank by deposits
Lloyds launches new loyalty scheme
Lloyds Banking Group has rolled out an upgraded customer loyalty programme as it looks to meet competitors head-on in the drive for UK current accounts The bank believes it will continue to be a frontrunner in what could be a significant year of change for the countrys retail banking market
Talking point: Strategy updates from senior bankers
While 2009 was a difficult year for much of the retail banking industry, prospects for 2010 are, if anything, even more uncertain RBI spoke to a selection of leading retail bankers from across the globe to discuss their strategies and forecasts for the year ahead
Top M&A deals of 2009: Dealing with a new reality
Set against a backdrop of watchfulness and, at best, cautious optimism, banking M&A in 2009 was characterised by lower asset values and government bailouts and while the number of deals remained surprisingly consistent, the total value of those deals dropped sharply In a year in which many banks concentrated on rebuilding their own fragile businesses rather than looking to acquire others, it is perhaps surprising that the number of financial services mergers and acquisitions in 2009 (4,641 as of the second week of December) is on course to match 2008s total (4,662), according to exclusive data from Thomson Reuters.
Nordea looks to transform its Russian subsidiary
Swedens Nordea is already a retail banking market leader in Scandinavia and the Baltics, and now the bank is looking to transform its Russian outfit into a true retail bank via a branch transformation programme and a push on mortgages In November 2006, Scandinavian market leader Nordea purchased 75 percent of Orgresbank, a small Russian bank largely focused on the corporate sector, and in June 2009 the business was rebranded under the Nordea name, the Scandinavian institution by then owning 100 percent of the Russian entity.
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Norway sharpens its cutting edge
The march towards banking service automation is continuing apace in Norway, where an estimated four out of five adults now use BankID electronic signatures to purchase products and services from their financial institutions Dan Jones spoke to two early pioneers, DnB NOR and BN Bank, about their latest innovations. In what is fast becoming one of the most innovative retail banking markets in the world, Norwegian banks are continuing to roll out simple, efficient and user-friendly customer processes based on the innovative BankID electronic signature system
Looking for opportunities in the GCC
An RBI round table held in Bahrain in October saw senior bankers and other financial services industry figures from across the Middle East region come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of a market which continues to witness an expansion in retail banking capabilities
All change in the UK
Over 10 percent of the retail banking market branch network in the UK is available to buy as Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland pay the price for accepting state aid during the height of the economic crisis in late 2008
Live and Direct
An inventive new marketing campaign from HSBCs UK direct banking subsidiary First Direct is displaying customer comments both good and bad on a website designed to showcase the companys commitment to customer service The new Live campaign from UK direct bank First Direct has put a bold spin on its customer service proposition by collating comments from across the internet to see what its customers are saying about it
The price war continues
Dan Jones speaks with Lisa Gray, the group executive for NAB personal banking, about further charges simplification.When Cameron Clyne took the reigns as CEO of National Australia Bank (NAB) in early 2009, he brought with him a bold promise to revamp the banks consumer-facing businesses, and the extent to which the bank is intent on delivering on that promise is now becoming clear.