No / Several studies have shown that financial inclusion impacts poverty and income inequality and higher levels of financial inclusion lead to lower poverty and income inequality and promotes inclusive economic growth. However, the gender gap in access and usage of financial services remains pervasive across all the countries in South Asia. Patriarchal societies, low involvement of women in decision making, low empowerment of women, no voice in the family matters are some of the factors influencing women’s financial access in the region. Although literature has developed on access to financial services in general, there is not much academic work available on access to digital financial services for women. Gender Bias and Digital Financial Services in South Asia: Obstacles and Opportunities on the Road to Equal Access examines access to financial services to women in general in South Asia and specifically their access to digital financial services.

by Yeung Oi Yung, Betty, Lee Wing Kin. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves 218-222. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.viii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ix / Chapter PART A --- "INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY" / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION / The evolution process --- p.1 / The Third Wave --- p.2 / The local market place --- p.4 / The quest for knowledgeable practitioners --- p.5 / Chapter II. --- OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY / Decision making objectives --- p.7 / Research objectives --- p.9 / Organization of research content --- p.10 / Methodology --- p.12 / Chapter PART B --- RESULTS / Chapter III. --- ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS FOR DIRECT MARKETING / The world environment in the view of famous marketers --- p.23 / Demographic changes in Hong Kong relating to demassification --- p.25 / Communication and transportation --- p.38 / Interpretation --- p.43 / Chapter IV. --- CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT MARKETING AND FEATURES OF FINANCIAL SERVICES / Introduction --- p.45 / Accountability --- p.47 / One-to-one marketing --- p.49 / Scientific orientation --- p.52 / Myths of direct marketing --- p.58 / Comparison with general advertising --- p.61 / Financial services industry --- p.65 / Direct marketing activities in Hong Kong --- p.69 / Chapter V. --- DIRECT MARKETING AS A TOTAL MARKETING CONCEPT / Introduction --- p.74 / Marketing mix and direct marketing --- p.75 / Marketing objective of the graduate card program --- p.76 / Product --- p.77 / Price --- p.78 / Place --- p.79 / Promotion --- p.80 / Evaluation of results --- p.82 / Interpretation --- p.83 / Chapter VI. --- APPLICATION OF DIRECT MARKETING IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY / Introduction --- p.85 / Discussion and analysis --- p.89 / Interview reports --- p.98 / Interpretation --- p.100 / Chapter VII. --- SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR DIRECT MARKETING / Introduction --- p.104 / Interview reports --- p.108 / Times Direct Marketing --- p.109 / Direct Force --- p.115 / Ad-Post --- p.119 / Nat Alan Direct --- p.124 / H K Cable Communications Ltd --- p.130 / Interpretation --- p.138 / Chapter VIII. --- CONSUMERS ' ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS TOWARDS DIRECT MARKETING A CONSUMER SURVEY ON DIRECT MAIL / Introduction --- p.142 / Design of the survey instrument --- p.144 / Observation of results by overall sample --- p.148 / Observation of results by demographic segments and their interactions --- p.166 / Utilization of mail order service for financial services --- p.186 / Comparison between nominal variables and among batches --- p.189 / Cable television --- p.194 / Interpretation --- p.197 / Chapter PART C --- CONCLUSION / Chapter IX. --- LIMITATIONS / Limitations --- p.200 / Environmental factors (ch.3) --- p.201 / Characteristics of direct marketing and features of financial services (ch. 4) --- p.201 / Direct marketing as a total marketing concept (ch. 5) --- p.202 / Application of direct marketing in the financial services industry (ch. 6) --- p.202 / Supportive services for direct marketing (ch.7) --- p.203 / Consumer survey on direct mail (ch. 8) --- p.204 / Chapter X. --- CONCLUSION / Concluding remarks --- p.207 / Recommendations --- p.211 / Summary of Research --- p.216 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.218 / APPENDICES --- p.Appendices 1 to9

This research focused on the relationship between self-esteem and career anchors in the context of career development. The objectives of the study were twofold. The first was to establish the relationship between individuals’ self-esteem (as measured by the Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory) and career anchors (as measured by the Career Orientations Inventory); and the second was to determine if self-esteem significantly predict career anchors. An online survey was administered to a non-probability, convenience sample (n = 77) of full-time individuals, employed adults at managerial and general staff levels, in the South African financial services industry. The sample consisted of predominantly married (58.4%), white (44.2%), females (57.1%) between the ages 35 and 44 years (32.5%). The Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory for Adults (CFSEI 2-AD) and Career Orientations Inventory (COI) were used to gather data. Correlational analysis showed an association between the variables of CFSEI 2-AD and COI. A multiple regression analysis supported that self-esteem predict career anchors. Recommendations were suggested for use by human resource professionals to inform the career development of employees in the South African financial service industry. / Human Resource Management / M. Com. (Human Resource Management)

香港一直被視為一個優秀的國際金融中心。金融業不僅為香港經濟發展的成功作出重大貢獻，同時也產生過多的廢物和污染物，耗盡天然資源。較富裕的金融業專才既是該行業的支柱，他們的行為對社會構成了重大影響。因此，他們的回收行為，減少駕駛和購買綠色產品對改變社會環保現狀有重要作用。 / 過往研究發現，個人價值，對環境的信念，社會規範，心理因素和位置因素對環保行為有一定影響。本研究採用定量和定性的方法重新審視它們的關係。首先向涉及積極財富創造的金融業專才發出二百六十份問卷結構性問卷，然後進行了十次深入訪談，旨在找出他們對回收，駕駛和購買綠色產品的想法和行業的潛規則。研究結果發現，香港的金融專才有良好的環保知識和信念。他們的環保行為會受到某些行業特殊因素所影響，包括較高的馬基維利主義，社會規範個人價值觀，信念和規範和不同類型的行為成本。深入訪談進一步發現，工作效率和長工時也妨礙他們的環保行為。本研究認為促進金融業內環保行為的成功在於以人為本的方法和企業政策的實行。 / Hong Kong has been considered as an excellent international financial center. Finance sector not only greatly contributes to the success of economic development of Hong Kong, but it also depletes the natural resources by producing excessive waste, creating pollutants by driving during the course. The active role of recycling, reduced driving and buying green products of affiuent individual financial profession is essential to change the status-quo and to save the environment as they are the pillars of the sector and their behavior poses a significant influence on the society. / Previous studies indicated that value, belief, norm, psychological factors, job nature and positional factors may contribute to the environmental behavior. This study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine their relations. 260 structured questionnaires were distributed to financial professions involved in active wealth creation, followed by 10 in-depth interviews aimed at finding out the hidden thought of financial professions towards recycling, driving and buying green products.Results indicate that financial professions in Hong Kong have a good environmental knowledge and positive environmental belief. Certain sector specific factors, including high Machiavellianism level, subjective norm, personal values, belief and norm, and different types of cost have a substantial effect on the environmental action.In-depth interviews further demonstrate that efficiency-oriented job nature and long working hour hinder their environmental action. It is suggested that the success of promoting pro-environmental behavior in financial sector lies in humanity approaches and corporate policy. / Lui, Sau Kwan. / Thesis M.Phil. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-185). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 11, October, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africans earning less than Rl 440 per month (18 million adults) and less than R2 880 per month (29 million adults) are regarded as poor and relatively poor respectively. Of the relatively poor, 78% are unbanked, i.e. do not have access to a formal bank account, while 86% of the poor are unbanked. These figures show clearly that commercial banks do not meet the financial needs of many people, especially the poor for savings, credit, transmission and insurance services. Therefore the importance of those institutions that do not form part of the formal financial sector and provide micro savings and micro credit services, generally referred to as micro finance, to the poor at the local level on a sustainable basis. The objective of this research is twofold. Firstly, a review of the literature on micro finance in general to establish the financial needs of the poor, the constraints formal financial institutions face in providing micro financial services and to identify best practice regarding the provision of financial services to the poor in order to be in the position to form an opinion on institutional success. Secondly, to analyse a specific South African micro finance initiative, Financial Services Cooperatives (FSCs), to identify how FSCs relate to the international best practice and to establish whether they are successful in addressing the financial needs of the poor. A FSC is a financial institution through which micro finance services (savings, credit, transmission and insurance) are extended to unbanked households in a rural village. It utilises a community's rules, customs, relationships, knowledge, solidarity and resources combined with formal financial methods and concepts. The FSC is initiated, owned, financed and managed by the villagers themselves. FSCs are registered cooperatives under the Cooperative Act of 1981 and may accept deposits from their members in terms of an exemption from the Bank Act of 1990. Currently, FSCs experience problems in providing credit, transmission and insurance services, preventing them from intermediating between borrowers and savers. After reviewing the above-mentioned international best practice the conclusion reached with regard to FSCs includes the following: FSCs only provide savings services and therefore do not intermediate between borrowers and savers as required for a financial institution. This in tum prevents them from being sustainable. FSCs' failure can be ascribed to the restrictive legislation, unsuccessful regulation and supervision. New legislation is currently under review that will change the landscape for micro finance and specifically for FSCs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaners wat minder as Rl 440 per maand (18 miljoen volwassenes) en minder as R2 880 per maand verdien (29 miljoen volwassenes) word onderskeidelik as arm and relatief arm bestempel. Agt-en-sewentig persent van dié wat relatief arm is, het nie toegang tot 'n formele bankrekening nie, terwyl 86% van dié wat arm is, geen toegang het nie. Hierdie syfers toon duidelik dat kommersiële banke nie aan die finansiële behoeftes, met betrekking tot spaar-, krediet-, transmissie- en versekeringsdienste van baie mense voldoen nie, veral nie die armes nie. Daarom dat instellings wat nie deel vorm van die formele finansiële sektor nie en mikrobesparings en mikro-krediet, algemeen bekend as mikro-finansies, in 'n plaaslike gebied en op 'n volhoubare basis verleen, belangrik is. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is tweeledig: Eerstens, bied dit 'n oorsig oor die mikro-finansiering literatuur ten einde die finansiële behoeftes van die armes te ondersoek en die beperkings wat formele finansiële instellings ondervind om mikro-finansiële dienste te verskaf, aan te stip. Beste praktyk rakende die voorsiening van finansiële dienste aan die armes word geïdentifiseer, om sodoende in 'n posisie te wees om 'n opinie te kan vorm oor institusionele suksesfaktore. Tweedens, om a spesifieke Suid-Afrikaanse mikro-finansiële inisiatief, Finanical Services Cooperatives (FSCs) te ondersoek, ten einde vas te stel hoe hierdie inisiatief vergelyk met internasionale beste praktyk en hoe suksesvol dit is in die voorsiening van finansiële dienste aan die armes. 'n FSC is 'n finansiële instelling waardeur mikro-finansiële dienste (spaar-, krediet-, transmissie- en versekeringsdienste) verskaf word aan diegene in 'n plattelandse nedersetting wat nie toegang tot formele bankdienste het me. FSCs maak gebruik van 'n gemeenskap se reëls, gebruike, verhoudings, kennis, solidariteit en hulpbronne en kombineer dit met formele finansiële metodes en konsepte. Dit is 'n inisiatief van die gemeenskap en word deur die inwoners van die nedersetting besit, finansier en bestuur. FSCs is geregistreerde koëperasies in terme van die Ko-operatiewe Wet van 1981, en mag ook deposito's van hulle lede aanvaar op grand van 'n vrystelling van die Bankwet van 1990. Tans ondervind FSCs probleme in die verskaffing van krediet-, transmissieen versekeringsdienste wat hulle verhoed om as tussenganger tussen leners en spaarders op te tree. Na die oorweging van die internasionale beste-praktyk, kan die volgende gevolgtrekking rakende FSCs gemaak word: FSCs tree nie op as tussenganger tussen leners en spaarders nie, soos vereis word van 'n finansiële instelling nie. Dit beperk gevolglik volhoubaarheid. Die mislukking kan toegeskryf word aan beperkte wetgewing, onsuksesvolle regulering en supervisie. Nuwe wetgewing is tans onder oorweging wat die landskap vir mikro finansiering en veral vir FSCs sal verander.

This study is an in-depth empirical investigation that seeks to compare consumer expectations to perceptions in the delivery of service within community banks in the southern United States. It has as its aim to develop a useful instrument to evaluate service quality by comparing consumer expectations to their perceptions of delivered service. An additional purpose is to determine bank chief executive officers’ ability to predict consumer expectations in the area of service delivery. The theoretical portion of the study focused upon a review of the history of banking in the United States and its subunit, the State of Texas, which is uniquely different from the banking systems of Europe and Asia. The literature was also examined to review service quality and customer satisfaction. In order to examine methods to predict service quality in community banks, an investigation was carried out among consumers of fifteen community banks in the southern United States. The collection of the data was driven by six research hypotheses and involved two questionnaires. One questionnaire ask for customer expectations versus perceptions. A second questionnaire required the chief executive officers of the consumers’ banks to state their perceptions of what their consumers expected in the way of service delivery. The main findings of the research built upon and extended the research by Ittner and Larcker (1996) which noted that the three prime components of customer satisfaction revolved around three specific antecedents—perceived quality, perceived value, and customer expectations, the study strongly reinforced and confirmed the importance of the three antecedents. This study indicated that while expectations are very high, perceptions are also high, but not as high as expectations. Milligan (1995) advanced the idea that it should be obvious that the element of service quality was the primary driver in bank selection, but no confirmation study was made by him or others comparing the five factors (service quality, location, advertising, recommendation of others, and service charges/fees). This study concluded that service quality was the most important factor in the selection of a community bank in the southern United States. With no specific literature relating specifically to bankers’ perceptions of service delivery expectations by consumers, one of the most significant findings in this study noted that 77.3 percent of the responses to the questions indicated a match of bankers’ perceptions with consumers’ expectations. While outcomes indicated that perceptions were equal to or greater than expectations, this does not conclusively prove that satisfactory service quality will tend to be associated with outcomes equal to or above expectations. This could indicate that the customers did not expect much in the way of outstanding service. Based upon results obtained from surveys, there appears to be a high likelihood that a bank could reasonably predict the retention of customers using the overlaid plots that in this study show high expectations and high perceptions. However, this study could not conclusively substantiate that gender, income, and education impact service quality in community banks. Given the limited amount of literature relating to the delivery of service quality by community banks in the United States, this study provides both researchers and practitioners an empirical study of both consumers’ and bankers’ expectations and perceptions of service delivery, which had not been fully explored in the past.

The financial service industry has experienced massive change since the early 1980s. In the past, banks and building societies used to serve their customers' needs differently, but with the removal of many barriers in terms of pricing and various products which the banks and building societies sold their customers, these institutions have brought about changes concerning the expansion of the products and service which they offer to their customers. Today, many financial services encompass the philosophy of implementing marketing programmes which are aimed at looking after their customers and maximizing their satisfaction with the service. The main aim of this study was to investigate customers' perceptions vis-a-vis the service that is provided by ABSA Longmarket Street Branch, in terms of customer satisfaction. More specifically, the objectives were: • To identify customers' expectations in terms of financial services. • To ascertain the perceptions of ABSA customers towards the service ABSA Longmarket Street Branch provides them with. • To measure the gaps between the perceptions and expectations of the service that ABSA provides its customers, using the Servqual Score. • To calculate and measure the score for the five Servqual dimensions. Using the Servqual model to measure expectations in terms of service, i.e. what is expected compared with perceptions of service received, the study focused on ABSA customers who use the Longmarket Street Branch in Pietermaritzburg. Customers felt that brochures would be better when an information is printed in all languages and important messages be displayed on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) screen and be advertised more often on television. Another concern was that customers felt that it is important for the staff to show sincere interest when solving the customers' problems. This can be achieved by keeping the customer informed with the progress of hislher query. It is of the utmost importance to provide the right service at the right time. Another concern raised was that customers need to be reassured that the problem will be solved and dealt with in a professional manner. Customers felt more secure doing their transactions at the branch rather than at the ATMs. They felt more comfortable to talk to people, as this builds long-lasting relationships. The majority of the respondents felt that management must encourage staff to share product knowledge that will help them to deliver a better quality of work. The study shows that there is a lack of individual attention when the staff deals with customers. Giving the customer undivided attention, being patient and calling them by their names, to make them feel welcome and acknowledged, can improve this. There is a necessity for the branch to extend working hours to accommodate everyone. The branch has to consider offering facilities such as the Internet and telephone banking, to make banking simple and convenient to everyone at home. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))-- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / A quantitative research study was conducted in order to obtain insight and knowledge of the perceptions of management with regard to changes taking place within the Financial Services Sector (FSS). The call centre at Sanlam Head Office in Bellville was used as a case study, and focus was primarily with first line managers at the call centre. The motivation for the study stemmed from the researcher’s experience within the FSS coupled with introduction of legislation for financial service providers. The ultimate objective of the study is to provide generic guidelines of how managers should respond to change on various and different levels and to equip managers with tools to apply during change phases and cycles within the organization. The literature review covers areas that releates to how managers responded to change in areas of leadership, culture, structure and legislation. Changes in these four areas were researched from different authors that specialize in organizational development, leadership development, organizational change and legislation. These ideas and perspectives from a range of South African and international writers gave the researcher an opportunity to conceptualize change, in general, and to provide a clearer understanding of generic competencies that are required to deal with it. Some models of how to deal with resistance to change and key success factors in dealing with it, are discussed. The researcher elected to work with managers at the Sanlam call centre, since they experience and are directly exposed to implementation of change at grassroots level. Results of the research confirm that dealing with change is a challenging experience for managers. A participatory management approach will result in less resistance from employees. The investigation also recommends that deciding on a vision with all key role players is not a once-off occurrence, but should be revisited, realigned and adjusted as the need arises within the organization. Furthermore, the results confirm that soft skill training and development such as conflict and diversity management should be implemented during the diversity and the changing face of the workplace. The main objective and recommendation is that managers should relook and revisit their management styles, involve all role players during decision making processes, and value and appreciate employee’s inputs and ideas.

The Retail Distribution Review (RDR) was introduced by the Financial Services Board (FSB) to change the distribution and remuneration practices in the financial services industry in an attempt to ensure that clients receive fair treatment when purchasing financial products. The FSB aims to ensure that clients are sold products which are suitable for their financial needs and objectives; that clients receive appropriate advice which is not biased and not subject to product supplier influence in particular and that there is full transparency in the sales process. The current distribution of financial products and some financial advisor remuneration models are noted as contributing factors to the poor outcomes of current product selling practices. The impact of RDR on the sustainability of the South African financial services industry and advisor force is expected to be substantial, especially in terms of advisor remuneration, the reduction in qualified experienced advisors and a growing advice gap. This study reviewed the research conducted in the UK and Australia where RDR has been implemented and the impact thereof on the financial planning industry in these countries. This study aimed to determine if the South African advisors have started changing their business models to ensure that they are ready for the implementation of RDR and to reduce the impact of RDR on their practices. An environmental scan was conducted in order to identify and understand other factors specific to the South African context which will impact the financial services industry in the future. Research was conducted via online questionnaires as well as personal interviews to determine the perception of clients pertaining to the trustworthiness and professionalism of financial advisors and what they perceive as value in terms of financial planning, their knowledge of RDR and the changing environment. Industry experts were given the opportunity to share their views regarding the impact of RDR on the industry as well as their proposals in terms of the implementation and roll-out of RDR.

Abstract  Title: Social Media Content to Build B2B Relationships – An Exploratory Study of Customers to SMEs on the Californian Business Market for Financial Services  Faculty: School of Business and Economics at Linnaeus University  Program: The Business Administration and Economics Programme  Course: 4FE63E – Degree Project in Marketing, The Business Administration and Economics Programme, 30 credits, spring 2017  Author: Emma Lickhammer  Mentor: Åsa Lindström  Examiner: Professor Bertil Hultén  Research question: How is social media content engaging for customers on the financial services business market while building relationships?  Purpose: This study aims to interpret how social media content is engaging for business-to-business customers on the SME, financial services market, in terms of relationship building. It also intends to assist Xennial BZ Solution with advice to a basis of decision-making while executing their relationship marketing strategy on social media.  Methods: This thesis has been conducted as a qualitative cross-sectional study with an exploratory purpose and an inductive approach. The data has been collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through a qualitative data analysis.  Result and conclusions: I conclude that social media presence engages customers on the financial services business market in relationship building if right content is created on right platforms to right customers. It appeared in the result that customers use social media in the information-seeking process and in the interaction process and that successful integration and understanding of the platforms contribute to higher response rates, which promotes relationship building.  Delimitations: This study aims to focus on customers on the Californian market for financial services, which delimits the scope of this study. It is also delimited to only cover SMEs and might therefore not be relevant for larger organizations. This thesis is also delimited to just focus on selected social media platforms and might therefore not be applicable to all situations.  Theoretical and practical contributions: The theoretical contribution from this thesis fills the knowledge gap concerning how social media content engages customers on the financial iv  services business market to build relationships. The practical contribution is given by this thesis to provide Xennial BZ Solution with recommendations regarding how they should implement social media content in their relationship marketing strategy.  Key words: business-to-business, financial services, financial services marketing, SMEs, social media, social media marketing, content marketing, customer engagement.