Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research report is a case study of a rural agricultural cooperative bank, the People’s National Cooperative Bank (NPCB). The NPCB has its foundations in the early 1900s and today operates 37 branches across the island of Jamaica. Notwithstanding its history, the NPCB has continued to suffer from issues related to overall profitability and therefore has undergone various transformations and amalgamations of branches over the years. This study involves a comparative analysis of branch performance based on branch-specific financial data. Best and worst practice banks are identified along with their key characteristics in order to pinpoint areas of operations that may benefit from improvement. It is suggested that the variance in the level of efficiency with which resources are employed and incomes earned are factors which affect the level of performance of individual branches. The findings of the research indicate large variations in branch expenses, incomes and lending rates and suggest the need for further examination of branches on a case-by-case basis in order to better facilitate improvements in their respective levels of efficiency.

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